Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van South Croydon

Man with Van South Croydon is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, subcontractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading household, office and commercial goods.

Policy Aims and Objectives

Our primary aim is to prevent injury, ill-health, property damage and unsafe practices during any removal or delivery service. We will achieve this by:

Identifying and managing risks associated with lifting, carrying, driving, loading, unloading and working in and around customer premises and vehicles. Ensuring staff are trained and equipped to carry out their work safely. Maintaining vehicles, equipment and handling aids in a safe condition. Promoting a culture where health and safety is everyone’s responsibility. Complying with applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:

Providing clear instructions, information and supervision to staff and regular workers. Ensuring risk assessments are carried out, recorded where required and regularly reviewed. Providing appropriate personal protective equipment where necessary. Making sure vehicles, ramps, trolleys and other equipment are fit for purpose and maintained. Investigating accidents, near misses and incidents to prevent recurrence. Allocating sufficient resources to support safe working practices.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular workers have a legal and moral duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Each person working for Man with Van South Croydon is expected to:

Follow all safety instructions, training and safe systems of work. Use equipment, vehicles, lifting aids and personal protective equipment correctly. Report hazards, defects, near misses, injuries and health concerns to management without delay. Cooperate with management to enable compliance with health and safety obligations. Refrain from any reckless or unsafe behaviour, including working under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments in relation to our work activities, including manual handling, working in confined or restricted spaces, driving and loading, and working at or near roadways. Where necessary, site-specific assessments are completed for more complex removals or deliveries.

Based on these assessments we develop and implement safe working practices, including:

Planning access routes, parking and loading areas to minimise reversing and vehicle movements. Assessing the weight, size and shape of items before lifting or moving them. Using team lifting and mechanical aids whenever practical. Ensuring clear communication between team members during heavy or awkward lifts. Controlling entry to work areas to prevent harm to customers, children, pets and visitors.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a major element of removal work. To minimise the risk of strains, sprains and other injuries, we:

Provide training in safe lifting techniques and posture. Use trolleys, dollies, sack trucks, straps and other handling aids where suitable. Encourage staff to avoid single-person lifts of heavy or bulky items whenever possible. Plan routes that avoid unnecessary stair use or obstacles. Instruct staff to stop work and seek guidance if a load appears unsafe to move.

All equipment and handling aids are inspected and maintained to ensure they remain safe and effective. Any defective equipment is taken out of service immediately.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are a central part of our services and must be operated safely at all times. We ensure that:

Drivers hold the appropriate licence and are competent to drive the vehicles assigned to them. Vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained, including tyres, brakes, lights and securing points. Loads are distributed evenly, secured properly and do not exceed permitted weight limits. Drivers comply with traffic laws, speed limits and parking rules. Journeys are planned to reduce stress, fatigue and unnecessary risks.

Drivers must not operate vehicles if they are unfit to drive due to tiredness, medication, alcohol, drugs or any other reason that could impair safe driving.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer homes, offices or commercial premises, we take reasonable steps to protect the safety of all occupants and visitors. This includes:

Keeping access routes as clear as practicable. Using warning signs or verbal warnings where trip or slip hazards may arise. Taking extra care on stairs, landings and narrow corridors. Protecting building surfaces from damage where possible. Being mindful of noise, disruption and shared spaces used by other people.

We will work with customers to agree safe access arrangements and may refuse to carry out work if conditions present an unacceptable health and safety risk.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van South Croydon provides appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to roles and responsibilities. This may include:

Manual handling and lifting techniques. Safe loading and securing of goods. Vehicle safety and defensive driving principles. Use of equipment and personal protective equipment. Emergency procedures and incident reporting.

Less experienced staff are supervised until they are competent to work independently. Refresher training is provided when procedures change or where a need is identified.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We maintain appropriate records and, where required, will report incidents in line with statutory obligations.

Emergency procedures are communicated to staff and include actions to take in the event of fire, serious injury, road traffic incidents or other emergencies. Staff must follow these procedures and cooperate with emergency services when necessary.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals, or sooner if there are significant changes to our operations, legal requirements or industry guidance. Feedback from employees, contractors and customers is welcomed and used to improve safety standards and working practices.

By working together and maintaining a proactive approach to health and safety, Man with Van South Croydon aims to deliver reliable removal and transport services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved.