Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Islington

Man with Van Islington is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, handling, loading, transporting, and unloading goods in and around our service areas.

Policy Statement

We recognise our responsibility to manage health and safety to a high standard and to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice. Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing sensible control measures for all removal and transport operations.

This policy applies to all staff working for Man with Van Islington, including drivers, porters, supervisors, and office personnel, as well as any subcontractors undertaking work on our behalf.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Islington rests with management, who are responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements, procedures, information, and resources are in place. Management will regularly review this policy to keep it current and effective.

Supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation of this policy, ensuring that staff follow safety procedures, use equipment correctly, and report hazards or incidents promptly.

All employees and 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. Everyone working with or for Man with Van Islington must:

Follow training and instructions provided.

Use equipment, vehicles, and protective gear correctly.

Report hazards, unsafe practices, and incidents immediately.

Cooperate with management to enable compliance with legal and policy requirements.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We will identify and assess the risks associated with our removal and transport activities, including manual handling, lifting and carrying, loading and unloading, vehicle movements, working in residential and commercial premises, and working in confined or restricted access areas.

Where significant risks are identified, we will put in place safe systems of work, which may include planning of routes and parking, use of handling aids, use of sufficient personnel for heavy or awkward items, and controls to prevent slips, trips, and falls.

Risk assessments will be reviewed periodically, after any significant change in operations, and following any incident that indicates a breakdown in existing controls.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal service. To reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other injuries, we will:

Provide staff with manual handling training tailored to removal work.

Encourage the use of team lifting for heavy, bulky, or awkward items.

Use appropriate equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, and straps where practical.

Plan lifting tasks in advance, including clear access routes and suitable rest points.

Advise customers where items are excessively heavy or unsafe to move without specialist equipment or services.

Vehicles, Driving, and Loading

Our vehicles are essential to our work and will be maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition. We will:

Carry out regular vehicle checks, servicing, and inspections.

Ensure loads are distributed evenly and securely fastened to prevent movement during transit.

Monitor driving standards and adherence to speed limits and traffic laws.

Encourage safe driving behaviours, including planning routes to avoid unnecessary risks and allowing adequate time for journeys.

Provide guidance on safe reversing and manoeuvring, including the use of a banksman where visibility is restricted.

Working at Customer Premises

We acknowledge that every home and business premises is different. When working on customer property, our staff will:

Assess access routes, stairways, and entrances for hazards before starting work.

Take reasonable steps to prevent damage to property, fixtures, and fittings.

Keep walkways clear of packaging and equipment to minimise trip hazards.

Use safe lifting and carrying techniques on stairs and narrow passages.

Communicate with customers about any access limitations or safety concerns.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We will provide and maintain appropriate equipment for removal work, including trolleys, ramps, and lifting aids, and will ensure that such equipment is used only by trained staff. Where necessary, we will provide personal protective equipment such as gloves, high-visibility clothing, and safety footwear, and require that it is used and looked after correctly.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man with Van Islington will provide suitable and ongoing health and safety training relevant to each role. This includes induction training, manual handling training, safe vehicle operation, and awareness of site-specific hazards.

We will ensure that instructions and safety information are clear and accessible, and that less experienced staff are adequately supervised until competent to work safely with greater independence.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, near misses, injuries, and damage incidents must be reported as soon as possible to management or a designated supervisor. We will record significant incidents and investigate them to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Findings from incident investigations will be used to improve our procedures, training, and risk assessments.

Health, Welfare, and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical demands of removal work and the importance of staff being fit for duty. We will encourage staff to report any medical issues that may affect their ability to perform tasks safely. Staff must not work under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impairs judgement or performance.

Reasonable steps will be taken to support staff welfare, including adequate breaks, access to drinking water, and consideration of weather conditions when planning work.

Consultation and Policy Review

We encourage staff to participate in the development and improvement of our health and safety arrangements by raising concerns and suggesting safer ways of working. Feedback from employees, customers, and incident reviews will be considered when updating this policy.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and revised as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance, and our operational practices.