Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Southborough

Man with Van Southborough is committed to providing a professional removals and transport service that protects the health, safety and wellbeing of our customers, employees, contractors and the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in all aspects of our man and van and removal operations.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and unnecessary risk during every stage of a move or transport job. We aim to identify hazards, manage risks and continually improve our standards so that our staff and customers can rely on a safe, efficient and responsible service.

Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and will provide the resources, information and supervision needed to meet these objectives.

Legal Duties and Responsibilities

We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and accepted industry best practice for removal and transport services. All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of those who may be affected by their actions. Staff must cooperate with the company by following training, instructions and safe systems of work.

No employee is required to carry out any task that they reasonably believe to be unsafe. Any concerns about hazards, unsafe conditions or near misses must be reported to management without delay so that appropriate action can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out proportionate risk assessments for our activities, including domestic removals, small office moves, furniture transport and loading and unloading of vehicles. These assessments consider manual handling, access issues, vehicle movements, use of equipment and any special risks relating to the property or items being moved.

From these assessments we develop safe systems of work that set out how tasks must be planned and completed. Staff are briefed on these procedures and are expected to follow them at all times. Where conditions change on the day of a move, dynamic risk assessment is carried out and work is adapted or paused as necessary.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of man and van and removal services, and is a core focus of our safety arrangements. We:

Provide manual handling training that covers safe lifting techniques, team lifts, use of lifting aids and recognition of personal limits.

Plan moves so that heavy, bulky or awkward items are handled by sufficient staff and, where possible, with appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies and moving straps.

Assess the weight, shape and route before attempting a lift, and avoid unnecessary carrying by using suitable access points and loading positions.

Encourage staff to refuse any lift they believe to be beyond their capability, and to request additional help or alternative methods.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Safe operation of our vans is essential to protect our staff, customers and other road users. We ensure that:

Vehicles are regularly inspected, maintained and cleaned, with defects reported and addressed promptly.

Loads are packed and secured correctly to prevent movement during transit and to avoid damage or instability.

Drivers hold the appropriate licence, follow road traffic laws and adhere to safe driving practices, including appropriate speed, rest breaks and route planning.

Parking, loading and unloading are carried out with consideration for pedestrians, property, driveways and access routes.

Customer Premises and Site Safety

Our teams work in a variety of homes, offices and other premises. To keep everyone safe, we:

Inspect access routes, stairs, lifts, doorways and outdoor areas on arrival and throughout the move.

Take reasonable steps to reduce trip and slip hazards, such as keeping routes clear of packing materials and using protective coverings where practical.

Use appropriate lifting and carrying methods for moving items up and down stairs or through tight spaces, and may temporarily remove doors or fittings where agreed and safe to do so.

Coordinate with customers about pets, children and other occupants so that movements can be managed safely.

Equipment and Protective Measures

Where appropriate for the task, our staff use equipment and protective measures which may include gloves, protective footwear, moving blankets, straps, trolleys and ramps. All equipment is selected, used and maintained with safety in mind, and any faults are reported immediately. Staff are trained in the correct use and limitations of equipment so that it is used only for suitable loads and conditions.

Training, Supervision and Competence

We provide initial and ongoing training relevant to each role, including manual handling, safe loading, customer premises awareness and incident reporting. New staff are supervised and supported until they are assessed as competent. Periodic reviews, briefings and toolbox talks are used to refresh knowledge and share lessons learned from previous jobs.

Incident, Accident and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, damage and near misses that occur during our operations must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We record these events, investigate causes and implement corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence. Where necessary, we will also review and update risk assessments and procedures.

Wellbeing and Fitness for Work

Manual and driving work can be physically and mentally demanding. We expect all staff to present for work fit, rested and not under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair their ability to work safely. Employees are encouraged to report any health concerns that might affect their ability to lift, carry or drive safely so that adjustments can be considered.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. This policy and our related procedures are reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, vehicles, equipment or legal requirements. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and used to refine our approach.

This Health and Safety Policy applies to all operations carried out by Man with Van Southborough and is made available to employees, customers and interested parties on request.