Man with Van Slade Green Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Slade Green is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to preventing accidents, injuries and work-related ill health in the course of our day-to-day operations.

Our services include domestic and commercial removals, man and van hire, loading and unloading, furniture transport and related activities. We recognise that these tasks involve specific safety risks, particularly around manual handling, driving, and working in varied residential and business premises.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure this policy is implemented, monitored and reviewed. Management is responsible for providing suitable arrangements for risk assessment, safe systems of work, training, supervision and equipment maintenance.

All employees and regular contractors share responsibility for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Every member of the team must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards and cooperate with management on safety matters.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for key activities, including lifting and carrying, use of moving equipment, vehicle loading, driving and working at customer premises. These assessments identify potential hazards and set out control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Typical control measures include planning routes in advance, assessing access at collection and delivery sites, ensuring vehicles are parked safely, and confirming that walkways, stairs and loading areas are clear of obstacles and trip hazards before work begins.

Safe systems of work are developed and communicated to staff, including guidance on how to handle heavy or awkward items, how many people are required for certain tasks, and when to refuse work that cannot be completed safely.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our removal services, and we take particular care to minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Staff receive instruction on correct lifting techniques, posture, team lifting and the use of mechanical aids.

Where appropriate, we use equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, sliders, protective blankets and securing straps. All equipment is selected to be suitable for its purpose and is checked regularly to ensure it remains in good condition. Any defective item is removed from use immediately and either repaired by a competent person or replaced.

Employees are expected to perform a quick visual check of equipment before use and to report any problems to management without delay.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

We maintain our vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Regular safety checks are carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, mirrors, securing points and loading doors. Any defects are reported and rectified as soon as possible.

Drivers must hold the appropriate licence and are required to follow road traffic laws at all times. They are instructed to drive in a considerate and defensive manner, taking into account road conditions, weather and the weight and distribution of the load.

Loads are secured properly using suitable restraints to prevent movement during transit. Heavy items are positioned low and evenly distributed, and doors are checked before departure and at reasonable intervals during the journey.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in and around customer homes, offices and public spaces. We take care to protect both people and property while carrying out removals and deliveries.

Walkways and stairways are kept as clear as reasonably practicable. Where there is a risk to customers or members of the public, our staff will politely ask for space to work safely and may temporarily restrict access to specific areas while large or heavy items are being moved.

Where possible, protective covers, blankets and other materials are used to minimise damage to floors, doors and walls, and to reduce the risk of slips and trips caused by loose packaging or debris.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive information on this Health and Safety Policy and on relevant safe working procedures. New staff are given an induction that covers key risks involved in removal operations, along with guidance on safe manual handling, vehicle safety and how to report concerns.

Additional instruction or refresher training is provided when new equipment is introduced, when working methods change or when monitoring identifies a need for improvement. Supervisors and experienced team members are expected to set a positive example and help reinforce safe working habits.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, near misses, injuries and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as practicable. This includes damage to property, vehicle incidents and any event that could have led to serious harm.

Incidents are recorded and, where necessary, investigated to determine root causes and identify corrective actions. Lessons learned are used to improve procedures, training and risk control measures to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise that removal work can be physically demanding. Staff are encouraged to be mindful of their own fitness and to inform management of any health issues that may affect their ability to work safely.

Employees must not work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair judgment or performance. Where prescription medication is being taken, staff should seek medical advice on any impact it may have on driving or manual handling and inform management if adjustments are required.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man with Van Slade Green is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. We review this policy regularly, and also following any significant incident, operational change or new legal requirement, to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our removal and transport services.

Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and will be considered when assessing how our safety arrangements can be strengthened. By working together and following this policy, we aim to deliver a reliable removal service while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved.