Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Shoreditch Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Shoreditch is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and any third parties who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, unloading and transporting goods.

We recognise that removal and transport work can present hazards, including manual handling injuries, trips and falls, vehicle incidents and damage to property. Our goal is to prevent accidents and work-related ill health through careful planning, training and continuous improvement.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man With a Van Shoreditch has overall responsibility for health and safety within the business and will ensure that suitable resources are made available to implement this policy effectively. Management will:

Identify and assess health and safety risks associated with our removal and delivery work, vehicles and equipment.

Develop and maintain safe systems of work, including safe loading, unloading and transport of items.

Provide appropriate training, information and supervision to all workers so they can perform their duties safely.

Ensure that vehicles, tools and lifting equipment used in our operations are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition.

Monitor health and safety performance, investigate incidents and near misses, and implement corrective actions where necessary.

Review this policy regularly and update it to reflect changes in legislation, operations or best practice.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, contractors and operatives working on behalf of Man With a Van Shoreditch share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Every worker is expected to:

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

Follow all company safety procedures, method statements and risk assessments when carrying out removal tasks.

Use vehicles, tools, lifting aids and protective equipment only for their intended purpose and in accordance with training provided.

Immediately report any hazards, defective equipment, unsafe conditions, incidents or near misses to a supervisor or manager.

Refrain from using alcohol or drugs that could impair judgment or performance while at work or driving.

Cooperate with management in implementing safety improvements and participating in training.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting any removal or transport work, we assess the potential risks associated with the property, access routes, items being moved and any specific customer requirements. Where required, a site visit or pre-move assessment may be carried out to identify hazards such as restricted access, stairways, parking limitations or heavy and awkward loads.

Based on the assessment, we implement suitable control measures, which may include:

Planning safe routes for moving goods in and out of premises.

Using trolleys, dollies, straps and other lifting aids to reduce manual handling risks.

Ensuring sufficient staff are allocated to handle heavy or bulky items.

Protecting floors, walls and doorframes to minimise damage and trip hazards.

Using clear communication between team members during lifting and carrying.

Where there is any doubt about the safety of a particular task, work will be stopped until a manager has reviewed and agreed a safe method of working.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is a focus of our safety arrangements. All staff involved in lifting and carrying receive guidance on safe techniques, including assessment of load weight, size, shape and stability before attempting to move it.

We aim to minimise manual handling wherever possible by planning the job, using mechanical aids and team lifting. Staff are instructed to:

Assess the load and route before lifting.

Avoid twisting and overreaching while carrying items.

Ask for assistance when a load is too heavy or awkward for one person.

Place loads down safely and avoid sudden movements.

If an item cannot be moved safely with the resources available, we will advise the customer and agree an alternative solution.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our service and are operated with a strong emphasis on safety. To support safe driving and transport we:

Carry out regular checks and maintenance on all vans, including brakes, lights, tyres and loading areas.

Ensure loads are evenly distributed, secured and within the vehicle’s safe weight limits.

Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, drive considerately and allow sufficient time for journeys.

Discourage the use of mobile devices while driving, other than approved hands-free systems where legally permitted.

Expect drivers to report any vehicle faults, collisions or near misses promptly so that action can be taken.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, visitors and members of the public who may be near our work. During collections and deliveries, our teams will:

Keep walkways and access routes as clear as reasonably practicable.

Use caution when moving items through shared areas, corridors or pavements.

Politely request that customers and bystanders stay clear of moving loads and vehicle loading zones.

Secure vehicle doors and ramps when not in use and park safely to minimise obstruction.

Take care to avoid damage to customer property and report any accidental damage immediately.

Training, Communication and Consultation

We provide appropriate induction and ongoing training to ensure that all workers understand this policy and the specific safety procedures relevant to their roles. Training may include manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety and emergency procedures.

Health and safety information is communicated through briefings, written instructions and on-the-job guidance. Employees are encouraged to raise any health and safety concerns, suggestions or questions so that they can be addressed promptly.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We keep records of such events and investigate them to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

In the event of an emergency, such as fire, serious injury or vehicle collision, staff are instructed to follow appropriate procedures, prioritising the safety of people, contacting emergency services where needed and notifying management quickly.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy applies to all activities carried out by Man With a Van Shoreditch and forms part of our commitment to responsible, professional removal and transport services. The policy is reviewed periodically and may be updated to reflect changes in operations, legal requirements or best practice. Any significant changes will be communicated to staff and implemented as part of our ongoing safety management.