Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Acton

Man with Van Acton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, subcontractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in connection with our removal and transport services, including house moves, office relocations, furniture delivery, and related activities in our service area.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, protect health, and minimise risks arising from our work. We aim to:

Identify and manage hazards associated with lifting, loading, driving, and working in and around properties and vehicles.

Provide and maintain safe equipment, vehicles, and systems of work.

Ensure our workforce is trained, competent, and supervised as appropriate.

Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice.

Encourage a positive health and safety culture where everyone takes responsibility for safety.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man with Van Acton has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are provided. Management will:

Assess health and safety risks in connection with removal, packing, loading, transportation, and unloading tasks.

Regularly review safe working procedures to reflect changes in operations, legislation, and best practice.

Ensure that vehicles, lifting equipment, and tools are maintained in safe working condition.

Provide information, instruction, and training so that employees understand their duties and can work safely.

Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses to identify root causes and take corrective action.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and subcontractors working on behalf of Man with Van Acton share responsibility for maintaining safe working conditions. Every team member must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all safety instructions, training, and documented safe systems of work.

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

Report hazards, near misses, and accidents to management without delay.

Refrain from any act or omission that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers, or the public.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our activities and introduce appropriate control measures. These cover, as a minimum:

Manual handling associated with moving furniture, appliances, and personal belongings.

Use of moving aids, such as trolleys and straps, to minimise strain and reduce risk of injury.

Loading and securing items in vehicles to prevent movement during transit and ensure stability.

Working in customers homes, offices, communal areas, and external spaces, including access routes and stairways.

Weather and environmental conditions that may impact lifting, carrying, and vehicle operation.

Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and updated when our services, vehicles, equipment, or methods change, or following any significant incident.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core element of our work. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, we:

Train staff in correct lifting techniques and team lifting for heavy or awkward items.

Encourage the use of mechanical aids such as sack trucks and furniture dollies wherever practicable.

Plan lifts in advance, considering the route, obstructions, and resting points where needed.

Instruct staff not to attempt to move items that are beyond safe handling limits without additional assistance or equipment.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our removal vehicles are essential to our operations, and their safe use is a priority. We:

Ensure that all drivers are appropriately licensed, competent, and familiar with the vehicles they operate.

Carry out regular vehicle inspections and maintenance to keep vehicles roadworthy and safe.

Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits, and parking regulations at all times.

Instruct staff to secure loads properly to prevent shifting during transit and to avoid overloading vehicles.

Encourage safe route planning to reduce stress, avoid unnecessary risks, and protect pedestrians and other road users.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to minimise disruption and risk in and around customer premises and public areas. Our teams will:

Assess access routes, stairways, and entrances for hazards and address them when reasonably practicable.

Place equipment, ramps, and protective coverings in a way that maintains safe passage for occupants and visitors.

Take care to avoid damage to property, fixtures, and fittings that could create safety risks.

Communicate clearly with customers about any restrictions or safety considerations during the move.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide training and information to ensure that our staff understand this policy and how to apply it in daily work. This includes:

Induction training for new staff covering core health and safety requirements and company procedures.

Task-specific training for manual handling, use of lifting equipment, vehicle operation, and load securing.

Ongoing refresher training to maintain awareness and competence.

Supervision of less experienced staff by competent and knowledgeable team leaders.

Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported promptly so they can be recorded, investigated, and used to improve safety. We will:

Maintain an internal record of all reported events.

Investigate to determine causes and identify preventative measures.

Share relevant lessons with staff and update procedures or training where necessary.

Health, Welfare, and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and the importance of staff welfare. To support this, we:

Encourage staff to report any health conditions that may affect their ability to perform specific tasks safely.

Discourage working while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or while unfit due to fatigue or illness.

Promote appropriate rest breaks, hydration, and safe working hours.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains suitable, effective, and aligned with our services and legal obligations. The policy may be updated following changes in relevant legislation, our operations, or in response to incidents, with the aim of continually improving our safety performance across all removal and transport activities carried out by Man with Van Acton.