Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Church End

Man with Van Church End is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in all removal and transportation activities carried out by our company.

Our services involve the handling, loading, transport, and unloading of household and commercial items. These activities can present risks if not managed correctly. We therefore treat health and safety as a core part of our day-to-day operations and decision-making.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The aims of this health and safety policy are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property, and avoidable disruption to our removal services. We seek to identify potential hazards in advance, control risks to the lowest level reasonably practicable, and promote a positive safety culture throughout the organisation.

Our objectives are to:

Promote safe systems of work for all removal and transport tasks. Ensure staff are trained and competent in manual handling, safe driving, and equipment use. Provide vehicles and equipment that are properly maintained and suitable for the tasks undertaken. Protect customers and the public from risks arising from our activities. Comply with applicable health and safety laws and recognised industry good practice.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that adequate resources, training, and supervision are provided.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for:

Planning removal work with safety in mind. Conducting and reviewing risk assessments. Providing clear instructions and information to staff. Monitoring compliance with this policy and taking corrective action where required.

Employees and contractors are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Following training, safe working procedures, and instructions. Using equipment and vehicles safely and reporting defects immediately. Reporting accidents, incidents, near misses, and hazards without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting any removal or delivery task, appropriate risk assessments are carried out. These consider the nature of the items being moved, access routes, vehicle loading, traffic conditions, and the presence of customers or the public.

Where significant risks are identified, control measures are put in place. These may include using additional staff, applying specific lifting techniques, using suitable equipment, planning alternative routes, or adjusting the schedule to avoid unsafe conditions.

Safe working practices are documented and communicated to all staff. These are reviewed regularly to take account of changes in our services, equipment, or legal requirements.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Removal work often involves lifting, carrying, and manoeuvring heavy or awkward items. To reduce the risk of injury, the company:

Trains staff in correct manual handling techniques, including team lifting, use of posture, and recognition of personal limits. Encourages the use of mechanical aids such as sack trucks, trolleys, and lifting straps wherever appropriate. Plans lifting tasks in advance, including the safest route, potential obstacles, and the need for additional operatives. Avoids single-person lifting of items that are excessively heavy or awkward whenever reasonably practicable.

Staff are expected to refuse unsafe lifts and to request assistance or equipment where needed.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to the removal services we provide and must be operated safely at all times. The company:

Ensures vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained in a roadworthy condition. Requires drivers to hold the appropriate driving licence, be medically fit to drive, and follow all road traffic rules. Provides guidance on safe loading, securing of loads, and weight limits to prevent instability or damage in transit. Encourages defensive driving, adherence to speed limits, and avoidance of distractions while driving.

Drivers must complete pre-use checks, report defects immediately, and not operate any vehicle they believe to be unsafe.

Customer, Public, and Property Protection

We recognise our duty to protect customers, visitors, and members of the public from risks associated with our removal activities.

To achieve this, we:

Plan access and exit routes to avoid trip hazards and obstructions. Use appropriate lifting and moving techniques to minimise the risk of damage to property. Keep work areas as tidy as reasonably practicable, especially in shared corridors, pavements, or driveways. Communicate clearly with customers about the timing and nature of work so they can keep clear of high-risk areas.

Where conditions present increased risk, such as narrow staircases or uneven pathways, additional precautions are considered before work proceeds.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All staff involved in removal and transport work receive appropriate induction and role-specific training. This includes, as relevant, manual handling, safe operation of equipment, working at height where necessary, vehicle safety, and emergency procedures.

Training needs are reviewed periodically and whenever there is a significant change in work activities, equipment, or legislation. Refresher training is provided where required to maintain competence and awareness.

Supervision levels are set according to the complexity and risk level of the work. Less experienced staff are given additional oversight until they can demonstrate safe and competent performance of their duties.

Equipment, Personal Protective Equipment, and Maintenance

All equipment supplied by the company, including trolleys, lifting aids, and securing straps, is selected for suitability and maintained in good condition. Defective or damaged equipment is removed from service immediately.

Where risk assessments identify a need for personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear or gloves, this is provided and its use is required. Staff are responsible for using PPE correctly and reporting any defects.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Arrangements

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to management. We maintain records of such events and investigate them to identify root causes and implement corrective measures.

Emergency arrangements are in place for dealing with incidents such as road traffic accidents, personal injury, fire at customer premises, or sudden health problems of staff or customers. Staff are briefed on what to do in an emergency, including how to make the situation safe, contact emergency services where needed, and notify the company.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

We monitor our health and safety performance through incident reports, feedback from staff and customers, vehicle and equipment checks, and periodic review of risk assessments.

This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly, and at least annually, to ensure it remains suitable and effective for our removal services. Changes in legislation, industry practice, or the nature of our work may lead to updates, which are communicated to all relevant personnel.

By following this policy, Man with Van Church End aims to ensure that removals and related services are carried out safely, responsibly, and with proper care for everyone affected by our activities.