Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Croydon Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Croydon is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and standards that guide how we plan, deliver and monitor all moving and relocation services.

Policy Objectives

The primary objectives of this policy are to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property, and to promote a positive safety culture throughout our organisation. We aim to manage health and safety with the same priority as service quality and customer care, and to continually improve our performance in line with best practice in the removals and transport sector.

Legal Compliance and Responsibilities

We will meet all applicable health and safety legislation relevant to our operations. This includes safe systems of work for manual handling, vehicle operations, loading and unloading, and the use of equipment and tools.

The business owner and management hold overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Croydon. They will ensure that appropriate resources, training and supervision are provided so that this policy is implemented effectively. Every employee and contractor also has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions, and to cooperate with the company in fulfilling its legal and policy obligations.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We conduct risk assessments for our core activities, including domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading of vehicles, packing and unpacking, and short distance transport services. These assessments identify the main hazards, such as manual handling risks, trips and falls, vehicle movements, working in confined or cluttered spaces, and adverse weather conditions.

Control measures will be implemented and reviewed regularly. These include planning each removal job in advance, selecting appropriate staff numbers for the work involved, using suitable lifting techniques and equipment, and ensuring that access routes are safe and clear wherever reasonably practicable.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work, and we take steps to minimise the risk of injuries. Staff are trained in correct lifting and carrying techniques, team lifting for heavy or awkward items, and the use of handling aids such as trolleys, dollies and straps where these are available and appropriate.

Only equipment that is suitable for the task and in good working order will be used. All tools and aids must be checked visually before use, stored properly when not in use, and taken out of service if they are damaged or unsafe. Staff must never attempt to lift or move items that exceed safe limits or that they are not confident they can handle safely.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are critical to the safe delivery of our moving services. We maintain them in a roadworthy condition and ensure they are suitable for the loads they carry. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, brakes, lights, securing points and load areas, and any defects are reported promptly and rectified before the vehicle is used.

Drivers must hold the appropriate driving licence, follow road traffic laws at all times, and drive in a safe and considerate manner. Loads must be evenly distributed and adequately secured to prevent movement during transport. Doors, ramps and tailgates must be used correctly and safely when loading and unloading.

Safe Customer Premises and Access

We recognise that our work takes place in a variety of locations, including homes, offices and storage facilities. Before starting work, our staff will, as far as reasonably practicable, assess access routes, stairways, lifts, driveways and parking areas for potential hazards.

Where necessary, we will discuss with customers how to improve safety, for example by clearing walkways, securing pets, keeping children away from work areas, and planning access points for the removal team and vehicle. If our team believes a situation presents an unacceptable risk, work may be paused while appropriate controls are put in place or an alternative approach is agreed.

Training, Supervision and Competence

All staff receive appropriate induction and on-the-job training covering health and safety responsibilities, safe lifting, working at customers premises, use of equipment, and vehicle safety. Additional guidance is provided when new tasks, tools or procedures are introduced.

Supervisors and senior staff are responsible for monitoring working practices and correcting unsafe behaviour. We encourage open communication so that team members can raise safety concerns or suggest improvements without fear of criticism. Ongoing training needs are reviewed regularly to maintain and enhance competence.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses and hazardous situations must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will record and, where necessary, investigate such events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Lessons learned from incidents are shared with the team and used to strengthen our procedures and training.

Welfare, Health and Wellbeing

We recognise that physical and mental wellbeing are important to safe working. Staff are encouraged to take appropriate rest breaks, stay hydrated and work at a sensible pace, especially during demanding moves or in hot or cold weather. We will not require staff to work excessive hours or continue tasks when they are too fatigued to do so safely.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation, or industry guidance. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and used to inform improvements in how we manage risks and deliver our services.

By following this policy, Man with Van Croydon aims to provide reliable, efficient and safe removal services for all customers, protecting our team, the public and the property entrusted to our care.