Health and Safety policy

Man With A Van Greenwich Health And Safety Policy

Man With A Van Greenwich is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in all aspects of our moving, loading, unloading and transportation services.

Our Health And Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption to our operations. We aim to achieve this by identifying, assessing and controlling risks associated with lifting, carrying, vehicle movements and working in customers premises, and by continually improving our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that suitable arrangements are in place for planning, organising, controlling, monitoring and reviewing health and safety within the business. This includes:

Ensuring that health and safety is considered in all operational decisions, including scheduling, staffing levels and equipment selection. Providing safe and well-maintained vehicles, tools and moving equipment, such as trolleys, straps and protective materials. Assessing risks before starting removal work and taking steps to reduce those risks as far as is reasonably practicable. Providing information and guidance to employees and contractors on safe working practices and emergency procedures. Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to identify causes and implement corrective actions.

Employee Responsibilities

Every member of our team has an individual responsibility to protect their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are expected to:

Follow all safety instructions, training and procedures provided by the company. Use vehicles, tools and moving equipment correctly and only for their intended purpose. Carry out dynamic risk assessments on site, particularly when navigating stairs, tight spaces or uneven surfaces. Report hazards, defects in equipment, unsafe conditions or near misses to management without delay. Wear any personal protective equipment provided where required and maintain it in good condition. Refrain from working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair judgement or performance.

Safe Lifting And Manual Handling

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and can present significant risks if not managed properly. We aim to reduce the likelihood of strains, sprains and other manual handling injuries by:

Providing instruction on correct lifting techniques, including team lifting where appropriate. Using mechanical aids such as trolleys, dollies and lifting straps whenever practical. Planning the route before moving large or heavy items, including checking for obstacles, trip hazards and narrow access points. Avoiding unsafe lifting practices, such as twisting while carrying heavy items or overreaching. Limiting the weight that individuals are expected to lift on their own and reallocating tasks that exceed safe personal capability.

Vehicle Safety And Transport Operations

Our vehicles are critical to delivering removal services safely. We are committed to ensuring that our transport operations are carried out in a responsible manner by:

Carrying out regular checks and maintenance on vehicles to ensure they remain roadworthy and safe. Ensuring that drivers are competent, appropriately licensed and familiar with the safe loading and unloading of goods. Securing loads correctly to prevent movement during transit, minimising the risk of damage and injury. Planning journeys to allow for realistic travel times, reducing pressure on drivers and supporting compliance with road safety rules. Taking account of weather conditions, traffic and access restrictions and adjusting plans where necessary to maintain safety.

Working At Customer Premises

Our teams regularly work in customers homes, offices and other premises, where conditions can vary. To protect everyone on site we will:

Conduct a visual assessment on arrival to identify hazards such as loose flooring, inadequate lighting, blocked exits or other risks. Communicate with the customer about any concerns and agree suitable adjustments to the working area when needed. Keep access routes clear of packaging, tools and removed items as far as possible, reducing trip and slip risks. Take particular care on stairs, ramps and external pathways, especially in wet or icy conditions. Ensure that children, pets and bystanders are kept away from moving operations and loading areas where practical.

Use Of Equipment And Protective Measures

We will provide suitable equipment and protective materials to support safe and efficient work, and will:

Ensure that equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if defective. Use protective coverings and padding where necessary to safeguard both property and staff. Provide personal protective equipment where risk assessments show it to be necessary, and require its correct use. Offer information on any specific hazards related to specialist equipment used during removals.

Training, Information And Supervision

We recognise that competent, well-informed staff are essential to maintaining safe operations. We will:

Provide initial and refresher training on safe lifting, loading, driving and customer site procedures. Ensure that new staff are supervised appropriately until they are fully competent in their duties. Communicate any changes to working practices, equipment or risk controls clearly and promptly. Encourage staff to ask questions and raise concerns about safety without fear of criticism.

Incident Reporting And Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will record and review these events to understand what went wrong and how similar issues can be prevented in the future. Lessons learned will be incorporated into updated procedures, training and risk assessments.

Monitoring And Review Of This Policy

This health and safety policy will be monitored on an ongoing basis and reviewed periodically, or sooner if there are significant changes to our activities, work methods or legal requirements. Any updates will be communicated to our staff so that everyone understands their responsibilities and the standards expected.

By working together and following the principles in this policy, Man With A Van Greenwich aims to deliver reliable, efficient and safe removal services for all our customers.