Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Deptford
Man with Van Deptford is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, subcontractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, transport and related services throughout our operating area.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by planning our work carefully, training our people effectively and providing appropriate equipment for every job. Health and safety is integral to the way we manage and deliver all removal and man and van services, from small flat moves to larger household or office relocations.
We aim to:
Identify, assess and control health and safety risks arising from our work activities.
Comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice for moving and handling.
Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure staff can work safely and competently.
Maintain safe systems of work for lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and driving.
Consult with workers on health and safety matters and encourage a positive safety culture.
Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man with Van Deptford is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that suitable resources are available to manage health and safety effectively. Management will:
Carry out and regularly review risk assessments for core activities such as manual handling, vehicle operations, use of equipment and working at height when loading or unloading.
Ensure that vehicles and equipment used for removals are maintained in safe working order.
Provide appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear and high-visibility clothing, where required.
Ensure staff receive induction and refresher training in safe lifting, carrying techniques, use of moving equipment and road safety.
Investigate accidents, near misses and incidents, and put in place corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Review this policy periodically and update it in line with changes in legislation, operations or identified risks.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular subcontractors share responsibility for maintaining high standards of health and safety. They are required to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety instructions, training and procedures provided by the company.
Use the equipment, vehicles and protective gear supplied for their intended purpose.
Report hazards, defective equipment, unsafe conditions or practices to management without delay.
Report all incidents, however minor, so that they can be investigated and used as learning opportunities.
Refrain from working under the influence of drugs or alcohol and comply with all company rules on fitness for work.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before each job, Man with Van Deptford assesses the main risks associated with the property, access points and items to be moved. Factors considered include heavy or awkward loads, staircases, narrow hallways, parking arrangements, traffic conditions and weather.
Where necessary, we adapt our approach by providing additional staff, using specialised equipment or adjusting loading plans to reduce manual handling and collision risks. We promote team lifting for heavy or bulky items and avoid tasks that exceed safe manual handling limits.
We follow established safe systems of work, including:
Planning routes and parking to minimise reversing and unsafe manoeuvres.
Using trolleys, dollies, skates and lifting straps whenever practical.
Securing loads within vehicles to prevent movement during transport.
Maintaining clear walkways and access points while loading and unloading.
Checking for slip and trip hazards and taking reasonable measures to control them.
Vehicle and Equipment Safety
Our vehicles and equipment are essential to our man and van and removal operations, and their safe condition is a priority. Man with Van Deptford ensures that:
Vehicles are roadworthy and maintained in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.
Load areas and securing systems are inspected regularly.
Tail lifts, ramps and other mechanical aids used for loading or unloading are checked and used only by trained personnel.
Moving and lifting equipment is stored, inspected and used in accordance with safe operating procedures.
Customer and Public Safety
We recognise our duty to protect customers and members of the public while work is being undertaken. To achieve this, we:
Communicate clearly with customers about access, timing and any temporary restrictions or hazards.
Take steps to keep entrances, driveways and communal areas as clear and safe as reasonably practicable.
Position vehicles and equipment to minimise obstruction and avoid unnecessary risk to pedestrians and other road users.
Exercise particular care when working in shared residential blocks, busy streets or commercial premises.
Training, Competence and Supervision
Man with Van Deptford provides appropriate health and safety training for all staff involved in removal and transport operations. Training covers manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, load securing, hazard awareness and emergency procedures.
New staff receive induction training before undertaking unsupervised work. Ongoing supervision is provided to ensure that safe practices are followed consistently, and additional training is organised when new equipment or methods are introduced.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
We monitor our health and safety performance through regular discussions with staff, vehicle and equipment checks, incident reporting and customer feedback. Findings are used to improve our processes and reduce risks further.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals, or sooner if required by changes in legislation, operations or following a significant incident. Any updates are communicated to all staff so that our commitment to safety is understood and implemented throughout the business.
Man with Van Deptford believes that effective health and safety management is essential to providing reliable, professional and responsible removal services across our operating area.
