Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Edgware

Man With a Van Edgware is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles, responsibilities, and arrangements we follow to manage risks associated with moving, loading, transport, and related services.

Our aim is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health, and to continuously improve our health and safety performance across all removal and delivery operations.

Health and Safety Objectives

We will work to:

Identify and control hazards associated with moving, lifting, loading, unloading, and transporting goods.

Comply with relevant health and safety laws, codes of practice, and industry guidance relating to removals, transport, and manual handling.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, and working practices.

Ensure staff are trained, competent, and supervised appropriately for the tasks they perform.

Promote a positive safety culture in which everyone takes responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.

Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses to learn lessons and prevent recurrence.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Edgware is responsible for implementing and monitoring this policy. This includes:

Assessing risks associated with all removal and transport tasks, including domestic and commercial moves.

Ensuring that work is planned and organised to minimise risks from manual handling, working at height, vehicle movements, and loading operations.

Providing appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision to staff and contractors.

Maintaining vehicles and equipment in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular checks and servicing.

Ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to meet health and safety responsibilities.

Reviewing this policy periodically and updating it when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, operations, or best practice.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, drivers, and operatives working with Man With a Van Edgware must:

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

Follow all safety procedures, guidance, and instructions provided during removal and transport work.

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

Cooperate with management to enable compliance with health and safety obligations.

Report accidents, incidents, near misses, hazards, or unsafe conditions as soon as reasonably practicable.

Never undertake removal or lifting tasks that they consider unsafe or beyond their physical capability.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our typical moving and transport activities and review them regularly. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, falls, vehicle movements, loading and unloading, and working in or around customer premises.

Safe systems of work are put in place for common tasks, including:

Planning moves in advance to identify access issues, parking arrangements, and any special handling requirements.

Using appropriate lifting techniques, team lifting, and handling aids where possible to reduce strain and injury risk.

Ensuring routes are kept clear of obstructions and walkways are free of trip hazards during removals.

Maintaining good housekeeping in vehicles and at loading areas.

Managing loading and unloading to prevent falls, crushing, and damage to property.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. We:

Provide training on correct lifting and carrying techniques.

Encourage staff to assess each load before moving it and to seek assistance with heavy, large, or awkward items.

Use trolleys, dollies, straps, and other approved aids where reasonably practicable.

Avoid unnecessary lifting by planning the sequence of loading and unloading effectively.

Discourage staff from rushing, overreaching, or lifting above shoulder height wherever possible.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Safe driving and vehicle safety are essential to our operations. Man With a Van Edgware will:

Ensure drivers hold the correct licence and are competent to drive the vehicles they are assigned.

Carry out regular vehicle checks, including brakes, tyres, lights, mirrors, and securing points.

Ensure loads are distributed evenly and secured properly to prevent movement in transit.

Encourage safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, avoidance of distractions, and allowance for weather and traffic conditions.

Plan routes to minimise risk, avoid unsafe manoeuvres, and respect local access restrictions where applicable.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer homes, offices, or other premises, we take steps to protect both property and people. This includes:

Conducting a brief on-site assessment upon arrival to identify hazards such as narrow staircases, uneven surfaces, or limited parking.

Using protective coverings for floors and surfaces where appropriate.

Positioning vehicles and equipment to minimise obstruction and danger to pedestrians and other road users.

Ensuring that heavy or bulky items are moved in a controlled manner, with clear communication among team members.

Taking care not to block fire exits, emergency routes, or access for neighbours and other users of shared spaces.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide staff with appropriate training relevant to their role, which may include:

Introduction to this Health and Safety Policy and our safe working procedures.

Manual handling and lifting techniques relevant to removal work.

Vehicle safety, load securing, and route planning.

Use of equipment and handling aids supplied by the company.

New or inexperienced workers are supervised until they are deemed competent to work independently.

Incident Reporting and Policy Review

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and cases of damage to property or vehicles are reported and recorded. Where necessary, we carry out investigations to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, sufficient, and effective in light of changes to legislation, operational practices, and the needs of our customers and employees.

By following this policy, Man With a Van Edgware aims to ensure that every removal, delivery, and transport service is carried out as safely and responsibly as possible.