Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Shadwell
Man with Van Shadwell 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 services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our objectives, responsibilities and working practices for safe house and office removals, furniture transport and delivery services in our operating area.
Health and Safety Objectives
Our main health and safety objectives are to prevent injury, protect health and minimise risk during all removal and transport activities. We aim to:
Identify and control hazards associated with lifting, carrying, loading, driving and working on or near customers premises.
Comply with all applicable health and safety laws, guidance and industry standards relevant to removal and transport services.
Provide appropriate training, information and supervision so that our staff can work safely and competently.
Promote a positive safety culture where all team members take responsibility for their own safety and that of others.
Review and improve our health and safety arrangements regularly to reflect changes in operations, equipment and regulations.
Management Responsibilities
Management of Man with Van Shadwell is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that health and safety is an integral part of our day to day operations. This includes:
Carrying out and maintaining written risk assessments for typical removal tasks and any higher risk activities.
Providing suitable equipment, vehicles and protective gear to reduce risk to staff and customers.
Ensuring that staff are competent, trained and supervised for the tasks they are required to perform.
Investigating incidents, near misses and customer feedback to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
Allocating sufficient resources for safety improvements, maintenance and training.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee, contractor and representative of Man with Van Shadwell has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All team members are expected to:
Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training they have received.
Use equipment, vehicles and protective clothing in the correct and safe manner.
Report hazards, defects, near misses and incidents to management without delay.
Cooperate with risk assessments, investigations and any reasonable safety measures introduced.
Refrain from taking unnecessary risks or shortcuts that could compromise safety or damage property.
Risk Assessment and Planning
Before each removal or transport task, we assess the key risks associated with the property, access, items to be moved and driving routes. This may include:
Evaluating manual handling demands such as weight, size, shape and number of items.
Checking access routes, stairs, lifts, corridors, parking and loading points.
Identifying fragile, valuable, hazardous or unusually heavy items that require special handling.
Considering weather conditions, time of day and local traffic issues that may affect driving or loading.
Planning the number of staff required, suitable equipment, and the safest sequence of work.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of our removal operations and is managed with particular care. We:
Train staff in correct lifting techniques, team lifting, posture and load assessment.
Encourage use of mechanical aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and ramps wherever practical.
Avoid single person lifting of heavy or awkward items when a team lift or additional equipment is needed.
Ensure routes are kept clear of obstacles, spillages and trip hazards before moving items.
Pause work where the risk of injury is considered too high until a safer method is identified.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are essential to providing a safe and reliable man and van service. We are committed to safe driving and vehicle standards by:
Maintaining vehicles in good mechanical condition with regular checks and servicing.
Loading vehicles securely, distributing weight evenly and using restraints to prevent movement during transit.
Ensuring drivers hold the appropriate licence, are fit to drive and follow the Highway Code.
Planning routes to allow sufficient time for safe driving and to minimise stress and fatigue.
Prohibiting driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or any substance that impairs ability.
Customer and Public Safety
We recognise our duty to protect customers, neighbours and members of the public while we are working in residential and commercial areas. To achieve this, we:
Control access to work areas as far as reasonably practicable and communicate clearly with customers about safe routes and temporary restrictions.
Manage parking, loading and unloading to reduce risk to pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.
Use safe systems for moving large items through shared spaces such as hallways, stairwells and communal entrances.
Avoid blocking fire exits, emergency access routes or essential services.
Take care to prevent damage to property, fixtures and fittings while carrying out removal tasks.
Equipment, Protective Gear and Maintenance
Where appropriate, we provide and maintain equipment and protective items to support safe working practices, including trolleys, ramps, lifting straps and gloves. We:
Inspect and maintain equipment regularly to ensure it is in safe working order.
Remove damaged or defective items from service immediately and arrange repair or replacement.
Train staff in the correct use, storage and limitations of all equipment and protective gear.
Training, Information and Supervision
Training is provided to all staff in relevant aspects of health and safety, including manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety and working at customers premises. Where necessary, new staff work under close supervision until they demonstrate competence. Information on hazards and safe systems of work is communicated clearly, and refresher training is provided where changes occur or where additional needs are identified.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and significant incidents must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record and review these events to identify patterns and improvements. Staff are briefed on emergency procedures relevant to their work, including fire safety, first aid arrangements and actions to take in the event of a road traffic incident or serious injury.
Review of Policy
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary, including when there are significant changes to our services, equipment, locations or relevant legislation. We invite feedback from staff and customers on any aspect of safety, and we are committed to continually improving our standards to support safe and reliable removal services in our operating area.
