Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Walthamstow

This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Man with Van Walthamstow manages the safety and wellbeing of customers, workers, the public and anyone affected by our removal and delivery activities. Our goal is to provide efficient transport and moving services while preventing injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our key objectives are to:

Identify, assess and control risks associated with lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and driving activities.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and working practices for all removal and delivery tasks.

Ensure that workers are competent, informed and trained in safe handling and driving techniques.

Protect customers, their property and members of the public from foreseeable risks arising from our work.

Continually improve our health and safety performance and culture.

Responsibilities and Management Commitment

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Walthamstow rests with the business owner or manager. They are responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, reviewed regularly and communicated clearly to all workers, contractors and relevant parties.

All workers, including drivers and loaders, are required to:

Follow safe working procedures and instructions at all times.

Use vehicles, tools and equipment correctly and only for their intended purpose.

Report hazards, near misses, injuries and incidents as soon as reasonably practicable.

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

Cooperate fully with any health and safety instructions, training or investigations.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for typical tasks involved in removals and transport services, including:

Manual handling of furniture, appliances, boxes and other items.

Use of trolleys, straps and other moving equipment.

Accessing properties, stairways, lifts and confined spaces.

Parking, loading and unloading in residential and commercial areas.

Driving and navigating in busy traffic and varying weather conditions.

Based on these assessments, we put in place safe systems of work, including planning the route in advance, agreeing access arrangements with customers and allocating suitable time for each job to avoid rushing and unsafe behaviour.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Incorrect lifting and carrying are major causes of injury in removal work. To reduce this risk, Man with Van Walthamstow follows these principles:

Use mechanical aids such as trolleys, dollies and straps wherever reasonably possible.

Avoid lifting loads that are too heavy, bulky or awkward for one person. Two-person lifting will be used where necessary.

Assess the load and the route before moving it, including doorways, steps, uneven ground and any obstacles.

Use safe lifting techniques, keeping the back straight where possible, using the legs to lift and avoiding twisting while carrying.

Break down loads into smaller units when safe and practical.

Customers may be asked to move fragile or personal items themselves if they are particularly delicate or present unusual risks.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are central to our work, and we are committed to operating them safely and responsibly. To achieve this, we:

Maintain vehicles in a roadworthy condition through regular checks, servicing and prompt repair of defects.

Ensure that loads are distributed evenly, secured properly and do not exceed the vehicle weight limits.

Require drivers to hold the correct licence, obey traffic laws and drive courteously and defensively.

Plan routes to allow sufficient travel time and to reduce unnecessary mileage and fatigue.

Expect drivers to avoid the use of handheld mobile devices while driving and to take breaks as needed for longer journeys.

Customer Property and Site Safety

We recognise our duty to protect both people and property at every location where we work. To minimise the risk of damage or injury on site, we:

Assess access routes, floors, staircases and doorways before moving items.

Use appropriate protective measures where reasonably possible, such as blankets for furniture and careful positioning of items to avoid tripping hazards.

Take extra care when moving large or heavy items through shared areas, corridors and entrances used by others.

Keep working areas as tidy as possible, with tools and packaging removed promptly once no longer needed.

Advise customers of any issues that might affect safety, such as unstable flooring, blocked access, poor lighting or restricted parking options.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where the risk assessment shows that personal protective equipment is required, we provide suitable items such as gloves, protective footwear and hi visibility clothing. Workers are expected to use this equipment correctly and to keep it in good condition, reporting any damage or loss so it can be replaced.

Training, Information and Consultation

All workers receive information and guidance on safe working practices relevant to their role, including manual handling, vehicle loading and driving safety. Additional information or instruction is provided when new equipment, vehicles or procedures are introduced.

We encourage open communication about health and safety, and workers are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safer ways of working.

Accidents, Incidents and First Aid

All accidents, injuries, near misses and damage to property are recorded and, where necessary, investigated. The purpose of any investigation is to understand the cause and to identify preventive measures, not to assign blame.

We aim to provide basic first aid equipment in vehicles or on site so that minor injuries can be treated promptly. Where more serious incidents occur, emergency services will be contacted without delay.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, equipment or relevant regulations. Lessons learned from incidents, feedback from workers and customers, and changes in industry good practice are taken into account as part of this review.

Man with Van Walthamstow is committed to ongoing improvement in health and safety performance, and we will continue to develop our procedures so that our removal and transport services remain as safe and reliable as possible for everyone involved.