Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Wandsworth

Man with Van Wandsworth is committed to providing removal and transport services in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of our customers, employees, contractors and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all stages of our work, from quotation and planning through to loading, transport and delivery.

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this Health and Safety Policy is to define our responsibilities and working practices so that all removal, packing and transport activities are carried out safely and efficiently. The policy applies to all members of staff, including temporary workers and subcontractors, and to all premises and vehicles used in the course of our business operations.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Man with Van Wandsworth accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance. Management will:

Ensure that suitable resources are allocated for health and safety, including training, appropriate equipment and vehicle maintenance. Maintain a clear system of responsibility so that managers and supervisors understand and fulfil their duties. Monitor working practices regularly to confirm that health and safety procedures are followed. Investigate incidents, near misses and complaints, and take corrective action to prevent recurrence. Review this policy on a regular basis and update it where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice and company operations.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. All employees must:

Follow the safety procedures, method statements and instructions provided by the company. Use vehicles, equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately. Avoid taking unnecessary risks when lifting, carrying or moving items. Report accidents, injuries, near misses and unsafe conditions to their supervisor as soon as possible. Cooperate with the company on all matters relating to health and safety, including attending training sessions and assessments.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man with Van Wandsworth undertakes risk assessments for its activities, including home and office removals, packing, loading and unloading, and transporting goods. These assessments identify potential hazards and set out the measures required to control them. Our staff are briefed on relevant risks before starting work at any site and are required to follow the agreed safe systems of work.

Where necessary, site-specific assessments are carried out to consider access routes, staircases, lifts, parking arrangements, loading areas, and any unusual or heavy items. Work will be reorganised, postponed or declined where risks cannot be reduced to an acceptable level.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a central part of removal work, so it is a key focus of our policy. We aim to reduce manual handling risks by planning work carefully, using appropriate equipment and enforcing safe lifting techniques. Employees receive instruction in safe methods of lifting, team lifting, pushing and pulling, and in recognising loads that are too heavy or awkward to move safely.

Equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets is used where appropriate to reduce strain and protect both staff and customers property. Staff are instructed never to lift beyond their capability and to request assistance whenever needed.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

All vehicles used for removal services are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are subject to regular safety checks. Drivers are responsible for completing pre-use checks and reporting any defects immediately. Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit and to avoid injury or damage when doors are opened.

Our drivers are required to follow road traffic laws at all times, including observing speed limits, parking safely, and driving in a manner that reflects the size, weight and load of the vehicle. Routes are planned to minimise risks related to access, congestion and time pressure.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Man with Van Wandsworth provides equipment that is suitable for the tasks undertaken and maintained in good condition. Where personal protective equipment is required, such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing, it must be worn as instructed. Employees must not misuse or modify any equipment or protective items.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We take care to carry out our work in a way that protects customers, visitors and members of the public. This includes maintaining clear walkways, avoiding obstruction of fire exits, and using safe lifting paths. Staff are trained to be aware of trip hazards such as loose cables, rugs or debris and to manage these hazards promptly.

Where work is carried out in shared buildings or busy areas, we coordinate with customers and other users to reduce risks, such as by controlling access to working areas or scheduling work for less busy times.

Handling of Property and Special Items

We recognise that some items, such as fragile goods, heavy furniture, appliances and equipment, may pose additional risks. Staff are trained in safe methods for handling, wrapping and loading such items. Where specialist equipment or additional manpower is required, work is planned accordingly and not rushed.

Training, Information and Supervision

All employees receive induction training on health and safety, including our procedures for manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment and emergency response. Additional training is provided where job roles or equipment change, or where risk assessments identify new hazards.

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that staff understand and apply their training in practice. Refresher training is provided as needed to maintain high standards of safety awareness and performance.

Accidents, Incidents and First Aid

All accidents, injuries and near misses must be reported promptly. We maintain an accident record and investigate incidents to understand their causes and to implement improvements. First aid provisions appropriate to the scale of our operations are available in our vehicles and workplaces, and staff know how to access assistance if required.

Review and Continuous Improvement

Man with Van Wandsworth is committed to continual improvement of its health and safety performance. This policy and the associated procedures are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our activities, legislation or best practice. Feedback from employees and customers is encouraged and is used to strengthen our approach to safe and reliable removal services.

This Health and Safety Policy is communicated to all employees and is available to customers and other interested parties on request.