Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Brent Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Brent 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 transportation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our responsibilities and the arrangements we have in place to manage risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, and transporting goods.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, ill health, and damage to property by identifying and controlling hazards that may arise from our work. We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, recognised industry standards, and best practices related to removal and transport services.

Health and safety considerations are integral to all areas of our operation, including domestic removals, office moves, furniture transport, and any associated packing or storage services. We will provide the resources, training, and supervision necessary to maintain high safety standards at all times.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Brent has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:

Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out for our typical work activities, such as lifting and carrying items, navigating stairs and tight spaces, loading and unloading vehicles, and driving between locations.

Providing and maintaining safe equipment and vehicles that are suitable for the tasks they are used for, including regular inspection and servicing.

Establishing safe systems of work and clear procedures for handling heavy or bulky items, using moving equipment, and securing loads for transit.

Ensuring that all staff are informed of this policy, understand their responsibilities, and receive adequate training and supervision to work safely.

Reviewing health and safety performance and making improvements where required, including after any incident, near miss, or change in our services.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors working with Man With a Van Brent have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes:

Following all safe working procedures and instructions provided by management and supervisors.

Using equipment, vehicles, and protective gear correctly and reporting any defects or concerns immediately.

Attending relevant training sessions and keeping up to date with safe manual handling techniques and other safety practices.

Refraining from reckless or unsafe behaviour, including the misuse of equipment, unsafe lifting, or distracted driving.

Reporting accidents, incidents, near misses, and hazards promptly so that appropriate actions can be taken to prevent recurrence.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We conduct risk assessments for our typical work activities and locations. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling injuries, slips and trips, vehicle movements, falls from height when accessing vehicles, and damage to goods or property.

Safe working practices include but are not limited to:

Planning each move in advance, including assessing access routes, stairs, lifts, doorways, and parking arrangements at collection and delivery addresses.

Using appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, blankets, and ramps to reduce manual handling risks and protect goods.

Applying correct manual handling techniques, including team lifting for heavy or awkward items and never attempting to lift beyond individual capability.

Ensuring loads are evenly distributed and securely fastened within vehicles to prevent movement or collapse during transit.

Maintaining good housekeeping around loading areas, keeping routes clear of obstacles and spillages to minimise slips, trips, and falls.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our removal services, and their safe operation is essential. We will:

Ensure vehicles are regularly maintained and inspected, including checks of brakes, tyres, lights, and load securing points.

Require all drivers to hold a valid driving licence applicable to the vehicles they operate and to follow all road traffic laws and company driving rules.

Promote safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, avoidance of mobile phone use while driving, and taking appropriate rest breaks.

Ensure that vehicle loads do not exceed legal weight limits and that items are positioned and secured to maintain vehicle stability.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man With a Van Brent provides ongoing training and information to ensure that staff are competent and confident in carrying out their duties safely. This may include:

Induction training covering general health and safety responsibilities, emergency procedures, and company rules.

Manual handling training tailored to removal work, including lifting, carrying, and moving large or fragile items.

Instruction on the proper use of handling aids, protective equipment, and vehicle loading techniques.

Supervision of less experienced staff by senior team members to ensure safety standards are maintained on every job.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise that our work often takes place in and around customers premises and in public spaces. To protect customers and the public, we will:

Plan work to minimise disruption and prevent unauthorised persons from entering loading areas or vehicle access points.

Communicate clearly with customers about any temporary risks, such as tripping hazards from packing materials or restricted access while large items are being moved.

Take care to protect property and furnishings from damage by using appropriate coverings and handling methods.

Incident Reporting and Policy Review

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and hazardous situations must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, or our operating procedures. The latest version of the policy will be made available to all employees and to customers upon request.

By working together and following this Health and Safety Policy, Man With a Van Brent aims to deliver reliable, efficient removal services while safeguarding the wellbeing of everyone involved.