Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Bexleyheath
Man with Van Bexleyheath is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, customers and members of the public. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow when carrying out removals, collections, deliveries and related transport services.
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment, while delivering a reliable and efficient moving service.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Man with Van Bexleyheath accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance. We will provide appropriate resources, information, training and supervision to ensure that all activities are carried out safely and in accordance with relevant health and safety legislation.
Management will regularly review this policy, risk assessments and working methods to improve safety standards and reflect changes in our operations or in legal requirements.
Employee Responsibilities
Every worker has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. All staff must:
Follow all safety instructions and training provided.
Use equipment and vehicles in a safe and responsible manner.
Report accidents, near misses, hazards or defective equipment without delay.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment where required.
Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and any associated procedures.
Unsafe behaviour, deliberate misuse of equipment, or failure to follow safety instructions may lead to disciplinary action and possible removal from duties.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before each job, we assess the tasks to identify potential hazards such as manual handling risks, trip hazards, access issues, vehicle movements and weather conditions. Where significant risks are identified, we put in place control measures and safe systems of work to minimise them.
Examples of control measures include planning safe lifting techniques, using lifting aids where appropriate, checking routes in and out of properties, and ensuring clear communication between team members.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Much of our work involves lifting and carrying furniture, boxes and household or office items. To reduce the risk of back injuries and strains, all staff receive guidance on correct manual handling techniques, including:
Assessing the weight and shape of items before lifting.
Requesting assistance or equipment for heavy or awkward loads.
Keeping loads close to the body and avoiding twisting while lifting.
Using trolleys, straps and other aids where practical.
We reserve the right to refuse to move items that are unsafe to handle due to excessive weight, poor condition or other hazards.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and inspected regularly. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic pre-use checks and reporting any defects immediately.
All driving must be carried out in accordance with road traffic laws and company procedures. Drivers must:
Drive at safe speeds and adjust to traffic, road and weather conditions.
Ensure loads are properly secured to prevent shifting during transit.
Never drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that may impair driving.
Avoid the use of handheld mobile devices while driving.
Any collision, vehicle damage or near miss must be reported to management as soon as practicable.
Working at Customer Premises
When working in homes, offices or other premises, our staff must respect the safety of occupants and visitors. We will:
Keep access routes as clear as reasonably possible.
Use appropriate lifting and carrying routes to avoid damage and obstructions.
Take extra care on stairs, ramps and uneven surfaces.
Highlight any immediate hazards we identify to the customer.
Customers are requested to remove personal obstacles, secure pets and children away from working areas, and inform us of any known risks such as fragile flooring or restricted access.
Use of Equipment
Only trained and authorised staff may use company equipment such as trolleys, straps, ramps or lifting devices. All equipment must be inspected before use, used in line with instructions and stored safely after use.
Any damaged or defective equipment must be removed from service and reported so that it can be repaired or replaced.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where necessary, we provide personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, high visibility clothing or other items appropriate to the task. Staff must use this equipment correctly and report any loss or damage.
Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses
All accidents, injuries, dangerous occurrences and near misses must be reported promptly to management. We will record such events, investigate their causes and take appropriate action to prevent recurrence.
Where required, we will cooperate with authorities and customers in providing information about incidents that occur during our work.
Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work
We recognise that moving work is physically demanding and requires staff to be fit for duty. Employees must inform management of any health conditions or medication that may affect their ability to work safely, particularly in relation to lifting and driving.
We do not permit staff to work under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances. Anyone suspected of being unfit for work may be removed from duty for the safety of themselves and others.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Our staff will make themselves aware of any fire exits, alarms and assembly points when working at customer properties or other premises where such information is provided.
In the event of an emergency, the safety of people is our priority. Staff are instructed to follow local emergency procedures, evacuate promptly where required and contact the emergency services if necessary.
Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and up to date with operational needs and legal requirements. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed to help us improve our safety performance.
By instructing Man with Van Bexleyheath, customers can expect that we will carry out work in a way that promotes the health and safety of everyone involved, while protecting property and providing a professional removal and transport service.
