Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Hounslow Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Hounslow is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy outlines our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, unloading and transporting goods.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting effective control measures in place. Health and safety is an integral part of our planning and delivery of all man and van, removals and transport services.

All work will be carried out in compliance with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. We will continually review and improve our procedures to reflect changes in our operations, technology and regulations.

Roles and Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the management of Man with Van Hounslow. Management will ensure that appropriate resources are provided for safe equipment, training, supervision and planning of work.

All employees and regular contractors have a duty to:

• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety.
• Consider the safety of colleagues, customers and the public.
• Follow all safety instructions, risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly.
• Report hazards, near misses, accidents and unsafe practices without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before carrying out any removals or transport tasks, we will assess the risks associated with the premises, access routes, parking, loading points, manual handling activities and the type of items being moved.

Where significant risks are identified, we will implement safe systems of work, which may include:

• Planning vehicle access and loading areas to minimise reversing and congestion.
• Determining the number of staff needed for safe lifting and carrying.
• Using appropriate handling aids such as trolleys or dollies where required.
• Protecting customers property and common areas from damage and trip hazards.
• Scheduling work to prevent fatigue, rushing and unsafe short cuts.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our removal work and is a major focus of our safety arrangements. We reduce manual handling risks by:

• Evaluating the weight, size and shape of items before lifting.
• Team lifting heavy, bulky or awkward objects when necessary.
• Using correct lifting techniques to protect the back and joints.
• Avoiding twisting, overreaching or carrying loads over long distances without breaks.
• Refusing to move items that cannot be handled safely with the staff and equipment available.

All staff involved in handling and carrying tasks receive manual handling training appropriate to their role.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are central to the services we provide. We are committed to safe driving and road risk management by ensuring that:

• Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in a roadworthy condition.
• Loads are properly distributed, secured and checked before departure.
• Drivers hold the correct licence and are competent for the vehicle type.
• Drivers follow all road traffic rules and drive at speeds appropriate to the conditions.
• Journey planning allows sufficient time to avoid rushing and unsafe manoeuvres.
• Parking and unloading are carried out with due care for pedestrians, neighbours and other road users.

Personal Protective Equipment and Work Equipment

Where required by risk assessment, we will provide personal protective equipment such as gloves, high visibility clothing and safety footwear. Staff are expected to use and maintain this equipment in accordance with training and instructions.

All trolleys, straps, blankets and other work equipment will be maintained in good condition and used only for their intended purpose. Defective equipment must be taken out of use and reported immediately.

Working at Customer Premises

Our teams frequently work in homes, offices and shared buildings. To protect everyone on site we will:

• Keep access routes as clear as reasonably practicable.
• Identify and avoid trip hazards such as loose cables, rugs and uneven surfaces.
• Take care when moving items on stairs, landings and in tight spaces.
• Use protective coverings where appropriate to reduce slip risks and surface damage.
• Communicate clearly with customers and building occupants about planned work and any temporary restrictions.

Training, Instruction and Supervision

We provide our staff with training and information relevant to their duties, including manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment and customer care. New staff receive induction training and are supervised until they demonstrate the required competence.

Training needs are reviewed regularly and refreshers are provided when necessary, for example following the introduction of new equipment or changes in working practices.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and incidents involving damage to property or vehicles must be reported promptly to management. These reports help us investigate causes, identify trends and put additional controls in place where needed.

Staff are briefed on emergency procedures relevant to the locations in which they work, including fire evacuation routes, safe assembly points and how to contact the emergency services.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage open communication about health and safety. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safe working practices. Feedback from customers is also welcomed and taken into account when reviewing our procedures.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to ensure that it remains suitable, sufficient and effective in supporting safe removal and man and van services.