Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Shepherd's Bush

Man with Van Shepherd's Bush is committed to providing a professional, safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy outlines the principles and practices we follow to manage risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, transporting and delivering goods as part of our removal services.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and unnecessary disruption to our work. We will identify, assess and control health and safety risks arising from our operations, and we will review these measures regularly to maintain continuous improvement.

Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety standards within the company and ensures that resources, training and equipment are provided to support this policy. All staff have a duty to cooperate with health and safety arrangements and to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others.

Legal Compliance and Responsibilities

Man with Van Shepherd's Bush complies with relevant health and safety legislation and associated guidance that applies to removal and transportation activities. We aim to exceed minimum legal requirements wherever reasonably practicable by adopting industry best practice and maintaining safe working procedures.

Employees are required to follow all safety instructions, attend training sessions and report hazards, incidents or near misses to management without delay. Anyone found disregarding safe systems of work or intentionally putting themselves or others at risk may be subject to disciplinary procedures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including house and flat removals, office moves, item collection and delivery, and loading and unloading vehicles. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, trips and falls, traffic movement, working in confined or shared spaces, and handling fragile or heavy items.

Based on our risk assessments, we establish safe systems of work that include planning each job, assessing access routes, considering parking and loading arrangements, and identifying any special equipment that may be required. Staff are instructed to stop work and contact management if they believe a task cannot be completed safely.

Manual Handling and Lifting Techniques

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work. To reduce the risk of injury, all staff receive training in safe lifting, carrying and team handling techniques. This includes assessing the load, planning the route, lifting with a stable posture, and sharing the weight between team members where appropriate.

We use trolleys, dollies, removal straps and other suitable equipment to reduce strain wherever possible. No employee is expected to lift or move an item that they consider too heavy, unstable or awkward to handle safely. Customers are encouraged not to assist with lifting heavy items unless agreed in advance and only when it can be done safely.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

All tools, lifting aids and removal equipment are maintained in good working order and checked regularly for signs of wear or damage. Defective equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of use until repaired or replaced.

Where appropriate, staff are provided with personal protective equipment such as gloves, suitable footwear and high-visibility clothing. Employees are responsible for using this equipment correctly, looking after it, and reporting any loss or damage so that it can be replaced.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are inspected and serviced at regular intervals. Drivers must carry out basic pre-use checks, including tyres, lights, mirrors and load security, before starting any journey.

Drivers are expected to obey all road traffic laws and speed limits and to drive responsibly, allowing extra time for loading, unloading and travel. Loads must be secured correctly to prevent movement during transit and to avoid damage to items or risk to other road users. No one may drive a company vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that could impair their ability to drive safely.

Customer Premises and Property Protection

When working in customers homes, offices or other premises, our staff will take reasonable steps to protect property and maintain safe access routes. This may include using protective coverings, avoiding blocking exits, and maintaining clear walkways free of trip hazards such as loose packaging or tools.

We will liaise with customers to understand any specific site rules, access restrictions or safety concerns and incorporate these into our working method for the job.

Training, Information and Supervision

All new employees receive an induction that covers our Health and Safety Policy, emergency arrangements, accident reporting procedures and core safe working practices. Ongoing training is provided to ensure staff remain competent in lifting techniques, use of equipment, vehicle loading and customer care.

Supervisors and experienced team members are responsible for monitoring work on site and ensuring that procedures are followed. If unsafe practices are identified, work will be stopped and corrective action taken.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and property damage incidents must be reported to management as soon as practicable. This enables us to investigate the cause, take corrective action and update our risk assessments and procedures if necessary.

Staff are instructed on what to do in an emergency, including how to summon medical assistance, how to respond to road traffic incidents and what steps to take if an area needs to be evacuated. Vehicles are equipped with basic safety equipment where appropriate.

Consultation, Review and Continuous Improvement

We encourage feedback from employees and customers on health and safety matters. Staff are invited to raise any concerns or suggestions for improvement so that we can make our working practices safer and more efficient.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes to our work activities, legislation or best practice guidance. The latest version of the policy is made available to all employees and can be provided to customers on request.

By following this policy, Man with Van Shepherd's Bush aims to provide a reliable, professional and safe removal service across our operating area, protecting the wellbeing of our staff, customers and the wider community.