Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Hornchurch Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitments and procedures adopted by Man With a Van Hornchurch to protect the health, safety and welfare of our workers, customers, visitors and members of the public. Our services include domestic and commercial removals, man and van hire, and transport of goods across our wider service area.

We recognise that removal work presents particular risks, including manual handling, driving, loading and unloading, and working in unfamiliar properties. We are committed to managing these risks in a systematic and proactive way.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, protect health, and ensure safe working conditions for everyone affected by our activities. To achieve this, we will:

Identify, assess and control risks associated with removals, lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and driving.
Provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision for all workers.
Maintain vehicles, equipment and work practices to a safe standard.
Promote a safety culture where everyone takes responsibility for their own safety and that of others.
Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Hornchurch is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that suitable resources are allocated to health and safety. Management will:

Carry out and maintain risk assessments for typical removal and transport activities.
Ensure that safety procedures are developed, communicated and followed.
Provide and maintain any necessary safety equipment and protective clothing.
Monitor working practices and investigate any incidents, accidents or near misses.
Review the Health and Safety Policy regularly and update it where necessary.

Employee Responsibilities

All workers, including drivers, porters and contractors, have a duty to cooperate with this policy and follow the instructions given for their own safety and the safety of others. Workers must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety at work.
Use equipment, vehicles and protective items correctly and not misuse or interfere with them.
Follow safe systems of work and training provided for lifting, carrying and loading.
Report hazards, defects, accidents and near misses to management as soon as possible.
Not undertake tasks for which they are not trained or competent.
Not work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair their ability to work safely.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will identify hazards and assess risks for typical removal and transport tasks, including lifting and carrying furniture and appliances, negotiating stairs and confined spaces, working in varying weather conditions, and driving between locations. Based on these assessments, we will establish and apply safe working practices, including:

Planning each job in advance, considering access, parking, likely lifting requirements and any special risks.
Using appropriate lifting techniques and, where possible, sharing heavy loads between team members or using handling equipment.
Positioning vehicles safely, taking into account traffic, pedestrians and property access.
Stacking and securing items in vehicles to prevent shifting during transport.
Adapting methods when working in properties with narrow staircases, low ceilings or other constraints.

Manual Handling and Load Security

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a significant source of potential injury. To reduce risks:

Workers will be trained in safe lifting techniques, including assessing load weight, using leg muscles, and avoiding twisting while carrying.
Where practicable, trolleys, dollies and other aids will be used to reduce the strain of heavy or bulky items.
Loads will not exceed the safe capabilities of individual workers or the team as a whole.
Furniture and goods will be secured within the vehicle using straps, blankets and appropriate stacking methods to minimise movement and damage.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our service and must be operated safely at all times. We will:

Ensure vehicles are properly maintained, inspected regularly and kept roadworthy.
Comply with legal requirements for driving, loading limits and vehicle safety.
Require drivers to hold the appropriate licence for the vehicle they operate.
Promote safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, defensive driving and avoidance of distraction.
Plan routes sensibly to allow realistic journey times and reduce pressure on drivers.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, their property and members of the public while we work. We will:

Assess each site for risks such as trip hazards, poor lighting, uneven surfaces and restricted access.
Keep work areas as tidy and organised as reasonably practicable.
Take care when moving large items through doorways, corridors and communal areas.
Respect customer property and use protective materials where appropriate to help prevent damage.
Communicate clearly with customers about any hazards and the safest way for them to move around while work is in progress.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man With a Van Hornchurch will provide relevant training and information so workers can carry out their duties safely. This may include induction training for new staff, manual handling training, guidance on loading and securing goods, and safe driving expectations. Supervision will be provided according to the experience and competence of each worker, with additional support given on complex or high-risk jobs.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management promptly. We will record and, where necessary, investigate these events to understand causes and implement improvements. In the event of an emergency, such as injury, fire or serious vehicle incident, workers must prioritise safety, contact the appropriate emergency services, and follow any agreed emergency procedures.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be monitored on an ongoing basis. We will review it regularly, and after any significant change in our operations or relevant legislation. Feedback from workers and customers, incident reports and observations on site will be used to improve our safety arrangements and working practices.

By working together, Man With a Van Hornchurch aims to deliver reliable removal and transport services while maintaining high standards of health and safety for everyone involved.