Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Battersea Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Battersea is committed to providing a professional, safe and healthy 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 aims, responsibilities and key procedures to reduce risk and prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment.

Policy Aims and Objectives

Our primary objective is to conduct all removal and transport work in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved. We will identify hazards, assess risks and put in place sensible precautions to control those risks so far as is reasonably practicable.

We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance by regularly reviewing working practices, vehicles, equipment and training. We are committed to complying with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards applicable to removal and transportation services.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that health and safety considerations are integrated into planning, supervision and delivery of all moves. This includes home moves, office relocations, light commercial work and any ad hoc transport tasks.

Management will ensure that:

All staff are informed of this policy and understand their responsibilities. Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for typical removal activities and for any non-routine or higher-risk tasks. Appropriate equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment are provided and maintained in safe working condition. Incidents, near misses, injuries and complaints related to safety are investigated promptly, with corrective actions taken where required.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must cooperate fully with health and safety arrangements and follow all instructions, training and company procedures.

Employees are expected to:

Use vehicles, lifting equipment and tools only as trained and in accordance with instructions. Wear any personal protective equipment provided, such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing, where required by risk assessment. Report hazards, near misses, accidents and defective equipment immediately to management. Refrain from horseplay or any behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk. Never undertake tasks for which they are not trained or which they believe to be unsafe without first consulting management.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will assess risks associated with removal work, including manual handling, loading and unloading vehicles, working in confined stairwells, moving heavy or awkward items, driving and parking, and working in customers homes or business premises.

From these assessments we will develop and apply safe working practices, such as:

Planning the route, access points and parking arrangements in advance where possible. Ensuring floors, stairs and pathways are kept as clear as reasonably practicable while work is carried out. Using correct lifting techniques and team lifts to avoid strain and injury. Using appropriate aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets to protect both staff and customer property. Limiting loads to safe weights and sizes, and breaking down items where practicable. Taking additional care with fragile, sharp or hazardous items, following specific handling guidance where applicable.

Vehicle and Equipment Safety

Our vehicles and work equipment are central to safe operations. We will ensure that all vans and removal equipment are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in accordance with manufacturers instructions and legal requirements.

Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic pre-use checks and reporting any defects or concerns immediately. Loads must be secured properly to prevent movement during transit, and weight limits for vehicles and lifting equipment must never be exceeded. Only trained staff are permitted to drive company vehicles or operate specialised equipment.

Manual Handling and Personal Safety

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and presents a risk of musculoskeletal injuries if not properly controlled. We will provide guidance and training on safe lifting, carrying and team handling methods, with emphasis on assessing the load, planning the lift and using mechanical aids where possible.

Employees are encouraged to speak up if they believe a load is unsafe to move, and alternative methods or additional assistance will be arranged. We recognise that fatigue increases the risk of accidents, and we will organise work to reduce excessive physical strain and ensure adequate rest breaks.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working in or around customers premises, our staff will take all reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors and members of the public. This includes maintaining clear walkways, managing trip hazards such as tools, boxes and packing materials, and using safe systems when moving items through communal areas, corridors and entrances.

We will behave courteously at all times and explain any safety precautions that may temporarily affect access or movement, such as asking customers to remain clear of specific areas while heavy items are being moved.

Training, Information and Supervision

We will provide appropriate induction and ongoing training so that staff understand health and safety risks, safe systems of work and legal responsibilities. Training may include manual handling, safe driving practices, use of equipment, working at height where relevant, and emergency procedures.

Supervision will be proportionate to the level of risk and the experience of the staff member. Less experienced staff will work under closer supervision until they have demonstrated they can work safely and in accordance with this policy.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported as soon as possible. We will keep appropriate records and use this information to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Staff will be briefed on what to do in the event of an emergency, including collisions on the road, injuries during lifting, fires at premises where they are working and any immediate first aid needs. Where necessary, work will stop until it is safe to continue.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We will monitor the effectiveness of this Health and Safety Policy through regular reviews of incidents, feedback from staff and customers, and periodic checks of working practices. Where improvements are identified, procedures and training will be updated accordingly.

This policy will be reviewed at least annually, and more frequently if there are significant changes to our operations, relevant legislation or industry guidance. Man with Van Battersea is committed to fostering a positive safety culture in which everyone takes responsibility for protecting themselves and others during all removal and transport activities.