Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van West Drayton

This Health and Safety policy sets out how Man with Van West Drayton protects the health, safety and welfare of its workers, customers, members of the public and any other people affected by its removal and transport activities. Our company is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment and to continually improving our safety standards in line with best practice for the removals and light transport sector.

Policy Objectives

The objectives of this policy are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, safeguard the public, and comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and guidance. We aim to identify and control risks arising from our operations, with particular focus on lifting and carrying, vehicle movements, loading and unloading, and work carried out in and around customers premises.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are provided for health and safety. This includes the provision of training, suitable equipment, safe systems of work and appropriate supervision. Management will review this policy at regular intervals and whenever significant changes occur in our activities or applicable legal requirements.

Managers and supervisors must ensure that risk assessments are carried out, that control measures are implemented and followed, and that any accidents, incidents or near misses are reported, recorded and investigated. They must also promote a positive safety culture in which workers are encouraged to raise concerns and suggest improvements.

Employee Responsibilities

All workers, whether employed or contracted, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Workers must cooperate with management in implementing this policy, follow safety instructions and training, and use all equipment safely and correctly.

Employees must immediately report any hazards, defects, unsafe practices, accidents or near misses to their supervisor so that corrective action can be taken. Workers must never carry out tasks for which they have not been trained or that they consider to be unsafe, and must request additional assistance or equipment where necessary.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Risk assessments are completed for key activities including manual handling, loading and unloading vehicles, driving and parking, working in confined or shared spaces, and moving goods through stairwells, corridors and other restricted areas. These assessments identify hazards and specify control measures to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

Safe systems of work are established and communicated to workers. These include planning each job in advance, assessing access routes at both collection and delivery points, and using appropriate handling equipment where possible. Where conditions at a site are significantly different from those expected, work will be paused while the risks are reassessed.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and is managed carefully to prevent injuries. Workers receive training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of trolleys, straps and other lifting aids. Loads must be assessed before lifting, considering weight, shape, stability and route. Where an item is too heavy or awkward for safe handling, additional manpower or equipment must be arranged.

Employees are instructed not to take unnecessary risks, not to twist while lifting, and not to carry loads that obstruct their view or prevent secure footing. Regular breaks are encouraged to avoid fatigue during intensive lifting tasks.

Vehicle Safety and Loading

All vehicles used for removal services are maintained in a roadworthy condition in accordance with legal requirements and manufacturer guidelines. Drivers must carry out basic pre-use checks to ensure that tyres, lights, brakes and securing points are in good working order before starting work each day.

Safe loading and securing of goods is critical. Loads must be evenly distributed, properly restrained and checked before and during journeys where appropriate. Heavy items are loaded low and secured firmly to prevent movement. Workers must not travel in the cargo area of vehicles and must always use designated seating with appropriate restraints.

Working at Customer Premises

When working in and around homes, offices or other premises, workers must take care to protect both people and property. Trip hazards such as loose cables, boxes and protective coverings are to be minimised and clearly identified. Access routes should be kept clear and customers informed of any temporary restrictions on movement while large items are being moved.

Where access involves stairs, narrow corridors or shared entrances, the team will assess the safest route and may request that customers keep children, pets and other occupants away from work areas until items have been moved safely.

Use of Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment is provided where necessary based on the task and associated risk. This may include safety footwear, gloves, high-visibility clothing and other protective items. Workers are required to use and look after any protective equipment issued to them and to report loss or damage so that it can be replaced.

Training, Information and Supervision

All workers receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their role. This includes instruction in safe lifting and carrying, vehicle safety, use of handling equipment, awareness of customer property and basic incident reporting. Supervisors ensure that less experienced staff are supported and monitored, particularly when dealing with complex or higher-risk moves.

Safety information and any changes to procedures are communicated promptly so that workers remain aware of current requirements.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported and recorded. Where necessary, prompt first aid and medical assistance will be arranged. Each incident will be reviewed to identify root causes and to implement corrective actions that reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Lessons learned are shared with relevant workers and, where appropriate, procedures are updated.

Customer Responsibilities and Cooperation

Customers are requested to cooperate with our health and safety measures. This includes providing accurate information about access and parking, informing us of any known hazards at the premises, keeping access routes clear, and ensuring that children, pets and other vulnerable people remain at a safe distance from moving operations.

Where parking restrictions apply, customers should arrange suitable parking in advance wherever possible to reduce the need for long carries and to minimise risks associated with vehicle movements near busy roads or shared spaces.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and appropriate to the scale and nature of our man and van and removal activities. We are committed to a process of continuous improvement, using feedback from workers, customers and incident investigations to enhance our systems and standards.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Man with Van West Drayton aims to deliver reliable, efficient and safe removal services for customers across its operating area.