Man and a Van Highbury Health and Safety Policy
Man and a Van Highbury 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 domestic and commercial removal activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all moving, loading, transport and delivery tasks.
We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice, and we aim to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and unsafe practices during every removal job we undertake.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The core aims of this Health and Safety Policy are to:
Promote a positive safety culture throughout the company and in all removal operations.
Identify, assess and control health and safety risks associated with lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and transport of goods.
Provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to employees and contractors.
Protect customers, visitors and members of the public from foreseeable risks arising from our work.
Continuously review and improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man and a Van Highbury is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that effective arrangements are in place for health and safety. This includes:
Ensuring that day-to-day operations for home moves, office moves and deliveries are properly planned and risk assessed.
Providing suitable equipment and vehicles that are safe, well maintained and appropriate for the type and weight of loads carried.
Establishing clear procedures for manual handling, loading, vehicle checks, accident reporting and emergency situations.
Ensuring that employees are competent for their roles through training, induction and ongoing refresher sessions.
Reviewing incident reports, near misses and customer feedback to identify areas for improvement.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They are expected to:
Follow all company safety procedures and instructions, including those relating to manual handling and vehicle use.
Use equipment, tools and vehicles only for their intended purpose and report any defects immediately.
Wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment provided by the company where required.
Cooperate with management in the implementation of this policy and any related procedures.
Report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents and near misses as soon as possible so that corrective action can be taken.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before undertaking removal work, Man and a Van Highbury assesses the risks associated with the premises, access routes, loads and transport requirements. Where reasonably practicable, we will:
Evaluate the environment at collection and delivery locations, including stairs, narrow corridors, parking areas and lifting routes.
Consider the weight, size, fragility and stability of items to be moved and select appropriate handling methods.
Plan safe systems of work that minimise manual lifting and reduce the likelihood of slips, trips and falls.
Ensure that vehicles are loaded and unloaded in a controlled manner to prevent injury and damage.
Brief team members on specific risks for each job, including any special precautions for high value or awkward items.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant part of removal work, and we take steps to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries by:
Training staff in correct lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifting and use of mechanical aids where available.
Encouraging staff to assess each lift and not attempt to move items that are too heavy or unsafe without assistance.
Using appropriate equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, straps and blankets to support safe handling and load security.
Ensuring that walkways and loading areas are kept as clear as reasonably practicable to avoid obstructions.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are a key part of our removal service, and their safe operation is essential. To maintain high standards, we will:
Carry out regular checks and servicing of vehicles in accordance with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.
Require drivers to complete pre-use checks and report any defects or concerns without delay.
Ensure that loads are distributed and secured correctly to prevent shifting during transit.
Promote safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, consideration of weather and road conditions, and avoidance of distractions.
Plan routes to reduce unnecessary risk where reasonably practicable, taking account of access, parking and local restrictions.
Customer and Public Safety
We take reasonable steps to protect customers and members of the public during removal activities by:
Positioning vehicles and equipment to minimise obstruction to pavements, entrances and roadways where possible.
Maintaining clear communication with customers about timings, access requirements and any temporary restrictions during moving activities.
Managing loading and unloading operations to avoid items being left in unsafe positions or creating trip hazards.
Respecting customer property, taking care not to cause avoidable damage to buildings, furnishings or personal belongings.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man and a Van Highbury provides training and supervision appropriate to the roles and responsibilities of staff. This includes:
Induction training on company health and safety procedures for new employees.
Manual handling and safe lifting training relevant to domestic and commercial removals.
Guidance on safe operation of vehicles and handling equipment.
Ongoing supervision during work, particularly for newer or less experienced staff, to ensure safe practices are followed.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses and incidents related to health and safety must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. We will:
Record and investigate incidents to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
Take corrective action where hazards are identified, including changes to equipment, procedures or training.
Provide guidance to staff on what to do in the event of injury, fire, vehicle breakdown or other emergencies.
Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation or industry best practice. We are committed to improving our safety performance and welcome feedback from employees and customers to help us enhance our procedures.
By working together, Man and a Van Highbury aims to deliver reliable removal services while maintaining a safe environment for everyone involved in our activities.
