Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Merton

Man with Van Merton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with household and commercial removals, loading and unloading, driving, and on-site activities.

We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property during the course of our work.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our key health and safety objectives are to:

Identify and control hazards associated with removal and van services.

Prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health.

Protect customers, the public, and third parties while we carry out work at homes, offices, and other sites.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, and systems of work.

Provide information, instruction, and training to our workforce to enable them to work safely.

Continually improve our health and safety performance through regular review.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who will ensure that this policy is implemented, maintained, and reviewed regularly. Management is responsible for:

Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out and that appropriate control measures are in place.

Providing suitable equipment, including vans, trolleys, lifting aids, and protective equipment.

Ensuring staff receive adequate training and supervision.

Monitoring health and safety performance and investigating accidents or near misses.

All employees, drivers, and porters are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others.

Following company procedures and safe working practices at all times.

Using equipment properly and reporting defects immediately.

Reporting accidents, incidents, and any unsafe conditions to management.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Man with Van Merton will identify hazards associated with each job, including access issues, heavy or awkward items, parking restrictions, and any particular risks at the collection or delivery address. We will:

Carry out risk assessments proportionate to the nature of the work.

Plan jobs in advance to reduce manual handling risks and avoid unnecessary lifting.

Use appropriate equipment such as sack barrows, straps, blankets, and lifting aids whenever reasonably practicable.

Establish safe loading and unloading procedures to avoid slips, trips, falls, and crush injuries.

Consider weather conditions, lighting, and traffic where we are working on or near the road.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our removal services and can present a risk of injury if not managed correctly. To reduce these risks, we will:

Provide manual handling training to staff, including correct lifting techniques and team lifting methods.

Encourage staff to assess loads before lifting and to refuse to lift items that are unsafe or beyond their capability.

Use two or more operatives for heavy, bulky, or awkward items such as furniture, appliances, and office equipment.

Use lifting aids and trolleys where possible to reduce strain and the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.

Ensure walkways, stairs, and access routes are clear of obstacles to allow safe carrying of items.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vans and vehicles are critical to safe and reliable removal services. We are committed to:

Maintaining all vehicles in a roadworthy condition with regular checks and servicing.

Ensuring drivers hold the appropriate licence, are competent, and follow safe driving practices at all times.

Planning routes to allow sufficient time and to avoid unnecessary stress or pressure that may lead to unsafe driving.

Loading and securing items safely within the vehicle to prevent shifting loads, damage to property, or injury.

Following parking rules and working safely when loading or unloading near roads and driveways.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We will ensure that all tools and equipment used for removal work are suitable, maintained, and used correctly. Where required, staff will be provided with appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, and high-visibility clothing. Employees must:

Use equipment only for its intended purpose and in accordance with instructions.

Inspect equipment before use and report any damage or defects immediately.

Wear any personal protective equipment provided when the task requires it.

Customer and Public Safety

We will take care to protect customers, neighbours, visitors, and members of the public during our work by:

Maintaining clear access routes and avoiding blocking exits and entrances.

Minimising noise, dust, and disruption where reasonably practicable.

Taking extra care when moving items through communal areas, stairwells, corridors, and shared spaces.

Communicating clearly with customers about timing, access, and any safety considerations during the move.

Accidents, Incidents, and First Aid

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will:

Record and investigate incidents to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Provide basic first aid provision appropriate to the scale of our operations.

Encourage a culture of open reporting without blame, so that safety concerns can be addressed promptly.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man with Van Merton will ensure that all employees receive suitable and relevant health and safety training, including induction training, manual handling, safe driving, and site-specific procedures where required. Ongoing training and refresher sessions will be provided as needed. Supervisors and experienced staff will:

Provide guidance to new or less experienced workers.

Monitor working practices to ensure compliance with this policy.

Correct unsafe behaviour or practices promptly.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, and the nature of our services. We will use feedback from staff, customers, and incident investigations to improve our procedures and reduce risks.

All employees are required to familiarise themselves with this policy and to cooperate fully in its implementation. By working together, we can ensure that our removal services are carried out safely, professionally, and with respect for everyone affected by our operations.