Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Richmond Upon Thames

Man with Van Richmond Upon Thames is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our staff, customers, and members of the public affected by our work. This Health and Safety Policy explains how we manage risks associated with our removal and transport services and how we promote a culture of safety at all times.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to conduct all removal, delivery, loading and unloading activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health, and damage to property. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures.

We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and adhere to industry best practice for moving, handling, and transport operations.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that this policy is implemented, monitored, and periodically reviewed. Management will provide appropriate information, guidance and resources so that work can be carried out safely.

All employees and contracted personnel must:

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

Follow all safety instructions, training, and procedures provided by the company.

Use correctly the equipment and protective items supplied for their work.

Report any accidents, incidents, near misses, hazards or unsafe conditions to management without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before carrying out removal work, we assess the risks associated with the job, property access, vehicle loading areas, and any specific customer requirements. Where necessary, we adapt our methods to manage risks on site, including factors such as narrow staircases, heavy or awkward items, and shared access in residential or commercial buildings.

Safe working procedures include:

Planning each move in advance, considering parking, access routes and timing.

Using appropriate lifting techniques and manual handling practices.

Checking floors, paths and stairways for obstructions, spills or trip hazards before moving items.

Positioning vehicles to minimise reversing and to reduce risk to pedestrians and other road users.

Ensuring items are safely loaded, balanced and secured within the vehicle before travel.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal service and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. Staff receive guidance on correct lifting techniques and on recognising their own physical limits.

Key principles include:

Avoiding unnecessary lifting wherever possible, including use of trolleys or other aids.

Assessing the weight, shape and stability of items before attempting to move them.

Using team lifts for heavy, bulky or awkward objects.

Keeping loads close to the body, maintaining a stable stance, and avoiding twisting while carrying.

Taking breaks from repetitive lifting tasks to prevent fatigue.

Vehicles, Equipment and Maintenance

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Regular checks are carried out on brakes, tyres, lights, securing points and loading areas. Any defects are reported promptly and addressed before the vehicle is used for further work.

Equipment such as trolleys, straps, blankets and other protective materials is inspected regularly and used in line with training and instructions. Damaged or defective equipment is removed from service immediately.

Driving and Road Safety

All drivers must hold a valid driving licence appropriate to the vehicle they operate and must comply with road traffic laws at all times. We expect safe and considerate driving that protects our staff, customers, passengers and other road users.

Drivers are required to:

Plan journeys to allow sufficient time and avoid unnecessary time pressure.

Adjust driving to weather, traffic and road conditions.

Ensure loads are properly secured and do not exceed permitted weight limits.

Avoid the use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving.

Customer and Public Safety

We take reasonable steps to protect customers and members of the public while we are working on their premises or in public areas. This includes:

Identifying and communicating potential hazards associated with our work.

Keeping access routes as clear as reasonably possible during loading and unloading.

Positioning equipment, ramps and vehicles to minimise risk to pedestrians.

Working with customers to arrange suitable times and access where safety concerns may arise.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide appropriate information and guidance so our team can perform removal tasks safely and respond correctly in the event of an incident. New staff are introduced to our health and safety arrangements, safe working methods, and the correct use of vehicles and equipment.

Ongoing guidance is given to reinforce good practice, highlight common risks, and share lessons learned from previous jobs. More complex or higher risk tasks are supervised or carried out by experienced personnel.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses connected with our work are reported to management and recorded. Where appropriate, we investigate the circumstances to understand causes and to identify any changes required to equipment, methods or training.

We aim to learn from every incident, however minor, and to prevent recurrence by updating risk assessments and work practices when needed.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and the importance of fitness for work. Staff are encouraged to highlight any health issues that may affect their ability to carry out tasks safely. Work is planned to avoid excessive physical strain and to allow for reasonable rest and hydration.

Drugs and alcohol are not permitted while working or driving on company business. Anyone suspected of being unfit for work due to substances or illness will be removed from duty.

Review of Policy

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur in our work activities, legislation, or best practice. Updated versions are communicated to staff so that everyone understands their responsibilities and the standards expected.

By following this policy, Man with Van Richmond Upon Thames aims to provide a professional and reliable removal service that protects the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved.