Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Ardleigh Green
Man with Van Ardleigh Green 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 removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with house moves, office relocations, loading, unloading and the transportation of goods.
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing appropriate control measures. Health and safety is an integral part of the way we plan and deliver our man and van and removal services.
Our Health and Safety Responsibilities
The overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Ardleigh Green rests with the company management, who ensure that suitable resources, equipment and training are provided. Management will:
Ensure that health and safety considerations are built into all aspects of removal planning and daily operations.
Comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised guidance relating to transport, manual handling and workplace safety.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and tools in good working order.
Review this policy regularly and revise it as necessary to reflect changes in law, best practice and our service activities.
All employees and contractors have 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. They must follow all safety procedures, use the protective equipment provided and report hazards, near misses and incidents without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for typical removal activities, including domestic moves, small office relocations, loading and unloading of vehicles and the lifting and carrying of furniture and personal possessions. Where a move presents unusual or higher risks, a site-specific assessment will be made before work starts.
Control measures and safe systems of work are implemented to minimise the risk of injury or damage. These may include:
Planning access routes to and from properties, taking into account stairs, narrow doorways and parking limitations.
Using appropriate lifting techniques, team lifting methods and handling equipment such as trolleys, dollies and straps.
Securing loads within vehicles to prevent shifting during transit.
Avoiding overloading of vehicles and ensuring that weight is distributed safely.
Taking weather and lighting conditions into account when planning loading or unloading.
All employees are expected to follow these agreed procedures during every removal job.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and is a leading cause of injury in the sector. Man with Van Ardleigh Green is committed to minimising manual handling risks by:
Assessing the weight, size, shape and stability of items before lifting or moving.
Encouraging team lifts for heavy or awkward objects such as large wardrobes, sofas or appliances.
Providing handling aids where practical to reduce strain and improve control.
Training staff in correct posture, lifting techniques and the importance of recognising personal limits.
No employee is required to lift or move any item they reasonably believe to be unsafe or beyond their capability. Any such concerns must be reported to a supervisor so that alternative methods can be arranged.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are an essential part of our removal service and must be operated safely at all times. We will:
Maintain vehicles in a roadworthy and clean condition, with regular inspections and servicing.
Ensure that drivers hold the appropriate driving licence and have received relevant instruction in safe loading and unloading.
Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations.
Prohibit the use of mobile phones while driving, except with legally compliant hands-free systems where necessary.
Ensure that all loads are properly secured and that doors and ramps are safely used and stowed.
Drivers are responsible for conducting basic vehicle checks before use and reporting any defects so that prompt repairs can be arranged.
Customer and Public Safety
We take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors and members of the public during removal activities. This includes:
Planning work to minimise obstruction to pavements, entrances and shared areas.
Using safe lifting routes through properties and keeping walkways clear of trip hazards such as packaging or loose items.
Informing customers of any temporary risks, for example when heavy items are being moved through tight spaces or down stairs.
Working with care around children, pets and vulnerable persons and asking that they are kept clear of loading areas wherever possible.
We handle customer property with respect and take precautions to reduce the risk of accidental damage during handling and transit.
Training, Information and Supervision
Health and safety training is provided to all staff appropriate to their role within the removal service. This may include:
Induction training on company health and safety procedures.
Instruction on safe manual handling and use of handling equipment.
Guidance on loading, securing and unloading vehicles.
Information on emergency procedures, accident reporting and the correct use of protective equipment.
Supervisors monitor working practices on site and correct unsafe behaviour or conditions promptly. Additional training will be provided when new equipment is introduced or when risk assessments indicate a need for improvement.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and incidents involving property damage must be reported to management as soon as possible. We keep appropriate records and investigate the causes so that corrective actions can be taken to prevent recurrence.
In the event of an emergency, such as fire, road traffic collision or serious injury, employees must prioritise their own safety and that of others, contact the emergency services where required and follow agreed procedures.
Lessons learned from incidents are used to update risk assessments, working practices and this policy where necessary.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Man with Van Ardleigh Green is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. We actively welcome feedback from staff and customers on any safety concerns relating to our man and van and removal services.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, vehicles, equipment or applicable legislation. Updated versions will be communicated to all staff so that everyone understands their responsibilities in maintaining a safe, reliable and professional removal service.
