Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van New Addington
Man with Van New Addington is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our workers, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our house removals, office moves and general man and van services. This Health and Safety policy sets out our aims, responsibilities and procedures to prevent accidents, protect property and promote safe working practices during all removal activities.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We recognise that removal work, including lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and transporting goods, presents specific hazards. We are committed to managing these hazards proactively so that our removal teams and customers can rely on a safe, professional service.
To achieve this, we will continually seek to identify risks, implement appropriate control measures and review our working practices. Health and safety is regarded as an integral part of service quality, not as a separate activity.
Roles and Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van New Addington rests with the company management. Management will provide clear guidance, resources and supervision to support safe removal operations.
All workers, whether permanent, temporary or subcontracted, are responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. This includes following safe systems of work, using equipment correctly, reporting hazards and cooperating fully with health and safety procedures.
Customers also have a role in supporting safe operations by providing accurate information about access, items to be moved and any known risks at the collection and delivery addresses.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We will assess foreseeable risks associated with our removal services and implement proportionate control measures. Typical assessments cover manual handling, vehicle movements, working in confined or shared spaces, use of lifting equipment and handling fragile or bulky items.
Before each job, drivers and removal operatives consider the specific conditions at the property, including parking, access routes, staircases, tight corners, floor conditions and weather. Where risks are identified, the team will adjust the work method, request assistance, or, if necessary, refuse unsafe requests that would put people or property at unacceptable risk.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and a key focus of our safety measures. Our workers are instructed in safe lifting techniques, such as assessing the load, planning the route, using suitable lifting aids and adopting correct posture.
We avoid unnecessary lifting by using appropriate equipment, such as trolleys, dollies and straps, wherever reasonably practicable. Heavy or awkward items are lifted by two or more workers or handled using equipment designed to reduce strain. We do not ask workers to lift items that exceed safe limits or that cannot be handled safely within the available space.
Where dismantling furniture or equipment reduces the risks of manual handling, and where this is part of the agreed service, it will be carried out before moving. Workers are encouraged to speak up if a lift feels unsafe or beyond their capability.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are essential to our removal work and must be operated safely at all times. Drivers are expected to hold the appropriate driving licence, comply with road traffic laws and drive in a courteous and defensive manner.
Loads are secured within the vehicle to prevent movement during transit. This includes using straps, blankets and other securing devices suitable for the type of goods being carried. Overloading is strictly prohibited, and vehicles are loaded within manufacturer and legal weight limits.
Vehicles are inspected regularly for roadworthiness, including tyres, lights, brakes and securing points. Any defects or concerns are reported promptly and rectified before the vehicle is used for removal work.
Safe Use of Equipment and Protective Measures
We select and use equipment that is suitable for the type of removal work undertaken. This may include sack trucks, platform trolleys, lifting straps, protective blankets and corner protectors. Equipment is checked for damage or defects before use, and damaged items are taken out of service until repaired or replaced.
Where appropriate, workers are provided with and encouraged to use personal protective equipment such as safety footwear and gloves. Workers are expected to keep equipment tidy and stored safely to prevent tripping hazards.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, neighbours and passers-by during removal operations. Our workers take care to maintain clear walkways, control trailing cables or straps, and avoid leaving items or equipment in unsafe positions.
Where there is a risk to the public, for example when loading on or near a road or shared pathway, the team will take reasonable steps to warn others and minimise obstruction. If conditions are unsuitable or dangerous, work may be temporarily stopped until a safer arrangement is in place.
Within customer premises, floors and staircases are checked for hazards such as loose coverings, spills or poor lighting. The team will work with the customer to manage these hazards where possible. We treat all properties with respect, aiming to prevent damage to walls, doors, floors and fixtures through careful handling and use of protective materials.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide our workers with information and guidance on safe working methods relevant to our removal services. This includes manual handling practices, vehicle safety, use of equipment, emergency procedures and customer care.
New workers receive induction into our safety expectations and working practices. Ongoing supervision and on-the-job guidance support consistent safe behaviour. Where lessons are learned from incidents or near misses, these are shared to prevent recurrence.
Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses
All accidents, incidents, near misses and damage to property that occur during removal work must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We record and review these reports to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
Where appropriate, we will cooperate with any external investigations and inform customers of relevant findings that may affect their property or future work.
Emergency Arrangements
Our workers are instructed on how to respond to emergencies such as fire, injury, sudden illness, road traffic incidents or dangerous situations at customer premises. The immediate priorities are to protect life, contact the appropriate emergency services where needed and make the area safe.
After any emergency, work will only recommence when it is safe to do so. The incident will be reviewed so that additional preventive measures can be introduced if required.
Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, working methods, fleet or legal requirements. We invite feedback from workers and customers on safety matters and will consider reasonable suggestions for improvement.
By following this policy and working together, Man with Van New Addington aims to deliver removal services that are not only efficient and reliable but also safe for everyone involved.
