Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Grange Park

Man with Van Grange Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy outlines our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading household and business items.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health during all removal and delivery operations. We will identify and control health and safety risks, provide clear instructions and training, and ensure that our vehicles, equipment and methods of work are safe and suitable for professional moving services.

This policy applies to all staff and operatives working on behalf of Man with Van Grange Park at customers homes, business premises, storage facilities, on the road and in any other locations where we perform removal or collection services.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who will ensure that this policy is implemented, reviewed and updated as necessary. Management will provide suitable resources for health and safety, including equipment, training and supervision.

All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. Team members must follow safe working procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards and cooperate fully with health and safety measures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will carry out risk assessments for our typical activities, including domestic removals, small office moves, furniture collection and delivery, packing, loading and unloading. These assessments will consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, falls from vehicles, traffic movements, working in confined spaces such as stairwells and the use of lifting equipment.

Where risks are identified, we will put appropriate control measures in place, such as using correct lifting techniques, planning access routes, using trolleys or lifting aids where suitable, and ensuring clear communication between team members during complex or heavy moves.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core element of our removals service and presents a significant risk if not carried out correctly. Our staff are instructed in safe lifting techniques, including team lifting for heavy or awkward items, assessing load weight and stability, and planning the route before moving items.

We avoid unnecessary lifting by using handling equipment where reasonably practicable and by breaking down furniture and larger items when safe and appropriate to do so. We do not ask our staff to lift items that are beyond safe limits or to move loads through routes that present unacceptable risk.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vans and associated equipment are maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition. Regular checks are undertaken on tyres, lights, brakes, load restraints and access steps. Any defects are reported immediately and the vehicle taken out of service if it is unsafe to operate.

Drivers are required to obey road traffic laws, drive within speed limits, plan journeys sensibly and ensure that loads are safely distributed and secured before setting off. Overloading of vehicles is strictly prohibited. Drivers must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that could impair their ability to drive safely.

Loading, Unloading and Site Safety

During loading and unloading at homes, offices and storage facilities, our teams will work to minimise risks to customers, neighbours, pedestrians and other road users. This includes careful positioning of vehicles, use of warning signals where appropriate and keeping access routes as clear as possible.

Staff will take extra care on stairs, ramps and uneven surfaces, and will assess whether particular items require additional personnel or alternative methods to move them safely. Where necessary, we may refuse to move an item by a particular route if doing so would present an unreasonable safety risk.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to safeguard customers and members of the public while we carry out removal work. We will always try to maintain safe walkways, request that children and pets are kept away from moving operations, and clearly communicate when large or heavy items are being handled.

Staff are trained to be courteous and to explain any safety concerns related to access, parking or item movement. Where we identify risks that cannot be adequately controlled, we will discuss alternative arrangements or, if necessary, suspend work until conditions are safe.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

We will provide appropriate tools and equipment for our moving services, such as trolleys, straps and protective covers, and ensure they are maintained in a safe condition. Equipment that is damaged or defective will be removed from service and repaired or replaced.

Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing, will be provided and used when the nature of the work or environment requires it. Staff are responsible for using this equipment correctly and reporting any defects.

Training, Supervision and Competence

All personnel involved in removals and driving will receive suitable induction and on-the-job training covering manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle checks, customer care and emergency procedures. Additional training will be provided where new equipment, vehicles or services are introduced.

Supervisors and senior team members will monitor working practices, give guidance where needed and correct unsafe behaviour. Only competent and authorised staff may drive company vehicles or operate specialist equipment.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, near misses and health and safety concerns must be reported promptly to management. We will record and investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

We encourage an open reporting culture, where staff feel able to raise safety concerns without fear of blame. Lessons learned from incidents will be shared with the team and reflected in updated procedures where required.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We acknowledge the physical nature of removal work and the importance of staff health and wellbeing. Employees are encouraged to report health issues that may affect their ability to carry out lifting or driving safely.

We will not require staff to work excessive hours that could lead to fatigue, particularly when driving. Rest breaks will be taken in line with operational demands and relevant regulations. Staff must not present themselves for duty under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or misused prescription medication.

Review of Policy

This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary, for example following significant changes in our services, introduction of new equipment or changes to relevant health and safety requirements. All employees will be informed of any updates and are expected to familiarise themselves with the current policy.

By implementing this policy, Man with Van Grange Park aims to deliver dependable removal and transport services while maintaining high standards of safety for our staff, customers and the wider community.