Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Southgate

Man With a Van Southgate is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, visitors and the general public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, deliveries, furniture moves and related services.

Our objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and promote a positive safety culture in all areas of our operations. Health and safety is a core part of how we plan and deliver every removal job, regardless of size or location.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man With a Van Southgate accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the business. Management will:

Ensure that this policy is implemented, communicated and reviewed on a regular basis. Provide appropriate resources, information, instruction, supervision and training so that employees can work safely and competently. Assess risks associated with our activities and implement proportionate control measures to minimise those risks. Maintain vehicles, equipment, tools and work practices in a safe condition and ensure they are suitable for the tasks undertaken. Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised best practice in the removals and transport sector.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and subcontractor has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of those who may be affected by their actions. All workers are expected to:

Follow all safety instructions, training and procedures provided by the company. Use equipment, vehicles, tools and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects without delay. Refrain from engaging in horseplay, unsafe shortcuts or any behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk. Immediately report all accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards to management. Cooperate fully with any health and safety investigations, audits or improvement initiatives.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before each removal or delivery job, risks are assessed and work is planned to minimise hazards. This includes consideration of property access, parking, manual handling requirements, stairways, lifts, lighting, weather conditions and any specific customer needs.

Where risks are identified, appropriate control measures are implemented, such as allocating additional staff, using specialist moving equipment, planning vehicle positioning or adjusting the timing of the work. Risk assessments are reviewed whenever there is a significant change in working practices, equipment, legislation or the nature of the work carried out.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our removals work. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury, Man With a Van Southgate will:

Provide manual handling training covering safe lifting techniques, team lifts and use of handling aids. Use appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets wherever practical. Plan lifts to avoid unnecessary carrying and to use the safest available routes within properties. Avoid single-person lifts of heavy or awkward items where a team lift or mechanical aid is more appropriate. Encourage workers to assess every lift individually and to stop and seek assistance if a load is too heavy, bulky or unstable.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are central to our services and will be operated in a safe and responsible manner at all times. The company will:

Ensure that vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in accordance with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements. Check that drivers hold the correct licences and are competent for the vehicles they operate. Require drivers to comply with road traffic legislation, speed limits and parking restrictions. Plan routes to minimise unnecessary mileage and to consider safe loading, unloading and parking locations. Prohibit driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair judgement or reaction times.

Loading, Unloading and Securing Loads

To protect our staff, customers and other road users, we take particular care when loading and unloading vehicles. We will:

Load vehicles so that weight is distributed safely and within permitted limits. Secure items using straps, ties and other restraints to prevent movement in transit. Protect customer property using appropriate packing materials to reduce the risk of damage. Keep access ways clear during loading and unloading to prevent trips, slips and falls. Take extra care around doorways, stairs, ramps and uneven surfaces.

Customer and Public Safety

During removals and deliveries, we work in homes, offices and shared spaces. We aim to minimise disruption and protect everyone present. This includes:

Maintaining clear communication with customers about the planned work and any necessary safety precautions. Placing equipment and vehicles to avoid unnecessary obstruction of pavements, entrances or driveways. Using warning signals where appropriate when moving large items through communal areas. Working tidily and promptly clearing packaging, waste and trip hazards from work areas.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

All equipment used for removals and lifting will be suitable for the task and inspected regularly. Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing will be provided and must be used as instructed.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man With a Van Southgate provides ongoing training and instruction appropriate to each role, including induction training for new staff and refresher training when needed. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring work practices on site, correcting unsafe behaviours and ensuring that procedures are followed.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly to management. Records will be kept and used to review and improve our safety performance.

Emergency procedures will be followed in the event of fire, serious injury, vehicle collision or other critical incidents. Workers are expected to familiarise themselves with these procedures and to cooperate fully with emergency services where required.

Wellbeing, Fitness for Work and Substance Misuse

We recognise the importance of employee wellbeing and fitness for work. Workers must present themselves fit for duty and inform management of any condition or medication that may affect their ability to perform tasks safely. The use of alcohol or illegal drugs during working hours or prior to a shift, where it may impair performance, is strictly prohibited.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards or the scope of our services. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed as part of our commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety.

By working together and following this policy, Man With a Van Southgate aims to deliver safe, efficient and professional removal services for every customer.