Man with Van Hatch End Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Hatch End is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our customers, employees, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety policy explains how we manage risks associated with removals, deliveries and related services and how we aim to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent accidents, protect the wellbeing of our team and customers, and minimise risks during all removal and transport activities. We will plan and carry out work so that it is safe, efficient and considerate of our surroundings, whether operating in residential areas, commercial premises or public spaces.

We recognise our legal duty to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and to follow industry best practice at all times. We also expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.

Responsibilities and Management

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Hatch End rests with the company management. Management will provide appropriate resources, information, instruction and supervision to ensure that this policy is effectively implemented and maintained.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day to day safety on jobs, including carrying out checks, directing staff, reporting hazards and ensuring that agreed procedures are followed. All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Every member of our team is required to cooperate with health and safety measures, use equipment correctly, follow manual handling guidelines and immediately report any unsafe conditions, incidents or near misses.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man with Van Hatch End conducts ongoing assessments of the risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading, transportation, parking and working in or near public spaces. Before work begins, our team will assess relevant risks at each location, including access routes, stairways, lifts, doorways, parking arrangements and any unusual items or obstacles.

Where significant risks are identified, we will take appropriate measures to reduce them. This may include adjusting work methods, using additional equipment, allocating more staff, reconfiguring access routes or, in rare cases, postponing work until it can be carried out safely.

Safe systems of work are communicated to our staff and reviewed regularly. We aim to continually improve our processes in line with experience and best practice within the removals and transport sector.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling tasks are at the core of our work. To prevent injury, our staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, load assessment and the correct use of handling aids. Employees must never attempt to lift or move items that are beyond their capability or that cannot be handled safely with the equipment available.

We use appropriate moving equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, blankets and protective covers to minimise strain and protect both people and property. All vehicles and equipment are to be used only for their intended purpose and in accordance with training and instructions given by management.

Any defects or damage to vehicles, ramps or other equipment must be reported immediately so that they can be repaired or removed from service.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic vehicle checks, ensuring loads are secure and driving in a safe, considerate manner at all times.

Loads are positioned and restrained so that they cannot move during transit. Overloading is not permitted. Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, including speed limits and parking regulations, and must not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair their ability to drive safely.

Where parking or access is restricted, our team will assess the safest possible arrangement, taking into account other road users and pedestrians.

Customer and Public Safety

We take care to ensure that customers, their families, employees and members of the public are not put at risk by our activities. Our team will plan routes for carrying items that minimise congestion and avoid unnecessary hazards.

During loading and unloading, customers are requested to keep clear of handling operations, stairs and vehicle access points. Where necessary, our staff may temporarily restrict access to certain areas to allow large or heavy items to be moved safely.

We are mindful of noise, obstruction and general disruption in residential streets and busy public areas and will work to keep any inconvenience to a minimum while still maintaining safe working practices.

Protection of Property and Premises

In addition to protecting people, Man with Van Hatch End takes reasonable steps to protect property, fixtures and fittings from damage. We may use protective covers, floor runners and corner guards where appropriate, and we will handle items with care and attention.

Any pre-existing damage or fragile areas that could be affected by removal work should be pointed out to our team before work starts. This allows us to assess the risk and take additional precautions where feasible.

Training, Information and Communication

Our staff receive training relevant to their roles, including manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, basic first aid awareness and the specific requirements of removal work. Training needs are reviewed regularly and refreshed as required.

Health and safety information is communicated through briefings, instructions before each job and ongoing supervision. Employees are encouraged to raise any health and safety concerns so that they can be addressed promptly.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents and near misses involving our staff, vehicles, customers or the public during the course of our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will record these events, investigate where appropriate and take action to prevent recurrence.

Where required, we will cooperate with relevant authorities and provide information related to any investigation. Lessons learned from incidents are used to improve our procedures, training and risk assessments.

Review of this Policy

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective and reflective of current legislation and best practice in the removals industry. It may be updated following significant changes to our operations, after serious incidents or when improvements are identified.

Man with Van Hatch End is dedicated to continual improvement in health and safety performance and expects all employees, contractors and customers to support the aims of this policy and to work together to maintain a safe environment for everyone involved.