Man and a Van Tooting Health and Safety Policy
Man and a Van Tooting 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 delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with household and business moves, loading and unloading, transportation, and work at customers premises.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health arising from our operations. Our objectives are to identify and control hazards, comply with applicable health and safety legislation, and promote a culture of safety awareness and personal responsibility throughout our removal services.
We will review this policy regularly and update it when necessary to reflect changes in our operations, legal requirements or best practice within the removals and transport sector.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man and a Van Tooting has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes providing appropriate resources, setting safety standards, and ensuring that safe systems of work are in place for all removal and transport tasks.
Managers are responsible for:
Planning work to minimise risks to staff, customers and the public.
Ensuring that vehicles, lifting equipment and tools are suitable, maintained and used correctly.
Assessing risks associated with specific moves, including access routes, parking, lifting requirements and any unusual items.
Providing information, instruction, training and supervision to enable employees to work safely and competently.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses, and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Man and a Van Tooting 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. Every team member is expected to:
Follow all safety procedures and instructions provided by management.
Use vehicles, lifting equipment, personal protective equipment and other work equipment safely and only for their intended purpose.
Report any hazards, unsafe conditions, near misses, accidents or damage immediately to management.
Cooperate with management on health and safety matters, including attending training and safety briefings.
Work responsibly in customers homes and business premises, respecting property and maintaining clear and safe access routes.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before each removal or delivery job, we consider the risks associated with the task, the environment and the items being moved. Where required, formal risk assessments and method statements are prepared and communicated to staff.
Key areas of assessment include:
Access and egress, including stairs, narrow corridors, doorways and external steps.
Parking, loading and unloading areas, including proximity to traffic and the need for safe vehicle positioning.
Manual handling risks relating to the size, weight, shape and condition of items such as furniture, appliances, boxes and equipment.
Use of lifting aids, trolleys and ramps where appropriate to reduce manual handling strain.
Environmental conditions such as poor lighting, wet or uneven surfaces and adverse weather.
Any specific customer requirements or known vulnerabilities at the property.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a significant part of removal work, and we are committed to reducing the risk of injury by applying safe techniques and using suitable aids. Our approach includes:
Training staff in correct lifting and carrying methods, including team lifts for heavy or bulky items.
Planning the route in and out of the property before moving heavy items to avoid unnecessary carrying and awkward movements.
Using trolleys, dollies, straps and other aids whenever reasonably practicable.
Avoiding lifting items that are beyond the capability of the individual or team on site and seeking additional assistance when required.
Stopping work if an item cannot be moved safely with the available manpower and equipment.
Vehicle, Driving and Road Safety
Our vehicles are central to our operations, and we place strong emphasis on vehicle safety and responsible driving. We ensure that:
Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in a roadworthy condition.
Loads are distributed evenly, secured properly and do not exceed vehicle weight limits.
Drivers hold the appropriate licence, are competent, and follow road traffic laws at all times.
Drivers take appropriate breaks, avoid distraction and do not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any medication that may impair driving ability.
Parking and loading are planned to reduce risks to pedestrians, other road users and our staff, especially in busy streets and residential areas.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our teams work in a wide variety of domestic and commercial premises, and we take care to minimise risk to customers, visitors and the public. This includes:
Maintaining clear walkways and escape routes while work is in progress.
Using warning signs or verbal warnings where there is increased risk, such as when carrying large items through shared entrances.
Taking care to protect floors, walls and fixtures to prevent damage that may create hazards.
Supervising loading and unloading so that members of the public are kept clear of moving vehicles and equipment.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide initial and ongoing training to ensure that all staff understand their health and safety responsibilities and are able to carry out removal tasks safely. Training covers, as appropriate:
Manual handling techniques and use of lifting aids.
Safe loading and unloading of vehicles.
Working safely at customers premises, including flats, houses and business sites.
Emergency procedures, accident reporting and incident response.
Where required, new staff work under supervision until they are assessed as competent to work more independently.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and significant hazards must be reported promptly so that we can take appropriate action. We record and review incidents to identify trends and implement improvements.
Our staff are briefed on what to do in the event of:
Personal injury during lifting, carrying or use of equipment.
Vehicle accidents, collisions or load shifts.
Property damage that may create safety hazards.
Fire, evacuation or other emergencies at customer premises.
Continuous Improvement
Man and a Van Tooting is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. We periodically review this policy, consult with staff on safety matters, and adapt our procedures to reflect lessons learned and industry best practice. By working together, we seek to ensure that all removal and transport work is carried out as safely as reasonably practicable for our teams, our customers and the wider community we serve.
