Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Wandsworth

Man with Van Wandsworth is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and processes that guide our day-to-day removal and transport activities, including house moves, office relocations and collection and delivery services.

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and disruption to the local environment while providing efficient and reliable removals and man and van services.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that appropriate resources, equipment and training are provided. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy during removal operations, monitoring working practices and addressing hazards as they arise.

All employees and contractors share responsibility for their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Every team member must follow safe systems of work, use equipment correctly and report hazards or incidents without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including packing, loading, unloading, driving and working in customers homes or business premises. These assessments identify potential hazards such as manual handling risks, slips and trips, vehicle movements, working in confined spaces and working near the public.

On the basis of these assessments, we establish safe systems of work that our staff must follow. Site-specific or job-specific risks are assessed before work begins, and the plan for the move may be adjusted to address access constraints, staircases, parking arrangements and any special items that require additional controls.

Training, Instruction and Supervision

All staff receive appropriate induction and on-the-job training relevant to removal and man and van services. This includes training in manual handling techniques, safe lifting and carrying, use of moving equipment and awareness of common household and office hazards.

Where necessary, additional instruction is given on driving standards, securing loads inside vehicles, use of protective equipment and communication with customers at collection and delivery points. Less experienced workers are supervised by more senior team members to ensure that safe practices are consistently applied.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key part of our operations and is managed carefully. Our staff are trained to assess the weight, shape and stability of items before lifting, to work in pairs or teams when necessary and to use correct posture, grip and lifting methods to reduce strain and risk of injury.

Where possible, we use appropriate handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, skates, lifting straps and protective covers to move furniture and equipment safely. Staff must not attempt to lift or move items that exceed safe limits or that they are not confident they can handle safely. Customers may be advised when additional resources or specialist equipment are required to complete a move safely.

Vehicle Safety and Load Security

Our vehicles are maintained to a high standard and inspected regularly. Drivers are responsible for completing basic checks before use and reporting any defects immediately so that they can be addressed promptly.

All loads must be planned and secured so that items cannot move unexpectedly during transit. Heavy items are loaded first and properly restrained using straps and other securing systems. Walkways in the vehicle must be kept clear where practical to reduce trip hazards during loading and unloading.

Drivers must comply with road traffic regulations, speed limits and parking rules at all times. Special care is taken when reversing or manoeuvring near pedestrians, customers and property entrances.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment is provided where risk assessments identify that it is required. Depending on the task, this may include protective gloves, safety footwear, high-visibility clothing or other equipment needed to reduce specific risks.

Employees are required to use personal protective equipment correctly, look after it and report any loss or damage so that it can be replaced or repaired as needed.

Working at Customer Premises

We recognise that many of our activities take place at customer homes, offices or other premises where we do not have full control of the environment. Our staff are trained to work carefully around existing fixtures, fittings and personal belongings, to keep access routes clear and to minimise disruption to neighbours and the surrounding area.

Where there are particular access challenges, such as narrow staircases, shared corridors or limited parking, our team will assess the safest approach and may adjust the schedule, team size or equipment used in order to reduce risks.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents and near misses, however minor, must be reported to management as soon as possible. We investigate these events to understand their causes and to identify any improvements to our procedures, equipment or training needs.

Records of incidents and any resulting corrective actions are maintained and reviewed to support ongoing safety improvements across our removals and transport operations.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We are committed to protecting the health and welfare of our staff. Employees are expected to attend work fit for duty, free from the influence of alcohol or drugs and capable of performing their role safely. Any health condition or injury that may affect a person’s ability to carry out lifting or driving tasks safely must be disclosed to management so that appropriate adjustments can be considered.

Regular breaks and sensible work scheduling are encouraged to help prevent fatigue, especially on longer moves or busy days.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated if there are changes in our services, working methods or relevant legal requirements. Feedback from staff and customers is considered as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.

By working together, following agreed procedures and maintaining high standards of care, Man with Van Wandsworth aims to deliver safe, reliable and professional moving services across the areas we serve.