Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Mile End
Man with Van Mile End is committed to providing safe, reliable and professional removal services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out how we protect our workers, customers, contractors and members of the public while carrying out moving, loading, transportation and delivery activities across our service area.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and unsafe situations during all removal and transport work. We aim to:
Identify and control risks associated with lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and driving activities.
Provide and maintain safe equipment and vehicles suitable for removal services.
Ensure that workers are trained and competent for the tasks they perform.
Promote a safety-focused culture where hazards are reported and addressed promptly.
Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised good practice for the removals industry.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the management of Man with Van Mile End. Management will ensure that this policy is implemented, reviewed and communicated to all personnel involved in our services.
Workers and contractors are responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety, cooperating with safety procedures, using equipment correctly and immediately reporting any hazards, defects, near misses or incidents.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We assess the risks associated with removal work, including manual handling, working in confined spaces such as stairwells, driving and parking in busy areas, and handling bulky or fragile items. Where required, site-specific assessments are carried out before work begins.
Findings from risk assessments are used to define safe working practices, such as the number of personnel required for a move, appropriate use of moving equipment, and methods for handling heavy or awkward items. These practices are communicated to workers so that tasks are planned and completed safely.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key element of our services and is managed carefully. We will:
Train workers in correct lifting techniques and posture.
Avoid single-person lifts for heavy or awkward items where reasonably practicable.
Use suitable lifting aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and ramps whenever appropriate.
Plan loading routes to minimise carrying distances, trip hazards and unnecessary stair use.
Stop and review any lift or move that appears unsafe, and adjust the method or manpower before proceeding.
Use and Maintenance of Vehicles and Equipment
Our vehicles and equipment are essential to safe removal operations. We commit to:
Keeping vehicles roadworthy with regular checks, inspections and servicing.
Ensuring that loading areas are kept organised and that loads are correctly distributed and secured.
Inspecting lifting equipment, ramps and other tools before use and removing defective items from service.
Using appropriate securing methods such as straps and blankets to protect goods and prevent movement in transit.
Driving, Parking and Transport Safety
Safe driving is central to protecting our staff and the public. Drivers must:
Hold the appropriate driving licence and be medically fit to drive.
Follow speed limits, road signs and all traffic regulations.
Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medication that impairs driving.
Plan routes to avoid unnecessary risks, considering height, width and weight restrictions.
Park and unload in a way that minimises obstruction and maintains safe access for pedestrians and other road users.
Customer and Public Safety
We recognise that removals often take place in occupied homes, shared buildings and busy streets. To protect customers and the public we will:
Keep access routes as clear as possible during loading and unloading.
Use caution signs or verbal warnings where there is a risk of trips, falls or moving loads.
Supervise children and pets indirectly by requesting that customers keep them away from working areas whenever reasonably possible.
Handle all items with care to avoid damage that could create hazards, such as broken glass or sharp edges.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide workers with information and instruction on safe methods of work, including manual handling techniques, vehicle loading, use of equipment and emergency procedures. New workers receive an introduction to our health and safety standards before starting operational duties.
Supervision is proportionate to the risks and the skills of the personnel involved, with less experienced workers receiving closer guidance during removal tasks.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences arising from our work must be reported as soon as possible to management. We will record, investigate and, where necessary, review our procedures following any incident in order to prevent recurrence.
Workers are briefed on basic emergency procedures, including what to do in case of fire, serious injury, spillage or road traffic collision during a removal job. Where required, emergency access routes are kept clear throughout the duration of the work.
Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work
We recognise the physical nature of removal work and aim to protect the welfare of our workers by:
Encouraging adequate rest breaks and hydration, especially during demanding jobs or extreme weather conditions.
Discouraging unsafe rushing or shortcuts that increase the risk of injury.
Requesting that workers inform management of any health conditions that may affect their ability to carry out specific tasks safely, so that adjustments can be considered.
Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and following any significant change in our activities, legislation, equipment or incident trends. Feedback from workers and customers is taken into account to improve our safety performance.
By following this policy, Man with Van Mile End seeks to provide safe, dependable and responsible removal services across our operating area, protecting everyone involved in or affected by our work.
