Man with Van Chingford Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and procedures followed by Man with Van Chingford to protect our workers, customers, visitors and members of the public. As a professional removal service, we are committed to conducting all activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health and damage to property.

Our policy applies to all removal and delivery work, including domestic and commercial moves, packing, loading, transportation and unloading. All staff, contractors and agents working on behalf of Man with Van Chingford are required to comply with this policy and any associated procedures, instructions and risk assessments.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our key health and safety objectives are to:

Identify, assess and control risks associated with removal activities and the use of vehicles and equipment.

Provide safe systems of work, including safe methods of lifting, carrying, loading and unloading.

Ensure that all staff receive appropriate training, supervision and information to work safely.

Maintain vehicles, equipment and tools in a safe and roadworthy condition.

Promote a culture where health and safety responsibilities are understood and taken seriously at all levels.

Review our performance regularly and make improvements where necessary.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy. This includes:

Carrying out and recording risk assessments for our removal services.

Ensuring that suitable safety procedures are in place and communicated clearly.

Providing staff with training on manual handling, safe driving, use of equipment and emergency procedures.

Monitoring working practices on jobs, including in homes, offices and other premises, to ensure ongoing compliance.

Investigating accidents, near misses and incidents and taking corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular subcontractors have a duty to safeguard their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. They must:

Follow all instructions, risk assessments and safe systems of work provided by Man with Van Chingford.

Use vehicles, tools and equipment only for their intended purpose and in accordance with training received.

Report hazards, defects, accidents and near misses without delay.

Wear any personal protective equipment issued, where appropriate, and keep it in good condition.

Communicate any health conditions or concerns that may affect their ability to perform manual handling or driving tasks safely.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Prior to each removal or delivery, we consider the specific risks associated with the property, access routes, items to be moved and any special customer requirements. Where necessary, a more detailed written risk assessment may be prepared.

Typical control measures include:

Planning access routes for moving furniture and boxes to avoid trip hazards, uneven surfaces and obstructions.

Protecting floors, stairways and doorways where appropriate to reduce the risk of slips, trips and damage.

Limiting the weight of individual items lifted by one person and using team lifts or handling equipment when necessary.

Ensuring adequate lighting and clear communication between team members during loading and unloading.

Taking extra care when working in shared areas such as corridors, driveways and car parks to protect the public.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is central to our work and is a significant area of risk. We manage this by:

Providing manual handling training that covers lifting techniques, posture, teamwork and recognising personal limits.

Encouraging staff to assess each lift before starting and to refuse unsafe lifts.

Using moving aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets, where appropriate, to reduce strain and protect items.

Planning the order of loading and unloading to minimise unnecessary handling.

Ensuring that any specialised equipment is properly maintained and only used by trained personnel.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are a key part of our removal operations and must be operated safely at all times. To achieve this, we:

Carry out regular vehicle checks and arrange routine maintenance to keep vehicles roadworthy.

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

Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations.

Discourage the use of mobile phones and other distractions while driving, other than approved hands-free systems where necessary.

Plan routes to allow sufficient time for travel, loading and unloading, helping to reduce time pressure on drivers.

Protection of Customers and the Public

We recognise our responsibility to prevent harm to customers, building occupants and the public during our work. We take steps to:

Keep access routes as clear as reasonably practicable during moves.

Use safe lifting and carrying methods around customers and other third parties.

Maintain respectful conduct in private homes and workplaces, including careful handling of personal belongings and confidential items.

Ensure that hazardous materials, if encountered, are identified and handled in line with regulations and industry good practice.

Training, Information and Supervision

Health and safety training is provided on induction and refreshed as necessary. This may include:

Manual handling techniques specific to removal work.

Use of moving equipment, vehicle loading and securing of loads.

Awareness of common hazards in residential and commercial premises.

Emergency procedures and incident reporting.

Supervisors and experienced staff are expected to provide ongoing guidance and to challenge unsafe behaviour.

Accident and Incident Reporting

All accidents, injuries, near misses and damage to property must be reported as soon as reasonably practicable. We record and review this information to identify trends and make improvements. Where required, incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities in accordance with applicable regulations.

Review of this Policy

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, vehicles, equipment or legal requirements. Updated versions will be communicated to staff and made available to customers on request.

By following this policy, Man with Van Chingford aims to provide a reliable and safe removal service, minimising risks while protecting everyone involved in or affected by our work.