Health and Safety policy
Man with Van Eastcote Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Man with Van Eastcote manages health, safety and welfare for employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. As a professional removal service, we recognise our responsibility to conduct all activities in a way that prevents injury, protects property and minimises risk during collection, loading, transport and delivery.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
Man with Van Eastcote is committed to maintaining a safe working environment wherever our services are provided. We aim to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and accepted industry standards for removal and transport services. We continually review our working practices, vehicles and equipment to identify improvements that can further reduce risk.
Health and safety is the responsibility of every person working on behalf of Man with Van Eastcote. Management will provide clear instructions, training and supervision, and staff are required to cooperate fully with all safety measures and report any concerns promptly.
Responsibilities and Management
The management of Man with Van Eastcote is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring appropriate resources are made available. This includes safe vehicles, suitable equipment, staff training, risk assessments and incident reporting procedures.
All team members are required to:
Follow the instructions and safe systems of work provided by the company, use equipment correctly and safely, wear and look after any personal protective equipment supplied, report accidents, near misses, damage or hazards immediately, cooperate with any investigation or review following an incident.
Where other contractors or third parties are present, we will coordinate with them so that our respective health and safety arrangements work effectively together.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before starting any removal or delivery job, our staff are required to consider the specific risks at the property and in the surrounding area. This includes access routes, stairways, parking, traffic conditions, weather and any particular hazards identified by the customer.
Where appropriate, a more detailed risk assessment will be carried out, and control measures will be agreed, such as using additional staff for heavy or awkward items, planning alternative routes for carrying goods, using lifting equipment where available and avoiding unsafe parking or loading positions.
Safe systems of work are used for regular tasks such as lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and securing items in vehicles.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a significant part of our removal work. To reduce the risk of injury, staff are trained in correct lifting and carrying techniques. They are encouraged to avoid manual handling where it is not necessary and to use handling aids wherever possible.
Key principles for safe manual handling include assessing the weight and shape of items before lifting, asking for assistance when moving heavy, large or awkward loads, keeping the load close to the body and avoiding twisting while lifting or carrying, taking rest breaks during long or physically demanding jobs and using equipment such as trolleys, dollies and straps where suitable.
Vehicle Safety and Loading
Our vehicles are essential to our operations and are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, brakes, lights and other critical components. Any faults or defects are reported immediately and resolved before the vehicle is used again.
Loading and unloading procedures are designed to protect both people and property. This includes ensuring vehicle access is safe and legal, keeping loading areas clear of unnecessary obstacles, distributing loads evenly and within safe weight limits and securing items with straps or other restraining devices to prevent movement during transport.
Drivers are required to follow all road traffic laws and drive in a manner that reflects the nature of the load and the conditions of the road and weather.
Customer and Public Safety
Man with Van Eastcote takes care to protect customers, visitors and members of the public while our work is taking place. During loading and unloading, we aim to keep walkways, paths and driveways as clear as reasonably practicable, minimise trip hazards from equipment and packaging materials, communicate with customers about where work will take place and how they can avoid risk and take additional care in shared areas such as pavements, communal entrances and car parks.
Equipment, PPE and Housekeeping
We provide suitable equipment for lifting and transporting items, such as trolleys, blankets, straps and ramps where appropriate. Equipment is inspected regularly and replaced or repaired if found to be defective.
Personal protective equipment, such as gloves or safety footwear, is provided where it is necessary to control risks. Staff are required to use the protective equipment correctly and store it properly when not in use.
Good housekeeping is an essential part of safe working. We aim to keep work areas tidy, remove waste materials promptly and store tools and equipment securely.
Training, Supervision and Communication
All staff receive initial induction training and ongoing guidance relevant to their role. This may include manual handling techniques, vehicle and driving safety, use of equipment and protective gear, emergency procedures and customer care in relation to safety.
Supervisors and experienced staff provide additional on-the-job instruction. We encourage open communication so that staff can raise any safety concerns without hesitation. Feedback from customers about safety issues is welcomed and helps us improve our service.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses and damage to property are recorded and investigated so that we can understand what happened and take steps to prevent a recurrence. Where necessary, working practices will be reviewed and updated, and further training will be provided.
Staff are briefed on basic emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of injury, fire, road traffic incidents and property damage during a move. We aim to act promptly, safely and cooperatively with any emergency services or authorities involved.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are changes in legislation, best practice, the nature of our services or the risks we face. Man with Van Eastcote is committed to continuous improvement and to providing a safe, reliable removal service across our operating area.
