Man with Van Harlington Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Man with Van Harlington manages the safety and wellbeing of customers, staff, contractors and the general public during all removal and transport activities. Our aim is to provide a professional removal service that is carried out safely, responsibly and in line with applicable health and safety law and recognised good practice.

Policy Statement

Man with Van Harlington is committed to preventing injury and ill health, protecting property, and minimising risk in every aspect of our work. We recognise that safe working is essential to delivering a reliable man and van and removals service, whether we are operating in residential streets, commercial premises, storage facilities or on the road.

We will provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision so that all workers understand their responsibilities, follow agreed procedures and use equipment safely. We will review and improve this policy regularly to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards and the nature of our services.

Responsibilities

The management of Man with Van Harlington has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and ensuring that sufficient resources are made available. Management will:

Ensure that risk assessments are carried out for our removal and transport activities and that control measures are implemented and monitored.

Provide and maintain vehicles, tools and equipment in a safe and roadworthy condition.

Arrange appropriate health and safety training, including manual handling, safe loading and unloading, and defensive driving.

Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, taking corrective action where necessary.

All employees and regular contractors have a duty to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and risk control measures provided by the company.

Use vehicles, equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately.

Report hazards, incidents, near misses and unsafe practices without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man with Van Harlington conducts risk assessments that cover common removal tasks, including domestic moves, office relocations, small deliveries and loading or unloading at storage sites. These risk assessments are used to develop safe systems of work, which may include:

Assessing access routes, stairs, lifts, doorways and parking arrangements before work begins.

Planning the order of loading and unloading to reduce handling and prevent instability of loads.

Using appropriate lifting aids, trolleys and equipment where practicable.

Ensuring that items are secured safely in the vehicle to prevent movement during transit.

Adapting methods when weather, lighting or ground conditions increase risk.

Specific assessments are carried out where unusual loads, fragile items or heavy equipment are involved, and additional controls are put in place where necessary.

Manual Handling and Personal Safety

Manual handling is a core part of man and van work and is a significant source of potential injury. To reduce the risk of strains, sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries, Man with Van Harlington will:

Provide manual handling training that covers correct lifting technique, team lifts and use of lifting aids.

Encourage staff to assess each item before lifting, taking into account weight, size, shape and stability.

Require team lifting for heavy or awkward items and the use of handling equipment where possible.

Promote regular breaks and rotation of tasks where workloads are physically demanding.

Staff must not attempt to move loads that they consider unsafe and should request additional assistance or equipment when required.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are central to our removal service and must always be operated safely and responsibly. Man with Van Harlington will:

Ensure that all drivers hold the correct licence for the vehicles they operate and are competent to drive them.

Carry out regular checks and servicing to maintain vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition.

Require drivers to complete basic pre-use checks, reporting any defects immediately.

Plan routes to minimise unnecessary mileage, reduce stress and allow sufficient time for safe driving.

Insist on safe loading and securing of all items to avoid shifting of loads, damage to property or danger to road users.

Drivers and assistants must follow all road traffic laws, drive courteously and refrain from using mobile phones while driving, except with legally compliant hands-free equipment where safe to do so.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Where appropriate, Man with Van Harlington provides equipment such as trolleys, straps, blankets and basic tools to carry out moves safely. Equipment must be used only for its intended purpose and kept in good condition. Staff must report missing or damaged items so that they can be repaired or replaced.

Personal protective equipment may include safety footwear, gloves, high visibility clothing and any other items identified through risk assessment. Where issued, it must be worn and looked after in accordance with training and instructions.

Protecting Customers, Their Property and the Public

During every move, we will take reasonable steps to protect customers, their property and members of the public. This includes:

Keeping walkways as clear as possible and avoiding trip hazards caused by tools, packaging or trailing straps.

Using dust sheets, blankets and other protection where necessary to minimise damage to fixtures, fittings and belongings.

Coordinating vehicle positioning and loading so that entrances, pavements and shared areas remain safe and accessible wherever reasonably practicable.

Communicating clearly with customers about timescales, access needs and any safety precautions that affect them.

Training, Information and Consultation

Man with Van Harlington ensures that new employees receive induction training covering basic health and safety, safe lifting, vehicle procedures and emergency arrangements. Ongoing training is provided as required, and staff are informed when procedures change or new risks are identified.

We encourage open communication about health and safety. Workers are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in reviews of working methods. No one will be disadvantaged for highlighting safety issues or stopping work they reasonably believe to be unsafe.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and significant equipment or vehicle damage must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records are kept so that trends can be monitored and preventive measures introduced. Where required by law, incidents will be reported to the appropriate enforcing authority.

Staff receive guidance on what to do in an emergency, including road traffic accidents, serious injury, fire, fuel spills or damage to property. The priority at all times is the safety of people, followed by protection of property and the environment.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our services, relevant legislation or industry guidance. The latest version is made available to employees and customers who wish to understand how health and safety is managed within Man with Van Harlington.

By following this policy and working together, we seek to ensure that every move we undertake is carried out as safely and efficiently as possible.