Man With A Van Health and Safety Policy

This health and safety policy sets out the approach taken by Man With A Van to protect our customers, staff, subcontractors and members of the public during all removal and transport activities. Our services involve manual handling, vehicle use and working in a variety of properties, so a clear and consistent safety framework is essential. This document explains our responsibilities, the standards we follow and the expectations we place on everyone involved in our operations.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property throughout every stage of a move. We aim to identify hazards in advance, reduce risks as far as is reasonably practicable and maintain safe working practices whether we are operating in homes, offices, storage sites or on the road. We are committed to ongoing review of this policy to reflect changes in best practice, legislation and the nature of our services.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this health and safety policy and ensuring that appropriate resources are available to carry it out. This includes providing staff with training, information, supervision and suitable equipment for removal work. Management will regularly assess risks linked to manual handling, loading and unloading, driving, working at height when required and operating in confined or cluttered spaces. Findings from these assessments will be used to improve procedures and minimise risk.

Managers are expected to lead by example by following all safety procedures, prioritising safe working over speed and ensuring that any incident, near miss or hazardous condition is reported and dealt with without delay.

Employee Responsibilities

All team members, including drivers and removal operatives, share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Staff must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for that of others who may be affected by their actions during removal activities. This includes following training, using equipment correctly, reporting defects, and adhering to site-specific safety rules.

Employees must not undertake tasks for which they are not trained or physically capable, particularly in relation to heavy lifting or moving awkward items such as large furniture, appliances or specialist equipment. Any concerns about safety should be raised immediately with a supervisor.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is central to our removal services and is a key area of risk. We recognise the importance of safe lifting techniques and the use of handling aids. Where possible, we will plan moves to minimise the need for heavy manual lifting, for example by disassembling large items, using trolleys or dollies and employing team lifting methods for bulky loads.

All staff receive guidance on safe lifting, including assessing the weight and shape of items, planning the route in advance, keeping loads close to the body, bending at the knees, avoiding twisting and taking regular breaks when handling heavy or repetitive loads. No employee is expected to lift or move an item they believe to be unsafe to handle.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are essential for providing a reliable removal service and must be operated safely at all times. Only authorised and competent drivers are permitted to drive company vehicles. Drivers are expected to follow road traffic laws, drive with care, and adjust their driving for weather conditions, traffic and road type.

Vehicles will be maintained on a regular schedule, with checks on tyres, brakes, lights and securing points. Loads must be evenly distributed and securely fastened to prevent movement during transit. Drivers are responsible for completing basic pre-use checks and reporting any defects or safety concerns so that they can be addressed promptly.

Customer Premises and Site Safety

When working in customer homes, offices or other premises, we will take steps to protect people and property. This includes assessing access routes, stairways, lifts and doorways to identify any particular hazards before moving items. Where needed, we may use protective coverings to reduce the risk of damage or slips.

We will keep work areas as clear as reasonably possible, avoiding obstructing exits and walkways. Customers and visitors may be asked to stay clear of certain areas while heavy items are being moved to reduce the risk of accidents.

Equipment and Personal Protective Gear

Where appropriate, our team will use equipment such as straps, blankets, trolleys and ramps to handle items more safely. All equipment must be inspected regularly and removed from service if damaged or defective. Staff are expected to use any provided personal protective gear in accordance with training and instructions given for specific tasks.

Training and Information

We recognise that competent staff are essential for safe removal operations. Training will cover topics such as manual handling, vehicle safety, hazard awareness, use of equipment and emergency procedures. New staff will receive induction training, and refresher training may be given when roles change, new equipment is introduced or when an incident indicates a need for improvement.

Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported as soon as possible so they can be investigated and any necessary corrective action taken. This helps us to identify underlying causes, update risk assessments and prevent recurrence. Records of accidents and incidents will be maintained and reviewed by management.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage staff to raise concerns, suggest improvements and take part in discussions about health and safety. Feedback from customers is also valued and may be used to refine our procedures. This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains effective and continues to support safe, efficient and professional removal services across our operating area.

Policy Review and Availability

This health and safety policy is communicated to all employees and made available to customers on request. It will be reviewed regularly, and whenever there are significant changes in our activities or relevant regulations, to ensure it reflects current best practice in the removals sector and supports a safe environment for everyone involved in our services.