Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van West Hampstead

Man with Van West Hampstead is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy describes our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods in and around our service area.

We recognise our duty to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and accepted industry standards, and we expect everyone involved in our work to cooperate in maintaining high standards of safety and care at all times.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment during all removal, packing, loading, transport and unloading tasks. We will achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting practical control measures in place before and during each job.

The management of Man with Van West Hampstead will provide clear guidance, adequate resources and suitable equipment so that staff can carry out their work safely and professionally at all times.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who are accountable for implementing and reviewing this policy and for ensuring that safe systems of work are in place for all removal and transport operations.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for communicating safety procedures, checking that staff follow safe working practices, reporting hazards and incidents, and taking prompt action if unsafe conditions or behaviours are identified.

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. They must follow instructions, use equipment correctly, wear appropriate personal protective equipment where required and report any hazards, near misses or accidents without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for typical moving and transport tasks and, where necessary, for specific locations or unusual items. These assessments consider manual handling, confined spaces, access routes, traffic movement, weather conditions, stairways, loading and unloading areas, and any special features of the premises.

Based on these assessments, we establish safe systems of work that cover planning the job, allocating adequate staff, using suitable equipment, checking routes, and agreeing safe methods for handling heavy or awkward items.

Manual Handling and Protection from Injury

Manual handling is a significant element of our work. To reduce the risk of strains, sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries, we provide training in correct lifting and carrying techniques, team lifting, the use of trolleys and other handling aids, and safe movement on stairs and ramps.

Where possible, we avoid hazardous manual lifting by using mechanical aids or adjusting the task. Staff are instructed not to attempt to lift or move items beyond their capability and to request additional help or equipment if they feel a task is unsafe.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow road traffic laws, drive defensively and comply with speed limits and parking regulations at all times.

Loading is carried out to ensure that goods are stable, properly secured and distributed evenly. We take care to avoid overloading vehicles and to protect both the load and other road users. Drivers are responsible for checking that loads remain secure and that access to emergency exits and equipment is not obstructed.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, ramps and blankets to support safe moving and transport. All equipment is inspected periodically and removed from service if defective or unsafe.

Where a task requires it, staff are provided with and expected to use personal protective equipment such as gloves, high visibility clothing or safety footwear. Any defects must be reported immediately so that replacements can be arranged.

Client Premises and Public Safety

When working at client premises or in shared access areas, we aim to minimise disruption and protect all persons present. We plan access routes, keep walkways clear of obstructions, and where necessary use barriers, signs or spotters to manage movement of large items in confined or busy areas.

Care is taken to avoid damage to property, fixtures and fittings, and to prevent trip hazards from packaging materials or equipment. We will cooperate with any specific safety rules or site inductions in force at a client location, provided they are communicated to our team before or on arrival.

Information, Instruction and Training

We provide our staff with information and instruction tailored to their role, including induction on company safety procedures, safe moving techniques, vehicle safety, incident reporting and emergency arrangements.

Training needs are reviewed periodically and whenever there is a change in work processes, equipment or relevant legislation. Staff are encouraged to raise concerns or suggest improvements to working practices, and we review feedback as part of ongoing development of this policy.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses, injuries and significant property damage must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and to implement corrective actions that reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

In the event of an emergency, staff must follow site-specific procedures where applicable, prioritise the safety of people, and contact the appropriate emergency services if required. Vehicles are equipped with basic emergency equipment as appropriate for the task and vehicle type.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise that removal and transport work can be physically demanding. Staff are expected to present themselves fit for duty and to notify management of any medical conditions or injuries that could affect their ability to work safely.

We do not tolerate the use of alcohol or illegal substances while on duty, and we expect the responsible use of any prescription medication that may impair concentration, coordination or reaction times.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, our range of services or the nature of our operations across our service area.

We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and to fostering a culture in which everyone involved in our work understands their responsibilities and contributes to a safer working environment for colleagues, customers and the wider public.