Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Highbury Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Highbury is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risk during removals, deliveries, loading, unloading, and all associated activities within our service areas.

We recognise that the nature of our work involves manual handling, driving, lifting, and operating in a variety of locations, including homes, business premises, and shared access spaces. Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, and property damage by planning work carefully, training our team thoroughly, and maintaining safe systems of work.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for Health and Safety within Man with Van Highbury rests with the company management. Management is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, reviewed regularly, and communicated clearly to all team members.

Supervisors and lead drivers are responsible for day-to-day implementation of safe working practices at each job, including checking that vehicles, equipment, and access routes are safe and that all staff follow instructions and training.

All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety, as well as that of colleagues, customers, and the public. They must follow training, use equipment correctly, report hazards and incidents promptly, and cooperate with all Health and Safety arrangements.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before work is carried out, we will assess foreseeable risks associated with each task or location. This includes considering access and egress, staircases, lifts, parking, loading zones, weather conditions, and the nature of items being moved.

Where necessary, site-specific risk assessments and method statements will be prepared. Our teams are instructed to adapt methods to suit each location, while always working within safe limits and stopping work if a situation becomes unsafe.

Typical risks considered include manual handling injuries, slips and trips, falls from height when using steps or access ramps, collisions with vehicles, damage to property, and health issues arising from over-exertion or poor posture.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removals and is managed with particular care. All team members receive training in correct lifting techniques, team lifting, use of handling aids, and assessment of weights and awkward loads before moving them.

Our approach to manual handling includes planning the route before moving items, clearing obstacles, using two-person or team lifts for heavier or bulky items, and using equipment such as trolleys, dollies, and straps where appropriate.

No employee is required to lift or carry loads that exceed safe personal limits. Staff are encouraged to speak up and request assistance or alternative methods whenever they believe a lift is unsafe.

Vehicles, Driving, and Road Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition in line with manufacturer guidance and relevant regulations. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, and securing points within the load area.

Drivers are required to hold the appropriate valid driving licence, follow traffic laws, and operate vehicles in a manner that prioritises safety over speed or convenience. This includes observing speed limits, avoiding aggressive driving, and ensuring adequate rest breaks.

Loads must be distributed evenly and secured properly using straps and other restraints so that items do not shift during transit. Drivers must not operate vehicles if they are unfit to drive for any reason, including fatigue, illness, alcohol, or drugs.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Man with Van Highbury provides equipment appropriate to the tasks undertaken, such as moving trolleys, blankets, straps, ramps, and basic hand tools. All equipment must be used only for its intended purpose and inspected before use.

Where required, personal protective equipment such as protective gloves, safety footwear, and high visibility garments will be provided. Staff must use this equipment correctly, keep it in good condition, and report any defects so that it can be repaired or replaced.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We respect that much of our work takes place in customers homes, commercial properties, and shared public spaces. Our teams take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors, and the public from risk during our work.

This includes keeping walkways as clear as practicable, using safe lifting routes, controlling access points during loading and unloading, and communicating with customers where temporary hazards cannot be avoided.

We aim to minimise noise, disruption, and obstruction to neighbours and other building users, and to avoid damage to property by using appropriate protection methods where possible.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near-misses, injuries, and damage to property must be reported to management as soon as possible. This allows us to investigate the causes, put corrective measures in place, and prevent recurrence.

In the event of a serious incident or emergency, the safety of people takes priority over property and schedules. Staff are instructed to stop work, move to a safe area, and contact emergency services when required. After any such incident, work will only resume once it is safe to do so.

Training, Supervision, and Competence

We are committed to ensuring that all staff and contractors are competent to perform their roles safely. Induction training covers our Health and Safety expectations, safe lifting practices, use of equipment, incident reporting, and customer care.

Ongoing training and refreshers are provided as needed, especially when new equipment, procedures, or regulations are introduced. Less experienced staff will work under appropriate supervision until they demonstrate the required level of competence.

Health, Welfare, and Wellbeing

Man with Van Highbury recognises the importance of general health and wellbeing in maintaining a safe workforce. We aim to organise work patterns that allow for breaks and reasonable working hours, particularly during physically demanding moves.

Staff are encouraged to notify management of any health conditions that may affect their ability to carry out certain tasks safely, so that reasonable adjustments can be considered. We do not tolerate the use of drugs or alcohol while working or driving.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically and updated where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice in the removals industry, or lessons learned from incidents and feedback.

We welcome input from employees and customers to help us improve our safety standards. By working together and maintaining a strong safety culture, Man with Van Highbury aims to deliver reliable removal services while protecting the health, safety, and welfare of everyone involved.