Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Eltham

Man With a Van Eltham is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our work. This Health and Safety Policy supports our removal and delivery services and sets out our approach to managing risks associated with transport, lifting, carrying and working in a range of domestic and commercial premises.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and disruption to our customers. We aim to achieve this through effective planning, training, supervision and continuous improvement in all aspects of our removal operations.

We will, so far as reasonably practicable:

Identify, assess and control risks arising from our work activities.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and tools.

Ensure all workers are competent to carry out their tasks.

Provide clear information and instructions on safe working practices.

Promote a positive health and safety culture throughout our business.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Eltham is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes ensuring that health and safety is considered in all planning and decision-making related to our removal services and related activities.

Managers and supervisors will:

Carry out and regularly review risk assessments for removal work, loading, unloading, driving and on-site activities.

Make sure that any actions identified in risk assessments are implemented and monitored.

Provide suitable training, instruction and supervision to employees and contractors.

Ensure that vehicles and lifting equipment are maintained in a safe condition.

Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, drivers, porters and contractors working with Man With a Van Eltham share responsibility for their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions.

All workers are expected to:

Follow all safety procedures and instructions provided by the company.

Use vehicles, equipment and protective gear correctly and report any defects without delay.

Take reasonable care when lifting, carrying and moving items to avoid injury.

Cooperate with management in the implementation of this policy and risk control measures.

Report any hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents or near misses as soon as possible.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our typical moving and transport activities, including packing, loading, unloading, carrying items up or down stairs, and working in confined or busy areas. These assessments consider the nature of the items being moved, access routes, vehicle positioning, weather conditions and other relevant factors.

Where necessary, we will adapt our working methods or schedule to reduce risk. This may include using additional staff, employing lifting aids, planning alternative access routes or adjusting timings to avoid congestion or unsafe conditions.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a significant source of potential injury. To minimise these risks we will:

Provide training on safe lifting and carrying techniques.

Encourage team lifting for heavy or awkward items.

Use trolleys, skates and other handling aids where appropriate.

Avoid unnecessary carrying by planning efficient loading and unloading.

Refuse to move items that present an unacceptable risk to the team, property or members of the public.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our removal services and are maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition. Regular checks and servicing are carried out to ensure ongoing safety and reliability.

Drivers are required to:

Carry out daily vehicle checks before use, including tyres, lights and load security.

Comply with road traffic legislation, speed limits and parking rules.

Plan routes to reduce congestion and minimise risk to pedestrians and other road users.

Secure all loads properly to prevent movement and damage during transit.

Never drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that may impair performance.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise that our work often takes place in occupied homes, shared buildings and busy streets. We are committed to protecting customers, neighbours and members of the public from risk arising from our operations.

To achieve this we will:

Position vehicles safely to reduce obstruction and maintain clear access where possible.

Manage entry and exit routes and keep them as clear as practicable.

Use safe lifting routes within properties to minimise the risk of trips, slips and impacts.

Take care to protect floors, walls, fixtures and fittings while moving items.

Cease operations temporarily if a situation becomes unsafe and resume only when it is safe to do so.

Equipment, Protective Gear and Maintenance

We provide suitable equipment and protective gear, such as gloves, safety footwear and lifting aids, appropriate to the work being carried out. All equipment is inspected regularly and maintained in a safe condition. Any defective items are removed from service immediately.

All workers must use the provided equipment and protective gear when required and must not misuse or interfere with any safety devices or equipment.

Training, Information and Supervision

We ensure that all staff receive appropriate health and safety training relevant to their roles, including induction training for new starters and refresher training for existing staff when needed. This covers manual handling, vehicle safety, site awareness and emergency procedures.

Supervision is provided to ensure that safe working practices are followed, particularly for new or inexperienced staff and for higher-risk activities.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. We investigate such events to identify root causes and take steps to prevent similar occurrences. First aid provisions are available during working activities, and staff are instructed on the actions to take in an emergency situation.

In the event of fire, structural damage or any other serious hazard, our team will prioritise evacuation and personal safety over the protection of property or belongings and will follow the relevant emergency procedures for the site.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in our operations, legal requirements and industry best practice. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and used to help improve our safety performance.

By working together and following this policy, Man With a Van Eltham aims to deliver reliable, efficient and safe removal services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved in or affected by our work.