Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Winchmore Hill

Man with Van Winchmore Hill is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our workers, customers and members of the public. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removal and transport services, including loading, unloading, lifting, carrying, driving and working at customers homes and business premises.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health arising from our activities. We will identify and manage risks, provide appropriate information and instruction, and maintain safe systems of work for all removal and delivery tasks carried out by Man with Van Winchmore Hill.

This policy applies to all workers engaged by us, including permanent staff, temporary staff, subcontractors and any other persons working under our direction while providing man and van or removal services.

Responsibilities

The management of Man with Van Winchmore Hill accepts overall responsibility for health and safety and will ensure that:

Health and safety is considered in the planning and delivery of all removal jobs, from small man and van tasks to larger household or office moves. Suitable equipment is provided and maintained in safe condition, including vehicles, lifting aids and protective gear. Workers receive the information, training and supervision they need to work safely. Accidents, near misses and safety concerns are reported, investigated and used to improve our procedures.

All workers are responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Workers must follow the instructions, training and procedures provided, and report any hazards, defects or incidents immediately.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will carry out risk assessments for our removal and transport activities and review them regularly. Assessments will consider, as a minimum:

Manual handling and lifting of furniture, boxes and equipment. Loading and unloading vehicles at kerbside, driveways and entrances. Movement of goods within properties, including stairs, corridors and tight spaces. Use of trolleys, straps and other moving equipment. Vehicle movements, parking and reversing in residential and commercial areas. Weather conditions and external hazards at collection and delivery sites.

On the basis of these assessments we will implement safe systems of work, including clear guidance for workers on lifting techniques, use of equipment and safe route planning within buildings and outside areas.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal services and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. We will:

Encourage the use of team lifting for heavy or bulky items. Provide handling aids where practical, such as trolleys, dollies and straps. Instruct workers on correct lifting techniques, including assessing the load, keeping it close to the body and avoiding twisting. Avoid asking workers to handle items that are beyond their capability or present an unreasonable risk. Request that customers inform us in advance of any particularly heavy, fragile or awkward items so we can plan appropriate resources.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Safe operation of vehicles is essential to the safety of our workers, customers and road users. We will ensure that:

Vehicles used for removals are roadworthy, regularly inspected and maintained in line with manufacturer recommendations. Loads are distributed evenly and secured using appropriate restraints to prevent movement in transit. Drivers hold the appropriate licence for the vehicle they operate and are familiar with its size and handling characteristics. Drivers follow all road traffic laws and drive in a manner that is courteous and considerate in residential and commercial areas. Parking is planned to minimise risk to pedestrians and other vehicles, while respecting local rules and restrictions.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our work often takes place at customer homes and business premises. We will take all reasonable steps to prevent harm to customers, visitors and the public by:

Planning safe access routes for moving items in and out of properties. Keeping walkways as clear as possible of trip hazards such as boxes, wrapping materials and tools. Using protective coverings where appropriate to help prevent slips, trips and damage. Taking care when moving items in communal areas, corridors, stairwells and entrances to avoid obstruction. Moving and parking vehicles in a way that minimises obstruction to neighbours, businesses and passing traffic.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We will provide and maintain suitable work equipment, including removal straps, trolleys and other handling aids, and ensure that they are used correctly and safely. Where necessary, we will provide personal protective equipment, such as gloves or safety footwear, and require workers to use it in accordance with training and instructions.

Training, Information and Supervision

Workers engaged in removal activities will receive appropriate training and information covering:

Safe lifting and handling techniques. Vehicle loading and unloading procedures. Use of trolleys, straps and other handling aids. Awareness of hazards at customer premises. Reporting of incidents, accidents and near misses.

New or less experienced workers will be supervised and supported until they can demonstrate that they understand and follow our safety procedures.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported as soon as possible to management. We will keep records of incidents, investigate their causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Workers must familiarise themselves with basic emergency procedures, including how to call emergency services, how to make the area safe and how to assist injured persons without putting themselves or others at additional risk.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice or the nature of our services. All workers will be informed of any significant changes that affect their duties or working methods.

By following this policy and working together, Man with Van Winchmore Hill aims to deliver removal and transport services in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved.