Man with Van Catford Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Catford 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 services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, transportation of goods, loading and unloading, and related activities.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment arising from our work. We aim to achieve this by:

Identifying, assessing and managing risks associated with removal activities and vehicle movements. Providing staff with appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision. Supplying and maintaining suitable equipment and vehicles in a safe condition. Promoting safe systems of work for lifting, carrying, loading and unloading. Monitoring our performance and continually improving our health and safety practices.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who will ensure that this policy is implemented, maintained and reviewed on a regular basis.

Management responsibilities include:

Ensuring that adequate resources are made available for health and safety. Setting clear expectations for safe working standards. Conducting or commissioning risk assessments and implementing control measures. Ensuring that vehicles and equipment are regularly inspected and maintained. Providing appropriate training and guidance to workers.

All workers, whether full time, part time, or temporary, 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 procedures, instructions and guidance provided by the company. Use equipment and vehicles correctly and report defects immediately. Report accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions without delay. Cooperate with any training, monitoring or investigations relating to health and safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We will carry out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for our main activities, including home and office removals, loading and unloading at properties, vehicle operations, and handling of furniture, appliances and boxed items.

These assessments will consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, falls, vehicle movements, working on driveways and near roads, and handling bulky or fragile items. Control measures will include safe lifting techniques, appropriate use of trolleys and lifting aids, clear communication between team members, and planning access routes at properties and collection or delivery addresses.

Safe systems of work will be developed and communicated to all staff, covering the preparation of vehicles, loading plans, securing loads, and safe conduct at customer premises.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key part of any removal service, and we recognise the potential for strain injuries and accidents. To minimise these risks:

All staff will receive guidance on correct lifting and carrying techniques. Team lifting will be used for heavy or awkward items. Mechanical aids such as sack trucks, dollies and straps will be used where reasonably practicable. Items will be assessed for weight, size, stability and route before moving.

Only equipment provided or approved by the company will be used during removal work. All equipment will be checked regularly and any damaged or defective items taken out of service promptly.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Vehicles used for removal work will be maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing. Drivers are required to carry out basic pre use checks and to report any faults or concerns immediately.

Drivers and crew must follow traffic laws and drive in a manner that reflects the nature of our work, including careful movement in residential streets, near commercial premises and while manoeuvring in restricted spaces. Loads must be evenly distributed and properly secured to prevent shifting during transit.

No worker is permitted to drive or operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair their ability to work safely.

Customer, Public and Property Safety

Our teams will take reasonable steps to protect customers, neighbours and members of the public while work is being carried out. This includes:

Planning access routes to minimise obstruction and trip hazards. Using safe lifting and carrying paths through properties. Taking care to protect walls, floors, doors and fixtures where practical. Keeping entrances and exits as clear and accessible as conditions allow.

We ask customers not to enter areas where loading or unloading is actively taking place unless invited by a team member, and to supervise children and pets away from moving items and vehicles.

Training, Information and Supervision

We will provide appropriate health and safety induction and task specific training to our staff. This may include manual handling techniques, use of moving equipment, safe loading and load security, vehicle safety and working safely at customer premises.

Supervision will be provided, particularly for new or less experienced workers, to ensure that procedures are followed and to reinforce safe working practices. Health and safety information will be communicated clearly and updated when there are changes to our operations or legal requirements.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and damage to property must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records will be kept, and where necessary we will investigate to identify causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Workers must familiarise themselves with emergency arrangements relevant to their work, including what to do in the event of fire, injury, collision or other incidents while on the road or at customer sites. First aid supplies will be available in vehicles or at operating bases where reasonably practicable.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage feedback from staff and customers on health and safety matters. Suggestions for improvements to procedures, equipment or working practices are welcomed and will be considered by management.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically and when there are significant changes to our activities, to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with current legislation and industry good practice.

By working together and following this policy, Man with Van Catford aims to deliver reliable removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved.