Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Rotherhithe Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Rotherhithe is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with our services, including home and office removals, collection and delivery, loading, unloading and transport of goods.

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property by promoting a strong safety culture, complying with relevant health and safety legislation and continually improving our working practices.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man With a Van Rotherhithe takes overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy. We will provide clear guidance, resources and supervision to ensure that safe systems of work are followed at all times.

Management is responsible for regularly reviewing risk assessments, ensuring that vehicles and equipment are maintained in safe condition, and making sure that staff receive appropriate training and instruction. We will investigate any incidents or near misses and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors working with Man With a Van Rotherhithe have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety, as well as that of colleagues, customers and the public. Staff are expected to follow safe working procedures, use equipment correctly and report any hazards, defects or unsafe conditions immediately to management.

Employees must not misuse or interfere with any equipment provided for safety purposes. They are required to cooperate fully with training, wear any personal protective equipment provided where appropriate and adhere to manual handling and driving guidelines at all times.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our range of removal and transport activities to identify potential hazards, evaluate risks and implement appropriate control measures. These assessments cover activities such as lifting and carrying items, using moving equipment, working in confined spaces such as stairwells, and operating in busy residential and commercial areas.

Based on these assessments, we establish safe systems of work that include planning the route, assessing parking and access, considering the weight and size of items to be moved, and identifying any special risks such as fragile or high value goods. Staff are informed of these procedures and are expected to follow them closely when undertaking any job.

Manual Handling and Lifting Practices

Manual handling is a key part of removals work and can present a risk of injury if not carried out correctly. Man With a Van Rotherhithe provides guidance and training on safe lifting techniques, including assessing the load, bending the knees, keeping the back straight, avoiding twisting and working as a team for heavy or bulky items.

Where possible, we make use of handling aids such as trolleys, dollies or straps to reduce the need for manual lifting. No employee is expected to lift or move a load that they believe to be unsafe or beyond their capability. Heavy items are planned and managed carefully, with additional personnel allocated where required.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

All vehicles operated by Man With a Van Rotherhithe are maintained in roadworthy condition and are subject to regular checks in line with legal requirements and good practice. Drivers are responsible for conducting basic pre-use checks and reporting any defects or concerns without delay.

Our drivers are expected to follow the Highway Code, adhere to speed limits and drive with consideration for other road users and pedestrians. Loads are secured safely using appropriate restraints to prevent shifting during transit, reducing the risk of damage and maintaining vehicle stability.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer homes or business premises, our staff aim to minimise disruption and maintain a safe environment. This includes planning the route through the property, keeping access ways as clear as reasonably practicable and taking care to protect floors, walls and furnishings.

We take particular care when working in shared areas, on pavements or near roads, recognising our responsibility to protect members of the public. Where necessary, we will clearly identify working areas and use safe lifting routes to reduce risk to others.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man With a Van Rotherhithe is committed to providing appropriate training and information so that all employees understand their health and safety responsibilities and are competent to carry out their roles. This includes induction training for new staff, ongoing instruction in manual handling, and guidance on safe driving and customer service.

Supervision is provided according to the nature of the work and the level of experience of the staff involved. Less experienced personnel are supported and monitored to ensure that they follow safe practices at all times.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses that occur during our work activities must be reported promptly to management. We record and review these events to identify trends, learn lessons and take corrective action where needed.

Staff are informed of emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of an injury, fire, road traffic incident or other serious occurrence. Drivers are instructed to prioritise safety, contact the appropriate emergency services where required and inform management as soon as it is safe to do so.

Health and Welfare

We recognise that the health and wellbeing of our staff is essential to delivering a safe and reliable removal service. We encourage employees to report any health issues that may affect their ability to perform manual handling or driving tasks safely. Where necessary, work will be adjusted or shared to avoid placing individuals at risk.

We promote good housekeeping, hydration and sensible workloads, particularly during demanding periods, to help prevent fatigue and reduce the likelihood of accidents.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man With a Van Rotherhithe is committed to continually improving its health and safety performance. We review this policy on a regular basis, and also when significant changes occur in our operations, legislation or industry best practice.

Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed as part of this process. Suggestions for improving safety are actively encouraged and will be considered by management when updating procedures and training.

This Health and Safety policy is communicated to all staff and is available to customers upon request. By working together and maintaining high standards, we aim to provide a safe, efficient and reliable removal service in every area we operate.