Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Holland Park Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Holland Park is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure 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 principles and arrangements for managing risks associated with home moves, office relocations, furniture transport and related services.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We recognise our legal and moral responsibility to maintain high standards of health and safety. Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment in connection with our removal operations.

We will provide the resources, training and supervision necessary to ensure that health and safety is integrated into every stage of our work, from initial booking and planning through to loading, transport, delivery and unloading.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Holland Park is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that effective procedures are in place. This includes:

Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out for removal activities and that appropriate control measures are implemented and maintained.

Providing suitable vehicles, equipment, tools and protective gear that are fit for purpose and regularly maintained.

Ensuring that employees receive adequate information, instruction, training and supervision to carry out their duties safely.

Reviewing incidents, near misses and feedback to improve working practices and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Monitoring compliance with this policy and relevant health and safety legislation, and taking corrective action when required.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors working with Man With a Van Holland Park share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. They are required to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and guidance provided by the company.

Use vehicles, lifting equipment, personal protective equipment and tools correctly and report any defects immediately.

Report accidents, near misses, hazards and unsafe conditions as soon as they become aware of them.

Cooperate with management in the implementation and continuous improvement of this policy.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before undertaking any removal task, we assess the potential risks associated with the property, access routes, items to be moved, and transport arrangements. Particular attention is given to:

Manual handling risks when lifting, carrying, loading and unloading items such as furniture, appliances and boxes.

Confined or restricted spaces, staircases, narrow corridors and high floors which may present additional hazards.

Trips, slips and falls, including obstacles, uneven surfaces, wet floors and poor lighting in loading and unloading areas.

Vehicle movements, parking and loading zones to minimise risks to staff, customers and the public.

Where necessary, we adjust our approach, allocate additional staff, or use specialised equipment to ensure the task can be completed safely.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key element of removal work. To reduce the risk of injury:

Staff are trained in correct lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifting for heavy or awkward items.

We use equipment such as trolleys, dollies, moving straps, ramps and blankets where appropriate to reduce strain and protect items.

Loads are assessed for weight, size and stability before being moved. Items that are too heavy or unsafe to lift manually are not handled until an appropriate solution is in place.

Our vehicles are loaded to maintain stability, prevent movement during transit and ensure safe unloading at the destination.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Safe operation of our vans is essential to protect our staff, customers and other road users. We are committed to:

Ensuring that drivers are competent, hold the appropriate licences and are familiar with safe driving practices for loaded vehicles.

Keeping vehicles in a roadworthy condition through regular inspections, servicing and defect reporting.

Planning journeys to allow sufficient time, avoid unnecessary risks and comply with traffic regulations.

Loading and securing goods in a way that prevents shifting or falling during transit and allows safe access for unloading.

Customer and Public Safety

We take care to minimise disruption and risk to customers, neighbours and the general public during removals. This includes:

Maintaining clear walkways and exits during loading and unloading.

Using safe systems of work around entrances, pavements, communal areas and shared access routes.

Positioning vehicles and equipment to reduce obstruction, maintain visibility and protect pedestrians.

Communicating with customers about any temporary restrictions or precautions required while the work is carried out.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man With a Van Holland Park provides initial and ongoing training to ensure staff understand their responsibilities and can work safely. This may include:

Induction training covering company safety procedures and expectations.

Manual handling techniques specific to removal work and furniture transport.

Safe use of vehicles and moving equipment.

Emergency procedures, including response to accidents, injuries and incidents on site or on the road.

Supervision is provided, particularly for new or less experienced staff, to ensure that training is applied in practice.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will:

Ensure that appropriate first aid assistance is available when required.

Record and investigate relevant incidents to identify causes and implement preventative measures.

Cooperate with any statutory reporting requirements and external investigations where applicable.

Review and update procedures following incidents to improve safety performance.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legal requirements or best practice guidance. We welcome feedback from employees, customers and partners to help us improve our standards and ensure that our removal services are delivered as safely and efficiently as possible.

By working together and following this policy, Man With a Van Holland Park aims to maintain a safe working environment and deliver a reliable, responsible moving service throughout our service area.