Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Wimbledon

Man with Van Wimbledon is committed to providing a professional, safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the standards and procedures we follow to manage risks and promote safe practices throughout all stages of our removal services.

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 recognise our responsibility to manage health and safety risks associated with loading, unloading, transporting and delivering goods, including within residential buildings, commercial premises and public areas.

We will, so far as is reasonably practicable:

Identify, assess and control risks associated with manual handling, vehicle movements, working at height, use of equipment and interaction with customers and the public.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, systems of work and working conditions.

Provide suitable information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that all staff are competent to carry out their roles safely.

Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage active participation in improving working practices.

Review and update this policy on a regular basis and when there are significant changes to our operations.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Wimbledon rests with the company management. Management will ensure that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy and will monitor performance to drive continual improvement.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day to day implementation of safe working practices, including briefing staff before jobs, monitoring site conditions and reporting any hazards or incidents.

All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. This includes following training and instructions, using equipment properly, wearing any required personal protective equipment and reporting unsafe conditions or accidents immediately.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We will conduct appropriate risk assessments for our removal operations and related activities. These assessments will consider the type of items being moved, access conditions at properties, vehicle loading arrangements, route planning and any specific customer requirements.

Findings from risk assessments will be used to develop safe systems of work, including:

Planning jobs to ensure adequate staffing and suitable equipment are available.

Assessing access routes, stairs, lifts and parking arrangements before work begins.

Using appropriate lifting techniques, handling aids and team lifts for heavy or bulky items.

Ensuring vehicles are loaded securely, evenly and within permitted weight limits.

Adjusting work methods where special risks are identified, such as fragile items or restricted spaces.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant aspect of our removal services and is managed carefully to minimise the risk of injury. Staff will receive training in safe lifting and carrying techniques, team handling and the correct use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling aids.

Wherever possible, we will use mechanical or wheeled aids to reduce physical strain. No employee is expected to lift or carry loads that are beyond their capability or that pose an unacceptable risk. Items that are unusually heavy, awkward or fragile will be planned for in advance and moved using appropriate methods and sufficient personnel.

All equipment used in the course of our work will be maintained in good condition and inspected regularly. Damaged or defective equipment must not be used and should be reported immediately so that it can be repaired or replaced.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are central to our removal services and will be maintained to a high standard. Regular checks and servicing will be carried out to ensure that vehicles remain roadworthy and safe for use.

Drivers are required to hold the appropriate licence, follow road traffic laws and drive in a manner that is courteous, safe and aware of the presence of pedestrians and other road users. Journey planning must take into account realistic travel times, rest breaks, loading and unloading requirements and local access restrictions.

Vehicles must be loaded safely, with loads properly distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit. Doors and ramps must be operated in accordance with instructions and only by trained personnel.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working in or around customer premises, we will take all reasonable steps to protect customers, neighbours, visitors and members of the public from risks arising from our activities.

This includes:

Maintaining clear walkways and avoiding trip hazards, such as trailing straps or packaging.

Using appropriate protective coverings where necessary to reduce the risk of slips, trips or damage.

Managing vehicle movements carefully in residential streets, car parks and shared access areas.

Communicating with customers about areas that should be kept clear during the move.

Training, Communication and Consultation

We recognise that effective health and safety management depends on competent and informed staff. All employees will receive induction training covering our key health and safety procedures, including manual handling, safe driving practices, use of equipment and emergency arrangements.

Ongoing training will be provided where new risks are identified, equipment is introduced or work methods change. We encourage all staff to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about health and safety matters.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses, injuries and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. These events will be recorded and investigated to identify root causes and to implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Emergency arrangements, such as dealing with injuries, fire or vehicle breakdowns, will be communicated to staff. Employees must familiarise themselves with these procedures and act promptly and calmly in the event of an emergency.

Monitoring and Review

Man with Van Wimbledon will monitor health and safety performance through incident reports, staff feedback and periodic reviews of risk assessments and working practices.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed at regular intervals and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, our operations or the nature of the services we provide. We remain committed to continual improvement in health and safety as an integral part of delivering a reliable and professional removal service.