Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Twickenham

Man with Van Twickenham is committed to providing a professional, reliable and safe removal service. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to protecting our staff, customers, visitors and the general public while we carry out domestic and commercial moves, furniture transport and related services.

Policy Aim and Scope

The aim of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property during all removal and transport activities. It applies to all members of our team, including permanent staff, casual workers, contractors and any person working under our control, at all locations where we operate and on all vehicles used for work.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for providing a safe system of work and ensuring that health and safety considerations are integrated into all planning and operational decisions. This includes identifying and assessing risks, implementing appropriate control measures, providing necessary resources and ensuring that staff receive training relevant to their duties.

Managers will review this policy regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, industry guidance or applicable health and safety requirements. Any updates will be communicated to all team members.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and workers have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow all safety instructions, use equipment correctly, cooperate with management in implementing this policy and promptly report any hazards, incidents or near misses.

Staff must not carry out tasks for which they have not been trained or which they believe cannot be performed safely. If in doubt about any aspect of health and safety during a removal or transport job, they must stop work and seek guidance from a supervisor or manager.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before each removal job, a risk assessment is carried out in order to identify potential hazards, such as restricted access, heavy or awkward items, fragile belongings, parking limitations and traffic conditions in the service area. The assessment informs the number of staff required, the equipment to be used and the methods for lifting, loading and transporting items.

Where the working environment presents additional risks, such as stairs, communal entrances or busy roadside loading zones, extra precautions are taken. This may include scheduling work at quieter times, using additional staff, employing specific lifting techniques and using warning signs or cones where appropriate and reasonably practicable.

Safe Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work, so particular emphasis is placed on safe lifting practices. Staff are trained in correct posture, team lifting, use of lifting aids and recognition of personal limitations. No employee is expected to lift items that are beyond their capability or that cannot be moved safely with the available equipment and manpower.

Where possible, mechanical aids such as sack trucks, trolleys, furniture dollies and straps are used to reduce the need for manual lifting. Heavy or bulky items are assessed individually and may require additional personnel, dismantling prior to movement or refusal if safe handling cannot be ensured.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

All vehicles used by Man with Van Twickenham must be maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular inspections and servicing. Drivers must hold a valid driving licence appropriate to the vehicle they operate and must follow all road traffic rules at all times.

Loading and unloading are carried out with care to avoid shifting of loads in transit. Items are secured using appropriate straps, blankets and other restraints to prevent damage and reduce risks to the driver, passengers and other road users. Drivers are expected to plan routes with safety in mind and to allow sufficient time for journeys to avoid rushing.

Safe Use of Equipment

All equipment provided for lifting, carrying, loading and securing items must be suitable for its intended purpose and kept in good condition. Staff receive instruction in the safe use and inspection of equipment such as trolleys, ramps and securing straps. Any defective or damaged equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of use until repaired or replaced.

Customer and Public Safety

During removal operations, care is taken to protect customers, visitors and members of the public. Walkways are kept as clear as reasonably possible, and where there is a risk of trips or collisions, staff will control access or provide clear verbal warnings. Doors, gates and communal areas are managed carefully to maintain fire escape routes and safe movement for all building users.

We take reasonable steps to avoid damage to customer premises, including the use of protective coverings where appropriate. Any incidents that could affect the safety of occupants or neighbours are reported and addressed promptly.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Twickenham provides ongoing training and information to ensure that staff understand their responsibilities and are competent to perform their tasks safely. Training covers manual handling, safe use of vehicles and equipment, incident reporting, personal protective equipment and customer care in relation to safety.

New staff receive an induction that includes our Health and Safety policy, and less experienced workers are supervised until they are assessed as competent. Refresher training is provided when working practices change or when a need for additional training is identified through incident reviews or performance monitoring.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to management. Records are kept of incidents to help identify trends and areas for improvement. When an incident occurs, an investigation is carried out to determine the root causes and to implement corrective actions that reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We regularly monitor our health and safety performance through site observations, vehicle checks, equipment inspections and feedback from staff and customers. This information is used to review and improve our procedures, risk assessments and training programs.

Man with Van Twickenham is committed to continual improvement in health and safety. By working together, management and staff aim to maintain a safe environment for everyone involved in or affected by our removal services.