Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Palmers Green

Man With a Van Palmers Green is committed to providing a professional, safe and healthy working environment for our workers, customers, visitors 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 home and office moves, transport, loading, unloading and on-site handling of items.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property during any moving, packing, lifting, carrying or driving tasks carried out by our team. We will comply with all applicable health and safety laws and recognised industry best practice. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance by reviewing working methods and learning from experience.

This policy applies to all workers engaged by Man With a Van Palmers Green, including full-time, part-time, temporary and subcontracted personnel working on our moves and related services.

Management Responsibilities

Management has overall responsibility for health and safety within Man With a Van Palmers Green. Responsibilities include:

Ensuring suitable risk assessments are carried out for removal, transport and handling activities, and that control measures are implemented and reviewed.

Providing appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision so that staff are competent to perform their roles safely.

Making sure vehicles and equipment are maintained in a safe condition and are appropriate for the tasks undertaken.

Investigating incidents, near misses and hazards reported by staff or customers, and taking appropriate corrective action.

Regularly reviewing this policy to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with current legislation and best practice.

Employee Responsibilities

All workers have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees and subcontractors are required to:

Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided by Man With a Van Palmers Green.

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

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

Report accidents, injuries, near misses, hazards and defective equipment to management as soon as possible.

Cooperate fully with health and safety investigations, audits and improvement measures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our main activities, including domestic removals, small office moves, loading and unloading of vehicles, packing services and short-distance transport. These assessments consider manual handling, vehicle movements, working in and around customer premises, stairways, confined spaces, weather conditions and other relevant factors.

Control measures include planning safe access routes, using correct lifting techniques, working in teams for heavy or awkward items, using moving aids where appropriate, and ensuring floors, paths and loading areas are kept as clear as reasonably practicable during the move.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and is a key focus of our safety approach. We will:

Provide manual handling training to staff, including safe lifting, carrying, team lifts and the use of equipment such as trolleys and dollies.

Assess the weight, size, shape and condition of items before moving them, and refuse to lift loads that are unsafe for the team or the environment.

Encourage staff to avoid unnecessary lifting and to break down loads into smaller, more manageable parts where possible.

Ensure that heavy items such as appliances, furniture and boxes are lifted and moved in a way that minimises strain, twists and overreaching.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our service and are operated in a way that promotes safety on the road and at the roadside. We will:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained to a safe standard.

Require drivers to hold the appropriate driving licences and to follow all road traffic laws.

Ensure loads are evenly distributed, properly stacked and securely restrained within the vehicle to prevent movement during transit.

Plan journeys to allow sufficient time for safe driving and rest breaks where necessary.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, neighbours and the general public during our operations. We will:

Take care when moving items through hallways, stairwells, entrances, car parks and shared areas to prevent injury or damage.

Use warning where appropriate, such as verbally alerting people when carrying large items that may restrict vision or access.

Place items and equipment in safe, stable positions while loading and unloading to avoid falls or collisions.

Keep work areas as tidy as practicable during a move, promptly addressing obvious trip and slip hazards.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where required by the risk assessment, we provide appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or hi-visibility clothing. Staff are expected to use and maintain this equipment properly and to report any defects or losses immediately.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide training suitable for the roles performed within our removal service. This may include induction training, manual handling training, vehicle safety guidance, use of lifting aids and safe working practices in and around customer properties. Information is provided in a way that is clear and understandable, and supervision is provided to ensure that safe methods are followed.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses that occur during our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. Details will be recorded, investigated and reviewed to identify any underlying causes and to prevent recurrence.

In the event of an emergency, such as serious injury, fire or a road traffic incident, staff are instructed to follow agreed procedures, prioritising the safety of people before property. Emergency services will be contacted where required, and information will be shared openly and accurately.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, industry practice or the nature of our services. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed as part of our commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety standards.

By working together, Man With a Van Palmers Green aims to deliver efficient removal services while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone involved in or affected by our operations.