Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Blackheath Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Blackheath is committed to providing a professional and safe removal service for our customers, our team members, contractors, visitors and the wider public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, transport, loading and unloading, and storage of goods within the areas we serve.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to conduct all removal and delivery activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance by identifying hazards, controlling risks and promoting safe working practices throughout our operations.

Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the business and will ensure that adequate resources, information, training and supervision are provided to maintain safe systems of work. All employees and contractors are required to cooperate with this policy and to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Legal Compliance and Responsibilities

Man With a Van Blackheath will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards for removal and transport services. We will review this policy regularly and update it as necessary to reflect changes in legal requirements, guidance or our working practices.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy within their areas of control, including the planning of work, allocation of tasks, monitoring of performance and enforcement of safe working methods. Employees are required to follow instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards and incidents, and participate in training and safety briefings.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before undertaking any removal job, a suitable and proportionate risk assessment will be carried out to identify potential hazards such as manual handling risks, trip hazards, unsafe access routes, vehicle movements, and the handling of fragile or heavy items. The findings of risk assessments will be used to determine safe methods of work for each task.

Risk controls may include: planning lifting routes, using appropriate lifting equipment, ensuring adequate staffing levels for heavy or awkward loads, securing items in transit, and coordinating with customers to manage restricted access or shared spaces. Where conditions change on site, staff are expected to stop work and reassess the risks before continuing.

Manual Handling and Lifting Operations

Manual handling is one of the main risk areas in removal work. Man With a Van Blackheath will minimise manual handling risks by careful planning, the use of handling aids and the adoption of correct lifting techniques. Staff will receive training on safe lifting methods, team lifting, the use of trolleys and other equipment, and recognition of their own physical limits.

No employee should attempt to lift or move any item they believe to be unsafe due to its weight, size, shape or condition. Where necessary, additional staff or equipment will be used to handle heavy or bulky items. Customers will be informed if an item cannot be safely moved as requested due to health and safety considerations.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

All vehicles used by Man With a Van Blackheath will be maintained in a roadworthy condition, inspected regularly and operated in line with legal and company requirements. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow road traffic laws and adhere to safe driving practices at all times.

Loads must be distributed correctly and secured before departure to prevent movement in transit. Drivers are responsible for checking that doors are properly closed, straps or restraints are fitted where necessary, and that visibility remains clear. Mobile phones and other distractions must not be used while driving, and rest breaks will be taken in accordance with legal guidance and company rules.

Working at Customer Premises

Our work often takes place at private homes, offices, storage facilities and other customer locations. Man With a Van Blackheath will respect each property and ensure that work is planned with due regard for the safety of occupants, neighbours and visitors.

Where possible, clear access routes will be established before work begins, including identifying suitable entrances, stairways, lifts and loading points. Protective coverings may be used to reduce trip hazards and protect surfaces. Staff will take care when moving items in confined spaces and around doorways, corners and staircases, and will communicate clearly with each other and with customers during the move.

Equipment, Tools and Protective Measures

All equipment and tools used in the course of our removal services, including trolleys, dollies, straps and protective materials, will be maintained in good condition and used in accordance with manufacturer instructions and company procedures. Defective equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of service until repaired or replaced.

Where required by risk assessment, appropriate personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear and gloves, will be provided and must be used correctly. Staff are responsible for taking reasonable care of any protective equipment issued to them and for reporting loss or damage without delay.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man With a Van Blackheath will provide suitable induction and ongoing training for all staff relevant to their roles. This may include manual handling training, vehicle safety, use of equipment, safe loading and unloading procedures, and emergency arrangements.

Supervisors will monitor working practices on site and correct any unsafe behaviour or conditions. Instructions and updates on health and safety matters will be communicated clearly to all staff, and refresher training will be provided when necessary or when changes are made to procedures or equipment.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and damage to property occurring in connection with our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records will be kept, and investigations carried out to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Emergency arrangements, including procedures for fire, first aid and serious injury, will be communicated to staff. At customer premises, staff will cooperate with any local emergency rules or instructions. Work will be stopped immediately if a situation arises that presents a serious or imminent danger.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man With a Van Blackheath is committed to continually improving health and safety performance. We will review risk assessments, working methods and incident reports to identify opportunities for improvement. Feedback from staff and customers about safety matters is welcomed and will be taken into account when reviewing this policy.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our activities or relevant legislation, to ensure it remains effective and appropriate for the services we provide and the areas we cover.