Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Upper Clapton
Man with Van Upper Clapton is committed to providing a professional and safe removal service for our customers, our team members, and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks associated with domestic and commercial moves, transport of goods, loading and unloading, and all related activities.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property arising from our work. We aim to identify, control, and where possible eliminate hazards related to lifting, carrying, driving, loading, unloading, and working in and around customer premises. Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning and delivery for every removal job.
Management is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, maintained, and reviewed regularly. All workers, including drivers, porters, and subcontractors, are required to follow this policy and any safe systems of work communicated to them.
Legal Compliance and Responsibilities
We will comply with relevant health and safety legislation and accepted industry standards for removal and transport services. We recognise our duty to provide a safe working environment, suitable equipment, and appropriate information, instruction, and training.
All team members have a responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. They must cooperate with management in implementing health and safety measures and report hazards, near misses, or incidents without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Work Planning
Before starting work, we assess the risks associated with each removal or transport task. This includes considering access routes, stairways, parking arrangements, traffic conditions, weather, and any specific hazards at the collection and delivery addresses.
We may carry out on-site assessments for complex or high risk moves. Where this is not possible, we obtain detailed information from customers in advance to plan the job safely. If our team identifies unexpected hazards on arrival, they are authorised to pause work until it is safe to continue or alternative arrangements are agreed.
Manual Handling and Lifting Practices
Moving household and business items involves significant manual handling risks. To reduce the likelihood of strain, sprains, and other injuries, we:
Provide training in safe lifting techniques, including team lifts and use of lifting aids where available.
Encourage workers to assess the weight, shape, and stability of items before lifting or moving them.
Use trolleys, dollies, and other handling equipment when suitable and where access allows.
Discourage lone lifting of heavy or awkward items and adjust staffing levels to suit the size and difficulty of each move.
Plan routes to minimise carrying distances and avoid unnecessary steps, slopes, and obstructions.
Working at Height and Use of Stairs
Many removals involve stairs, steps, and occasionally the use of access equipment. Our team:
Assesses staircases, landings, handrails, and lighting before carrying large or heavy objects.
Takes extra care on narrow or steep stairs, and may refuse to move items where the risk is considered unacceptable.
Avoids standing on furniture, unstable surfaces, or makeshift platforms to access higher areas.
Uses safe practices when loading and unloading vehicles to prevent slips, trips, and falls from the vehicle or ramps.
Vehicle Safety and Driving
Our vehicles are essential to delivering a safe and reliable man and van service. We are committed to:
Keeping vehicles in a roadworthy condition through regular checks, servicing, and inspections.
Ensuring drivers hold valid licences and are competent to operate the type of vehicle used.
Planning routes to allow sufficient time, reducing pressure to drive at unsafe speeds or in unsuitable conditions.
Securing loads correctly within the vehicle using straps, blankets, and other protective measures to prevent movement or damage in transit.
Ensuring safe parking and loading locations, taking care to protect pedestrians, property, and other road users.
Household and Site Safety
When working in homes, offices, and other premises, we respect the environment and work to minimise risk to occupants and visitors. This includes:
Keeping access routes clear and tidy to reduce slips, trips, and falls.
Taking care with floors, doorways, and fixtures to avoid damage and related hazards.
Notifying customers promptly if we identify unsafe conditions such as loose flooring, poor lighting, or blocked exits.
Using appropriate methods to protect surfaces and furniture where needed.
Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
Where appropriate, our team uses tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment to manage risks. This may include gloves, safety footwear, and high visibility clothing when loading and unloading near traffic.
All equipment must be used only for its intended purpose and kept in good working order. Faulty or damaged equipment is to be removed from service immediately and reported to management.
Customer Cooperation and Information
For health and safety arrangements to be effective, we rely on cooperation from customers. Customers are asked to:
Provide accurate information about access, parking, item sizes, and any known hazards at the property or on site.
Ensure children and pets are kept away from working areas and vehicle loading zones.
Advise us of any special handling requirements for fragile, high value, or hazardous items.
Allow our team to work without undue interruption so that they can maintain focus on safe handling and movement of goods.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
Any accidents, injuries, near misses, or incidents involving damage or unsafe conditions must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will investigate incidents to understand their causes and take reasonable steps to prevent recurrence.
Our team members are briefed on basic emergency procedures, including calling emergency services, assisting injured persons where it is safe to do so, and securing the area to protect others.
Training, Supervision, and Policy Review
We provide appropriate instruction and training to all workers so they understand the risks associated with removal work and how to carry out tasks safely. New or less experienced staff are supervised and supported until they are competent in their roles.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, relevant legislation, or the nature of the services we provide. Improvements identified through experience, feedback, or incident investigation will be incorporated into our procedures.
By following this Health and Safety Policy, Man with Van Upper Clapton aims to deliver a safe, reliable, and professional removal service for customers across our service area.
