Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Coulsdon

Man With a Van Coulsdon is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure environment for our workers, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with household and office moves, loading and unloading, transport, and on-site work at customer premises.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We aim to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting effective controls in place. We are committed to complying with all relevant health and safety legislation and standards applicable to our removals operations.

We will continually improve our health and safety performance by reviewing working practices, seeking feedback from workers and customers, and updating this policy as our business and services develop.

Responsibilities and Communication

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who will ensure that adequate resources, equipment and training are provided. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy on each job and for checking that safe systems of work are followed.

Every worker 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 workers must:

Follow safe working procedures and instructions given by management.

Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately.

Report accidents, near-misses, unsafe conditions and health concerns without delay.

Cooperate with any investigation or review of incidents and safety practices.

We will communicate this policy to all workers and make it available to customers who request information about our health and safety arrangements.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting any removals or transport job, we will assess the potential risks relating to the property, access points, parking, lifting requirements and any special items. Where required, a site-specific assessment will be carried out and shared with the team undertaking the work.

Our teams are required to follow safe systems of work, including:

Planning routes, loading methods and order of work before lifting begins.

Ensuring clear walkways and avoiding trip hazards such as loose cables, rugs and clutter.

Using suitable equipment for moving heavy or awkward items, such as trolleys and straps.

Protecting floors, walls and doorways where there is a risk of damage or slipping.

Stopping work if conditions become unsafe and contacting management for guidance.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removals service and presents a significant risk of injury if carried out incorrectly. To minimise these risks we will:

Provide training and guidance on safe lifting techniques and team handling.

Encourage workers to assess each lift before starting, considering weight, shape and route.

Use mechanical aids where available and practicable, and avoid single-person lifting of very heavy loads.

Require team lifts for bulky or awkward items such as large furniture and appliances.

Discourage rushing, twisting while lifting, and lifting above shoulder height wherever possible.

Workers are expected to refuse any lift they believe to be unsafe and to seek assistance or alternative methods.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our removals operations and must be operated safely at all times. We will ensure that vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained, and that any defects are reported and addressed promptly.

Drivers must:

Hold a valid driving licence suitable for the vehicle they are operating.

Carry out pre-use checks, including tyres, lights, mirrors, load security and fuel levels.

Comply with road traffic laws, speed limits, parking rules and loading restrictions.

Plan routes to minimise risks associated with narrow roads, low bridges and congestion.

Avoid driving when tired, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when unfit through illness.

All loads must be properly secured to prevent movement during transit and to protect both the driver and other road users.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, visitors and members of the public during our work. To achieve this, we will:

Maintain clear communication with customers about timing, access requirements and any restrictions.

Keep work areas tidy and free from unnecessary obstacles, especially in shared hallways and access routes.

Take extra care when working near children, pets or vulnerable people and request that they are kept away from active lifting and loading areas.

Use hazard awareness, such as verbal warnings and visibility of workers, when moving large items through common or public areas.

Exercise care when using trolleys or moving equipment in car parks, pavements or communal spaces.

Use of Equipment and Protective Measures

We will provide appropriate equipment and materials to support safe working, including moving equipment, removal blankets, straps and protective coverings. All equipment must be used in accordance with manufacturer instructions and company guidance.

Where necessary, workers may be provided with and required to use personal protective equipment such as safety footwear and gloves. Equipment that is damaged or defective must be taken out of service and reported immediately.

Accident Reporting, First Aid and Emergencies

All accidents, incidents, injuries and near-misses must be reported to management as soon as practicable, regardless of severity. This information is used to investigate causes and improve our processes to prevent recurrence.

Basic first aid supplies will be available in our vehicles or at designated locations. In the event of a serious incident, the priority is always the safety and wellbeing of those involved, and emergency services must be contacted where necessary.

Workers are expected to follow emergency instructions, cooperate with responders and refrain from placing themselves or others at further risk.

Training, Monitoring and Policy Review

Man With a Van Coulsdon is committed to providing appropriate training and information to ensure that all workers understand this Health and Safety policy and their responsibilities. Induction training will be supplemented by refresher guidance, toolbox talks and periodic reviews of working practices.

Management will monitor compliance with this policy through observation, feedback and review of incident reports. Where shortcomings are identified, corrective actions will be implemented.

This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as required to reflect changes in law, best practice, our services and the environments in which we operate. The latest version will supersede any previous versions and will be communicated to all workers.