Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Yiewsley

Man with Van Yiewsley is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading, driving and site access.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We recognise our responsibilities under applicable health and safety legislation and good industry practice. Our objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and reduce any negative impact arising from our removals operations.

We will provide and maintain safe working conditions, safe systems of work, and appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision. Health and safety considerations are integral to planning every removal job, from small local moves to larger multi-van operations.

Responsibilities and Duty of Care

The management of Man with Van Yiewsley has overall responsibility for health and safety performance and for ensuring that this policy is implemented and reviewed regularly. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day application of safe working practices, monitoring standards and reporting any concerns or incidents.

All employees, whether permanent, temporary or casual, must take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes following training and instructions, using equipment correctly, reporting hazards and cooperating with any risk control measures in place.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We assess the risks associated with our removal activities, including manual handling, working in and around vehicles, moving bulky or fragile items, and operating in different types of properties and access routes. Where significant risks are identified, we implement proportionate control measures and communicate them to staff before work begins.

For each job we consider factors such as access, stairs, parking and loading areas, item weights, specialist items and potential interaction with members of the public. When necessary, we adapt our methods, allocate extra staff, or adjust timing to reduce risk.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our work and is managed with particular care. Staff receive training in safe lifting and carrying techniques, team handling, load assessment and the correct use of trolleys, dollies and other handling aids. No employee is expected to move a load that they believe is unsafe or beyond their capability.

We provide appropriate removal equipment suitable for the tasks undertaken and ensure it is maintained in safe working condition. Employees must visually check equipment before use and report any defects immediately so that faulty items can be taken out of service.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, securing points and loading areas.

Drivers are required to hold the correct licence and follow all road traffic regulations. They must drive in a safe, courteous manner, observe speed limits and allow sufficient time for loading, unloading and travel. Loads are secured appropriately to prevent shifting or damage while in transit.

Customer Premises and Site Safety

We aim to conduct our work at customer premises with minimal disruption and maximum attention to safety. Before starting, our team will assess access routes, identify any immediate hazards and agree safe working areas where possible.

Where conditions are unsafe or unsuitable, such as obstructed stairways or restricted parking that would make loading hazardous, our staff are instructed to pause work and seek guidance from a supervisor so that alternative arrangements can be considered.

Information, Instruction and Training

We provide our staff with information on the hazards associated with removal work and on the control measures that apply. Induction training covers general health and safety responsibilities, manual handling principles, vehicle and driving safety, use of equipment, and incident reporting procedures.

Further training is provided where tasks or equipment change, or where additional competencies are required. We expect employees to participate actively in training and to apply what they have learned in their daily work.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where risks cannot be sufficiently controlled by other means, suitable personal protective equipment is provided, such as protective footwear and gloves. Employees must use the protective equipment supplied, keep it in good condition and report any loss or damage so that replacements can be arranged.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, injuries, incidents and near misses must be reported as soon as reasonably practicable. This allows us to investigate what happened, identify any root causes and put improvements in place to prevent recurrence.

Records of incidents are maintained and reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for better risk management. Where legally required, incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities.

Wellbeing and Fitness for Work

We recognise the importance of physical and mental wellbeing in maintaining safe working standards. Employees are encouraged to report health issues that may affect their ability to carry out removal tasks safely, such as existing injuries, fatigue or medication that may impair concentration or physical capability.

Workloads and schedules are organised as far as practicable to avoid undue fatigue. Breaks are provided in line with legal requirements and operational needs, especially for driving activities.

Continuous Improvement and Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation or best practice for the removals sector. We welcome feedback from employees and customers on any health and safety issues encountered during our services.

Man with Van Yiewsley is committed to ongoing improvement in health and safety performance, so that our removal services are delivered responsibly, professionally and with proper regard for the wellbeing of everyone involved.