Man With a Van Balham Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Balham is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public affected by our removal and transport services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our principles, responsibilities and arrangements for managing risks associated with moving, handling, loading, unloading and transporting goods.

Policy Aims and Scope

The aim of this policy is to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property during all aspects of our man and van and removal operations. It applies to all members of staff, including drivers, porters, supervisors, office staff and temporary workers, as well as subcontractors working on our behalf.

Our objectives are to:

Promote a positive health and safety culture across the business.

Identify and control hazards arising from our activities.

Provide information, instruction, supervision and training to enable staff to work safely.

Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man With a Van Balham accepts overall responsibility for health and safety and will ensure that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy. Management will:

Establish and maintain safe systems of work for removal and transport operations.

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

Carry out and record suitable and proportionate risk assessments for all key activities.

Provide appropriate personal protective equipment where necessary.

Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses and implement corrective actions.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees 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. Employees must:

Follow the safety procedures and instructions provided by the company.

Use equipment, tools and personal protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately.

Report hazards, near misses, accidents or unsafe practices without delay.

Cooperate with training, supervision and health and safety initiatives.

Avoid horseplay, unsafe shortcuts or any behaviour likely to endanger themselves or others.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We will carry out risk assessments for typical moving and transport activities, including lifting and carrying items, use of trolleys and lifting aids, loading and unloading vehicles, driving, parking near clients premises and working in confined spaces such as stairwells and narrow corridors. These assessments will be reviewed periodically and whenever a significant change occurs in work processes or conditions.

Safe systems of work will be developed and implemented for tasks such as:

Manual handling of furniture, appliances and boxes.

Use of ramps, tail lifts, straps and securing devices.

Parking and operating vehicles in busy residential or commercial streets.

Working in multi-occupancy buildings, shared access areas and communal spaces.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a major element of removal work and will be managed carefully to minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. We will:

Assess the weight, size and shape of items before lifting.

Use team lifting, trolleys and other aids wherever practicable.

Provide training in safe lifting techniques, posture and load assessment.

Plan routes in and out of properties to avoid unnecessary carrying and obstacles.

Refuse to move items that cannot be lifted or carried safely with reasonable means.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our operations and will be operated in a responsible and safe manner. Man With a Van Balham will:

Ensure vehicles are roadworthy, regularly inspected and maintained in line with manufacturer guidance.

Check that drivers hold the appropriate valid licence and are medically fit to drive.

Require drivers to follow all road traffic laws and drive defensively and considerately.

Secure loads inside vehicles to prevent movement, damage or injury.

Plan routes and schedules to reduce the risk of fatigue and time pressure.

Protection of Customers and the Public

We recognise our duty to protect customers, visitors, neighbours and members of the public from risks arising from our removal activities in homes, offices and public areas. To achieve this we will:

Position vehicles safely to reduce obstruction and maintain access for pedestrians and other road users.

Use warning signs or verbal warnings where there is moving equipment or temporary hazards.

Keep pathways, stairs and entrances as clear as reasonably possible during moves.

Handle customers property with care to avoid damage and hazards such as trip risks.

Training, Information and Supervision

We will provide suitable training and information for all employees so they can carry out their duties safely and competently. This includes:

Induction training on company health and safety procedures.

Manual handling and safe lifting techniques.

Use of moving equipment, including trolleys, straps and ramps.

Vehicle safety, load securing and safe driving expectations.

Emergency procedures, accident reporting and incident response.

Supervisors and experienced team members will monitor work on site and provide guidance, particularly for new or less experienced staff.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will maintain records of such events and use them to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Emergency procedures will cover situations such as road traffic incidents, injuries during lifting, fire at customer premises and loss or damage of loads posing safety risks. Employees will be briefed on how to respond, including contacting emergency services where necessary and securing the scene to prevent further harm.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains appropriate to the nature and scale of our removal and man and van services. Reviews will take account of any changes in legislation, guidance, industry practice, our activities or the outcomes of accident and incident investigations.

We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and to working with employees, customers and other stakeholders to maintain high standards throughout our operations.