Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Westminster Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Westminster is committed to providing removal and transportation services in a manner that safeguards the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers and the public. This policy sets out our overall approach to managing health and safety risks related to our man and van and removal services, including packing, loading, transport and unloading of goods.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to conduct all activities so that accidents, injuries, ill health and damage to property are prevented as far as is reasonably practicable. We aim to:

Identify and control hazards associated with lifting, carrying, vehicle movements and working in homes, offices and other premises.

Provide our workers with appropriate training, information, supervision and equipment to work safely.

Promote a positive safety culture where everyone accepts responsibility for their own safety and that of others.

Continuously review and improve our health and safety arrangements in line with best practice for the removal industry.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Westminster rests with the company management. Management will ensure that suitable arrangements, procedures and resources are in place to comply with current health and safety requirements and to protect all persons affected by our operations.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy on a day-to-day basis, including planning work safely, communicating relevant instructions and ensuring that risk controls are followed on each job.

Employees and contractors must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their actions. All workers are required to follow safety procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards and near misses, and cooperate with any instructions given in the interest of safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man with Van Westminster will carry out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for our activities. These assessments will consider risks associated with manual handling, use of lifting equipment, driving and parking, access to premises, working in confined or cluttered spaces, and handling of customers belongings.

Safe systems of work will be developed and communicated to all staff. This includes guidance on planning routes and loading, lifting and carrying, stacking and securing items in vehicles, operating equipment, and managing work on stairs, ramps or uneven surfaces.

Risk assessments and procedures will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, equipment or work locations.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core activity in our removal services and is managed to reduce the risk of injury. Staff will receive appropriate instruction in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, use of handling aids and the importance of assessing each load before moving it.

Where reasonably practicable, handling aids and equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, straps or protective covers will be used to reduce strain and protect goods and property. All equipment will be maintained in good condition and used only by trained personnel.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

All vehicles used for our man and van services must be roadworthy, regularly inspected and maintained. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic pre-use checks, reporting defects immediately and not operating any vehicle they believe to be unsafe.

Loads must be planned and secured carefully to prevent movement during transit. Weight limits will not be exceeded and loads will be distributed evenly to maintain vehicle stability.

Drivers are expected to comply with road traffic laws, drive courteously and adjust their driving to account for load, weather, traffic and urban conditions in our service area. Fatigue management is taken seriously and drivers must not work when unfit to drive due to tiredness, illness or any impairment.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams frequently work in customers homes, business premises and shared spaces. We will take reasonable steps to prevent damage and protect the safety of everyone present during a move.

Where possible, clear routes will be identified and maintained for carrying items, with trip hazards and obstructions reduced. Particular care will be taken on stairs, in communal areas and at entrances and exits.

Where necessary, our staff may request that customers, family members, visitors or pets keep clear of working areas while heavy items are being moved, to avoid accidental contact or injury.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Westminster will provide appropriate induction and ongoing training to all staff, relevant to their role and level of responsibility. This includes instruction on manual handling, safe use of vehicles and equipment, incident reporting and emergency arrangements.

Supervision will be provided to ensure that new or less experienced workers are supported until they are competent in all required tasks. Safety information and procedures will be communicated clearly and updated as necessary.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, injuries, near misses and damage to property must be reported as soon as practicable to management. This allows us to investigate causes, record findings and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Our teams are briefed on how to respond to emergencies such as fire, serious injury, vehicle collisions or sudden illness. Emergency contact details and relevant information will be available in our vehicles or job documentation.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We recognise that effective health and safety management is achieved through cooperation and open communication. Employees are encouraged to raise safety concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about working practices.

Man with Van Westminster will periodically review this policy, our risk assessments and procedures to ensure they remain appropriate, effective and aligned with the nature and scale of our removal operations. Lessons learned from incidents, customer feedback and staff suggestions will be used to improve our approach to health and safety.

Policy Review and Availability

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our business activities or in relevant guidance and best practice. The policy is available to all employees, contractors and customers on request and is intended to demonstrate our commitment to a safe and responsible removal service.