Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Harringay

Man with Van Harringay is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

We aim to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our operations. We will meet our legal duties and continually improve our health and safety performance by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures across all aspects of our man and van and removal services.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for the overall implementation of this policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are available to maintain high health and safety standards. This includes providing suitable equipment, arranging relevant training, monitoring working practices and reviewing procedures on a regular basis.

Management will regularly review risk assessments for typical removal activities, update safe systems of work and communicate any changes to staff. Management is also responsible for investigating incidents and near misses, identifying root causes and putting in place corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All staff working for Man with Van Harringay, whether permanent, temporary or subcontracted, have a legal and moral duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must follow the training and instructions provided, use equipment safely and report any hazards, defects or incidents immediately.

Employees must not misuse or interfere with any equipment or procedure provided for health and safety purposes. They are expected to co operate fully with health and safety arrangements, including attending training sessions and toolbox talks, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and following manual handling guidance.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before commencing work, we assess foreseeable risks linked to removal and transport activities, such as manual handling, moving heavy or awkward items, operating in confined spaces, working on stairs, parking and loading near traffic, and working in customers premises. Based on these assessments, we establish safe systems of work and brief staff on correct procedures.

Where specific risks are identified at a job location, such as restricted access, fragile surfaces, poor lighting or adverse weather, the team will adapt the method of work and, if necessary, pause the job until a safe approach is agreed. Work will not continue if it cannot be carried out safely.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our work, so we put particular emphasis on training and safe techniques. Staff are trained to assess each load before lifting, to avoid carrying items that are too heavy or unstable and to use appropriate lifting aids whenever possible. Team members are encouraged to ask for assistance rather than attempting to move large or bulky items alone.

Safe lifting practices include keeping the load close to the body, avoiding twisting while carrying, planning the route in advance and taking regular breaks when moving items over longer distances. Items that exceed safe manual handling limits will be moved using trolleys, dollies, sliders or other suitable equipment where available.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

All drivers operating vehicles for Man with Van Harringay must hold the correct driving licence and be medically fit to drive. Vehicles must be roadworthy, regularly inspected and maintained in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.

Drivers are required to follow all traffic regulations, drive responsibly and adjust their driving style to weather, traffic and road conditions. Loads must be correctly distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit, reducing the risk of injury or damage. Mobile devices must not be used while driving, except in accordance with hands free regulations where permitted.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Where equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, straps, blankets and ramps is provided, it must be used according to training and manufacturer instructions. Staff are expected to check equipment for visible damage before use and report any defects immediately so that faulty items can be taken out of service.

Personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear and gloves, is issued where appropriate. Staff must use this equipment correctly and look after it so that it remains in good condition. Any loss or damage must be reported promptly.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customers properties or in shared areas such as corridors and entrances, we take reasonable steps to protect the safety of customers, neighbours and members of the public. This may include keeping access routes clear, managing trip hazards such as trailing straps or packaging, and using safe lifting routes to avoid blocking emergency exits.

We aim to minimise disruption in residential streets and busy areas. Where loading or unloading takes place near traffic or pedestrians, our team will remain vigilant, use hazard lights where appropriate and position the vehicle to reduce risk without obstructing emergency access.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

Any accident, injury, near miss or damage to property that occurs during our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. Reports will be recorded, investigated and reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

In the event of a serious incident or emergency, such as fire, significant injury or collision, staff must follow relevant emergency procedures, including notifying the appropriate services and making the area safe where it is possible to do so without putting themselves or others at further risk.

Training, Supervision and Continuous Improvement

Man with Van Harringay provides training and guidance to ensure that staff understand this policy and know how to perform their tasks safely. New starters receive an introduction to our health and safety arrangements, and existing staff receive refresher training where required or when procedures change.

Supervisors monitor working practices on site and provide additional instruction or support where necessary. Feedback from staff and customers on safety issues is welcomed and used to improve our policies and procedures over time.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, relevant legislation or identified risks. Updates will be communicated to all staff so that the policy remains active, effective and understood throughout the company.