Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Ruislip

Man with Van Ruislip is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with home and office removals, loading and unloading, driving, and related services within our operating area.

Policy Statement

We recognise our responsibility to prevent injury and protect health so far as is reasonably practicable. Health and safety considerations are integral to all planning and delivery of our man and van services. Management will provide the necessary resources, information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that this policy is effectively implemented and regularly reviewed.

Legal Responsibilities

We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, transport regulations and industry guidance applicable to removal and delivery services. Our objective is not only to meet legal requirements but to promote a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety performance across all operations.

Management Responsibilities

Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that:

Risk assessments are carried out for removal jobs, routes and storage tasks.

Safe working procedures are developed, communicated and followed.

All vehicles and equipment used for removals are properly maintained and suitable for their intended purpose.

Incidents, accidents and near misses are reported, recorded and investigated, with corrective actions taken where necessary.

Sufficient time and resources are allocated to plan jobs safely, including complex moves or properties with restricted access.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has a responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff are required to:

Follow all safe systems of work, training and instructions provided.

Use vehicles, trolleys, lifting straps and other equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.

Wear appropriate workwear and personal protective equipment where required.

Report hazards, unsafe conditions and incidents to management without delay.

Refrain from horseplay or unsafe behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk.

Customer and Public Safety

We take reasonable steps to protect customers, neighbours and members of the public during removal and delivery operations. This includes:

Planning loading and unloading to minimise obstruction of pavements, entrances and driveways.

Using safe parking locations for vans and vehicles, with hazard lights and, where appropriate, signage or cones.

Keeping access routes clear of trip hazards such as packing materials, tools and loose items.

Handling customers belongings with care to avoid damage that could present a hazard.

Safe Handling, Lifting and Carrying

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work. To reduce the risk of injury, we will:

Provide manual handling training covering safe lifting techniques, team lifts and use of equipment.

Assess heavy, bulky or awkward items before moving them and plan the safest method.

Use trolleys, dollies, lifting straps and other aids whenever reasonably practicable.

Encourage staff to seek assistance for loads that are heavy or difficult to manoeuvre rather than attempting to lift alone.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our removal vehicles are essential to our services, and their safe use is a priority. We will ensure that:

Drivers are competent, appropriately licensed and familiar with the vehicles they operate.

Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained according to manufacturer and legal requirements.

Loads are secured safely within the vehicle to prevent movement during transit.

Journey planning allows adequate time to avoid rushing, speeding or unsafe driving practices.

Drivers comply with road traffic laws, including restrictions on mobile phone use while driving.

Equipment and Maintenance

We will provide and maintain equipment that is safe and suitable for removal activities, including ramps, trolleys, lifting aids and protective materials. All equipment will be:

Inspected regularly for signs of wear, damage or malfunction.

Removed from service immediately if found to be defective until repaired or replaced.

Used only for its intended purpose and in accordance with training and manufacturer instructions.

Hazardous Items and Restricted Goods

Certain items present additional risks during transport and handling. We will:

Advise customers about items that cannot be carried or that require special arrangements, such as flammable liquids, gas cylinders, chemicals or other hazardous materials.

Handle electrical appliances, tools and sharp objects with extra care, ensuring they are secured and protected.

Refuse to move items that present an unacceptable risk to health, safety or the environment.

Training, Information and Supervision

We are committed to providing appropriate training for all staff involved in removal and delivery work. This includes:

Induction training on company health and safety procedures and safe working methods.

Instruction on manual handling, correct use of equipment and safe loading practices.

Ongoing refresher training where required and when new equipment or procedures are introduced.

Supervision of new or inexperienced staff until they are competent to work independently.

Occupational Health and Welfare

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and will take reasonable steps to protect staff wellbeing by:

Encouraging safe working speeds and regular short breaks during intensive manual handling.

Monitoring workloads to avoid excessive physical strain and fatigue.

Responding promptly to reports of work-related aches, pains or injuries and adjusting duties where appropriate.

Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting

In the event of an accident, injury, fire or other emergency during a removal job, staff must follow established emergency procedures, including:

Ensuring their own safety and that of others as a priority.

Calling the emergency services if required.

Informing management as soon as practicable and preserving the scene where safe to do so.

Completing incident reports so that causes can be investigated and further incidents prevented.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We will monitor our health and safety performance through regular reviews of risk assessments, incident reports and staff feedback. This policy will be reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, to ensure it remains effective and up to date. Any necessary changes will be communicated to all employees.

By working together, management, staff and customers can help ensure that every move carried out by Man with Van Ruislip is completed as safely and efficiently as possible.