Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van South Tottenham

Man with Van South Tottenham 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 man and van activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our general approach, responsibilities and procedures to ensure that all work is carried out safely and in line with applicable health and safety principles.

Policy aims and objectives

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment arising from our removal and transport services. We will achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing sensible control measures tailored to moving, loading, unloading and transporting goods. We will regularly review and improve our procedures so that our operations remain safe, efficient and reliable.

Management responsibilities

Management is responsible for providing clear leadership on health and safety matters. This includes allocating appropriate resources, ensuring that vehicles and equipment are maintained in a safe condition and that staff have the training and information they need. Management will:

Carry out and review risk assessments relevant to removals and man and van work. Put in place safe systems of work for lifting, carrying and transporting items. Maintain vehicles, lifting aids and protective equipment in a safe and serviceable condition. Monitor health and safety performance and investigate any accidents, near misses or complaints. Promote a positive safety culture where issues can be raised and addressed promptly.

Employee responsibilities

All workers, whether full time, part time or casual, have a responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must:

Follow the companys safety instructions, training and safe working procedures. Use vehicles, equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Avoid taking unnecessary risks when handling heavy or awkward loads. Co operate with management in all health and safety matters, including attending training and participating in investigations. Report accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions without delay.

Risk assessment and safe working practices

Before any removal or delivery task is undertaken, the potential hazards and risks must be considered. This includes the nature of items to be moved, access routes, parking, stairs, narrow corridors and any potential interaction with other road users or pedestrians. Where necessary, a site specific assessment will be carried out on arrival to identify any additional hazards.

Safe working practices for removal tasks will include planning the route, using appropriate lifting techniques, team lifting for heavy loads, use of moving equipment such as trolleys when available, and ensuring that loads are stable and secure before lifting or transporting. Work will be organised to minimise manual handling where practical.

Manual handling and lifting

Manual handling is a central part of our removal activities and presents a significant risk of injury if not carried out correctly. We will provide instruction and guidance on safe lifting, carrying and team handling techniques. Workers must:

Assess the weight, shape and stability of any item before attempting to lift it. Seek assistance or use equipment for heavy or bulky items rather than lifting alone. Keep loads close to the body, maintain a stable stance and avoid twisting while carrying. Take regular short breaks when handling multiple items to reduce strain and fatigue.

Vehicle safety and driving standards

Safe driving and vehicle loading are essential to protect our staff, customers and other road users. All drivers working for Man with Van South Tottenham must hold the appropriate licence and follow safe driving practices at all times. We will ensure that vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained to a high standard.

Loads must be evenly distributed and secured using appropriate straps or restraints to prevent movement during transit. Exceeding the vehicles maximum load capacity is not permitted. Drivers must obey speed limits, parking restrictions and road traffic laws, and must not drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that impairs judgement. Mobile phones or other distractions must not be used while driving unless suitable hands free controls are in place and their use is legal and safe.

Use of equipment and protective measures

Any equipment used during removals, such as trolleys, ramps or lifting aids, must be checked before use and operated in line with instructions. Defective equipment must be taken out of service and reported so that repairs or replacement can be arranged.

Where appropriate, workers will be provided with and expected to use suitable protective clothing or equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear and high visibility garments. These items must be kept in good condition and used whenever tasks or site conditions require additional protection.

Customer premises and public safety

When working at customer premises, staff must show respect for the property and maintain safe access routes. Trip hazards such as loose packaging or tools should be kept to a minimum and cleared promptly. Doors, gates and pathways used for removals must be kept as clear as possible to avoid obstruction or injury.

Particular care will be taken when working in communal areas, shared driveways or busy streets. Where necessary, workers may guide vehicles into position and use clear verbal communication and agreed signals to keep manoeuvres safe. Attention will also be given to noise, timing of work and considerate behaviour towards neighbours and other members of the public.

Training, information and supervision

Man with Van South Tottenham will ensure that all staff receive appropriate instruction and training relevant to their role. This may include induction for new starters, manual handling guidance, vehicle safety information and updates when working procedures change. Supervision will be provided, especially for new or less experienced staff, to make sure that safety standards are understood and followed in everyday work.

Accident reporting and emergency procedures

All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records will be kept so that trends or recurrent issues can be identified and addressed. Where needed, emergency services will be contacted without delay and staff must know how to describe their location and the nature of the incident clearly.

In the event of injury, appropriate first aid will be sought and the work area made safe to prevent further harm. Vehicles involved in road incidents must be secured and made visible to other road users. Customers will be informed of any significant incident that occurs on their premises or that affects their booking.

Policy review and continuous improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our work activities, equipment, vehicles or relevant legislation. Feedback from staff and customers is encouraged so that we can improve our procedures and maintain high standards of safety across all removal and man and van services.

By working together and following the guidelines set out in this policy, Man with Van South Tottenham aims to ensure that every move, whether large or small, is carried out as safely and efficiently as possible.