Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Barkingside Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Barkingside is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our workers, customers, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting, and unloading goods in domestic and commercial settings.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We aim to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards and applying sensible, proportionate control measures. As part of our commitment, we will:

Carry out risk assessments for our removal operations and review them regularly. Provide information, instruction, training, and supervision to help our team work safely. Supply and maintain appropriate equipment, vehicles, and handling aids in a safe condition. Promote a positive health and safety culture where everyone accepts their responsibilities. Continually improve our health and safety performance by monitoring, reviewing, and updating our procedures.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and ensuring it remains suitable and effective for our removal services. This includes:

Planning work to reduce risks when moving furniture, appliances, and other items. Ensuring vehicles are roadworthy, suitably insured, and maintained according to manufacturer guidance. Providing manual handling guidance and safe systems of work for lifting and carrying. Ensuring that workers are competent and understand their duties. Investigating accidents, near misses, and safety concerns and taking corrective action where necessary.

Worker Responsibilities

Every member of our team 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. Workers are expected to:

Follow the safe working procedures, training, and instructions provided. Use equipment, tools, and vehicles only for their intended purpose and report any defects immediately. Wear any suitable personal protective equipment provided for specific tasks. Report hazards, near misses, incidents, and injuries without delay. Cooperate with management in all matters relating to health and safety.

Customer and Public Safety

We take steps to protect customers, visitors, and members of the public while we carry out removal tasks at homes, offices, storage units, and other locations. To achieve this, we will:

Plan access routes before moving large or heavy items. Keep pathways and entrances as clear as is reasonably practicable. Use safe lifting and carrying techniques to reduce the risk of dropping items. Avoid obstructing fire exits and emergency escape routes. Communicate clearly with customers about any temporary restrictions or safety considerations during loading and unloading.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our work, and we recognise the risks of strains, sprains, and other injuries. We manage manual handling risks by:

Assessing the weight, size, and shape of items before lifting or moving them. Using trolleys, dollies, straps, and other aids where appropriate. Encouraging team lifting for heavier or awkward loads. Avoiding twisting, overreaching, and sudden movements while carrying items. Taking regular short breaks during prolonged or repetitive lifting tasks.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Safe driving and vehicle use are essential for our removal operations. To manage transport-related risks, we:

Ensure that drivers are appropriately licensed and competent. Conduct basic checks on tyres, lights, mirrors, and securing points as part of regular routines. Load vehicles safely, distributing weight evenly and securing items to prevent movement in transit. Follow all relevant road traffic rules and drive at speeds appropriate to road and weather conditions. Avoid unnecessary reversing and use assistance from a second person when manoeuvring in tight spaces where possible.

Work at Height and Use of Equipment

Where work at height cannot be avoided, or where equipment such as ramps and portable steps is required, we will:

Use only suitable, stable equipment that is in good condition. Position ramps and steps on firm, level ground. Maintain three points of contact when using steps where reasonably practicable. Avoid overreaching or leaning out from steps or platforms. Remove or report from use any damaged or faulty access equipment.

Housekeeping and Trip Prevention

Good housekeeping reduces the risk of slips, trips, and falls during removals. Our team will:

Keep work areas as tidy as reasonably possible, with clear walkways. Stack items in a stable manner to avoid collapse. Route cables and straps so they do not create trip hazards. Clean up spillages promptly or highlight them until they can be dealt with safely.

Incident Reporting and First Aid

All accidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported so that corrective actions can be taken. We will:

Record details of incidents, including causes and follow-up actions. Review incidents to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Maintain access to basic first aid supplies appropriate to the nature of our work. Encourage open reporting and discussion of safety concerns without blame.

Training, Communication, and Review

We recognise that effective training and communication are vital to maintaining high health and safety standards. We will:

Provide induction and refresher training, especially on manual handling and safe loading. Communicate changes to procedures and share lessons learned from incidents. Review this Health and Safety Policy periodically and when there are significant changes to our operations or relevant regulations. Update risk assessments and safe systems of work as necessary.

This Health and Safety Policy applies to all activities undertaken by Man with Van Barkingside and is supported by more detailed procedures and guidance where required. Everyone involved in our services is expected to follow this policy and play their part in maintaining a safe, professional removal service.