Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Sidcup Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Sidcup is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks, prevent accidents, and promote safe working practices across all moving and transport activities.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our objective is to conduct all removal and transport work in a manner that protects people, property, and the environment. We aim to reduce the risk of injury, ill health, and damage through careful planning, staff training, appropriate equipment, and continuous improvement of our safety procedures.

We recognise our responsibilities under applicable health and safety legislation and commit to integrating safety considerations into every stage of our removal operations, from initial quotation and planning to loading, transport, and unloading.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Sidcup is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place for effective health and safety management. This includes:

Ensuring risk assessments are carried out for our removal and transport activities and that suitable control measures are implemented and maintained. Providing and maintaining vehicles, equipment, and tools that are safe, properly serviced, and suitable for their intended use. Making sure that all team members receive appropriate information, instruction, and training to perform their tasks safely. Monitoring compliance with this policy and taking corrective action where necessary. Reviewing the policy regularly and updating it in line with changes in legislation, industry best practice, and operational requirements.

Employee Responsibilities

Every team member has an important role in maintaining a safe working environment. Employees and contractors of Man With a Van Sidcup must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided, particularly in relation to manual handling, lifting techniques, and vehicle safety. Use equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects or hazards immediately. Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and participate in training and safety briefings. Refrain from any act or omission that could compromise safety, including the use of alcohol or drugs while on duty.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our typical removal activities, including lifting and carrying furniture, navigating stairs and confined spaces, loading and unloading vehicles, and driving between properties. Where necessary, site-specific assessments are undertaken to identify hazards such as restricted access, heavy or awkward items, trip risks, and adverse weather conditions.

Control measures include planning lifting routes, using appropriate equipment such as trolleys and straps, allocating sufficient manpower for heavy items, and allowing adequate time to complete tasks safely. We plan our work to minimise the risk of injury to staff and customers and to reduce the likelihood of damage to property.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal service, and we place strong emphasis on safe lifting techniques. All staff are instructed in proper posture, team lifting, and the use of handling aids when dealing with heavy or bulky items.

Where an item is too heavy or awkward to be moved safely by the available personnel or equipment, we will not proceed until suitable arrangements can be made. This may include using additional staff, specialist equipment, or revising the planned moving route. We will always prioritise the safety of people over speed of completion.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in safe working condition and are inspected regularly. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic pre-use checks and reporting any issues without delay. Loads are secured appropriately to prevent movement during transit, and vehicles are not overloaded.

Driving is carried out with consideration for road conditions, weather, and traffic, with a focus on safe and courteous behaviour. Journey planning takes into account realistic travel times to avoid the need for rushing and to reduce the risk of fatigue.

Customer and Public Safety

When working at customers premises or in public areas, we take steps to protect those who may be nearby. This may include clearly identifying work areas, keeping walkways clear of obstructions, and carefully managing the movement of large items through doorways, corridors, and shared spaces.

We aim to coordinate with customers to ensure they are aware of any temporary safety considerations, such as avoiding certain areas while items are being moved or loaded.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Where appropriate, we provide and use suitable equipment such as moving blankets, trolleys, straps, ramps, and other handling aids to reduce manual handling risks and protect customer property. Personal protective equipment, such as gloves or safety footwear, is used when the work requires it and is kept in good condition.

Staff are instructed in the correct use of all equipment and are expected to report damage or defects so that they can be addressed promptly.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. This allows us to investigate the causes, implement corrective measures, and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

In the event of an emergency, such as injury, fire, or road incident, staff must follow established emergency procedures, prioritising the safety of people before property. Where necessary, emergency services will be contacted, and areas will be made safe or isolated to prevent further harm.

Training, Communication, and Policy Review

Health and safety training is provided to all new team members as part of their induction and is refreshed as required. Ongoing communication ensures that staff are kept up to date with any changes to our procedures, equipment, or legal requirements.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant to the services we provide and the areas we operate in. Revisions are communicated to all staff so that safe working practices are consistently applied across our removal operations.