Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Highams Park
Man with Van Highams Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, members of the public and any other persons affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risk and ensuring that all work, including house moves, office removals and transport of goods, is carried out safely and responsibly.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health arising from our operations. We will identify and control hazards associated with lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, driving and working in and around properties and vehicles. We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation, approved codes of practice and relevant industry guidance for moving and handling activities.
We aim to continually improve our safety performance by reviewing procedures, learning from incidents and promoting a positive safety culture among all staff and contractors working on our behalf.
Management Responsibilities
The company management has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and ensuring that suitable resources are available to maintain safe systems of work. Management will:
Regularly review risk assessments for removal and transport tasks, including manual handling, vehicle movements and working in residential and commercial environments.
Provide appropriate training, information and instruction so staff understand their duties and can carry out tasks safely.
Ensure vehicles, tools and equipment are suitable, properly maintained and inspected at appropriate intervals.
Investigate accidents, near misses and hazardous occurrences and implement corrective measures where required.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage suggestions for improvements.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee and contractor working for Man with Van Highams Park has 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. All staff must:
Follow the companys safety procedures and safe systems of work at all times.
Use vehicles, handling equipment and protective equipment correctly and not misuse or interfere with safety devices.
Report hazards, defects, near misses and incidents promptly to management.
Cooperate with management on all health and safety matters, including attending training and toolbox talks.
Refrain from undertaking any task for which they have not been trained or which they consider unsafe without first seeking guidance.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Risk assessments are carried out for typical removal and man and van tasks, including packing, loading, unloading, transporting goods and working in different types of properties. These assessments identify potential hazards such as manual handling injuries, slips and trips, falls from height, vehicle movements, congestion around loading areas and interaction with customers and the public.
Based on these assessments, the company develops and implements safe systems of work. These may include planning access routes, using appropriate lifting techniques, limiting load weights, working in teams for heavy or awkward items, using trolleys and other handling aids, and setting clear rules for vehicle manoeuvring and parking.
Manual Handling and Lifting Safety
Manual handling is a key part of removal work, and specific controls are in place to minimise the risk of back injuries and muscular strain. The company will:
Provide training on correct lifting and carrying techniques.
Encourage staff to assess each load before moving it and to avoid lifting loads that are too heavy or unstable.
Promote team lifting for bulky or heavy items such as furniture and appliances.
Use appropriate handling aids, such as sack trucks, dollies and straps, where practical.
Plan moves to reduce the need to carry items over long distances or up and down stairs where alternative methods exist.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Safe operation of vehicles is critical to our man and van and removal services. The company will ensure that drivers are competent, hold appropriate licences and follow road traffic laws. Vehicles will be regularly inspected and maintained in a roadworthy condition.
Drivers must carry out basic pre-use checks, secure loads to prevent movement during transit and follow safe parking and reversing procedures, especially in residential streets and busy service areas. Where possible, a second person should act as a banksman to guide reversing operations and help maintain the safety of pedestrians and other road users.
Customer Premises and Site Safety
When operating at customer homes, offices or other premises, our staff will respect the property and consider the safety of everyone present. This includes controlling tripping hazards from packaging materials and equipment, keeping access routes clear, and avoiding blocking fire exits or emergency routes.
Where necessary, staff may request that children and pets are kept away from loading and unloading areas to reduce the risk of accidents. Particular care will be taken when carrying large items through confined spaces, stairwells and shared entrances.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees will receive appropriate induction training covering company health and safety procedures, safe manual handling, vehicle and driving safety, use of equipment and emergency arrangements. Refresher training will be provided as needed, and any significant changes in working methods or equipment will be supported by additional instruction.
Supervision will be proportionate to the risks involved, with more experienced staff overseeing complex or high risk jobs such as large removals, multi vehicle operations and moves involving restricted access or challenging environments.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly so that appropriate action can be taken and lessons learned. Records of accidents will be maintained and reviewed to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
Emergency arrangements, including first aid provision, fire precautions and procedures for dealing with road traffic incidents, will be communicated to staff. Employees must familiarise themselves with these procedures and follow them in the event of an emergency.
Review of Policy
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, company operations or the findings of incident investigations and risk assessments. All staff will be informed of any significant changes.
By working together to follow this policy and uphold high standards of health and safety, Man with Van Highams Park aims to provide a reliable, professional and safe removal and transport service across its operating area.
