Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Bayswater Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Bayswater is committed to providing a 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 our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, transporting and handling goods in homes, offices and other premises within our service area.

We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice. Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, ill health and damage to property by planning our work carefully and applying safe methods at all times.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for ensuring that health and safety considerations are fully integrated into the planning and delivery of all man and van and removal services. This includes providing suitable equipment, adequate resources and competent personnel to carry out tasks safely.

Management will regularly review this policy, monitor performance, and update procedures where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance or the nature of our operations. Any significant changes to working practices will be communicated to staff before implementation.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and contractor working with Man with Van Bayswater has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for the safety of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff are required to:

Work in accordance with this policy and any associated procedures or safe systems of work. Use vehicles, lifting aids, personal protective equipment and other tools only for their intended purpose and in a safe manner. Report any hazards, near misses, accidents, injuries, vehicle defects or unsafe conditions as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. Co operate with all instructions, training and supervision provided and not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health, safety or welfare.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We assess the risks associated with our removal and transport activities to identify potential hazards such as manual handling, loading and unloading, vehicle movement, use of equipment, working on customer premises and environmental conditions. Where significant risks are identified, appropriate control measures are implemented and communicated to staff.

Before starting a job, our team will consider access routes, stairways, parking arrangements, the size and weight of items, and any fragile or hazardous materials. Where necessary, we may adjust the planned method, request additional manpower or equipment, or decline work that cannot be carried out safely.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key element of our business and is managed with particular care. Staff receive guidance on correct lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of appropriate handling aids such as trolleys and straps. Heavy, bulky or awkward items are handled by sufficient personnel and using safe routes that minimise twisting, overreaching and carrying over long distances.

Where the weight or configuration of an item presents an unacceptable risk, alternative arrangements such as dismantling, use of additional equipment, or revising the task will be considered. No employee is required to lift or carry any load that they believe cannot be moved safely.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

The safe operation of our vehicles is essential to protecting staff, customers and other road users. Vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, and drivers are expected to carry out basic pre use checks, report defects promptly and follow all traffic laws and company procedures.

Loads are secured within the vehicle to prevent movement during transit. Items are positioned and restrained to avoid damage and to maintain vehicle stability. Drivers must plan routes sensibly, allow adequate time for journeys and avoid distractions while driving.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Any equipment used in the course of our removal services, such as lifting aids and securing devices, must be suitable for the task and maintained in a safe condition. Staff are instructed in the proper use of this equipment and must not modify or misuse it.

Where personal protective equipment is required, such as safety footwear or gloves, it will be provided where appropriate. Employees are responsible for wearing it correctly, looking after it and reporting any defects or loss so that replacements can be arranged.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working on customer premises, our staff will take all reasonable steps to protect customers, their property and other persons present. This may include keeping access routes clear, using warning where necessary, avoiding trip hazards from packing materials and moving items carefully through shared areas.

We ask customers to co operate with safety measures by keeping children and pets away from moving operations, informing us in advance of any known hazards at the property, and following any reasonable safety advice given by our team during the service.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of damage to property or vehicles must be reported as soon as practicable. This allows us to investigate causes, share lessons learned and prevent recurrence. Records will be maintained in line with regulatory and internal requirements.

Staff are briefed on what to do in the event of an emergency, including injuries, fires, road accidents or sudden structural issues at premises. Where necessary, work will be stopped and the area made safe before continuing or leaving the site.

Training, Supervision and Policy Review

We provide information and guidance appropriate to the tasks staff are expected to undertake. New staff are introduced to our health and safety expectations, and ongoing instruction is given when procedures change or new equipment is introduced.

This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in legislation, operations or identified risks. We are committed to continuous improvement and to maintaining high standards of safety in all removal, delivery and transport services carried out by Man with Van Bayswater.