Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Ickenham
Man with Van Ickenham is committed to providing a professional and safe removal service for customers, staff, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety policy sets out our responsibilities, standards and procedures to prevent accidents, protect property and maintain a safe working environment during all moving and transport activities.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to conduct all removal and transport work in a way that minimises risk of injury, ill health and damage. We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. Safety considerations take priority over speed or convenience in the planning and delivery of our services.
This policy applies to all aspects of our operations, including domestic and commercial moves, packing, loading and unloading, driving and parking, and handling of furniture, appliances and personal effects.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing and reviewing this Health and Safety policy and ensuring that adequate resources are provided. This includes:
Conducting and updating risk assessments for removal activities and working environments.
Providing appropriate safety equipment and maintaining vehicles and equipment in safe condition.
Ensuring staff receive suitable training, information and supervision.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses and taking action to prevent recurrence.
Reviewing this policy periodically to reflect changes in law, guidance or our services.
Employee Responsibilities
Every worker engaged by Man with Van Ickenham has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff are expected to:
Follow the instructions, procedures and training provided.
Use equipment and vehicles correctly and report defects immediately.
Adopt safe manual handling techniques and ask for help when loads are too heavy or awkward.
Wear any required personal protective equipment where identified by risk assessment.
Report accidents, near misses, hazards and health concerns without delay.
Risk Assessment and Planning
Before carrying out removal work, we assess foreseeable risks associated with the property, access, parking, items being moved and any special customer requirements. Factors considered include stairs, narrow corridors, uneven surfaces, long carrying distances, heavy or fragile items and weather conditions.
Where risks are identified, we implement appropriate control measures, such as additional operatives, specialist equipment, revised access routes or adapted handling methods. If at any time we consider the work unsafe to proceed, we will pause and review the method before continuing.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Handling heavy or bulky items is a core part of our service. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury, we apply the following principles:
Assess the load and surroundings before lifting or moving items.
Use mechanical aids such as trolleys, dollies or straps where practical.
Use team lifting for heavy or awkward items to share the load.
Maintain good posture, keeping the load close to the body and avoiding twisting while lifting.
Take regular breaks during intensive lifting tasks.
Customers may be asked not to assist with heavy lifting unless this has been agreed, as untrained lifting can create additional risks.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
We recognise the importance of road safety in our removal work. All vehicles used for removals must be maintained in a roadworthy condition, regularly inspected and loaded safely. Drivers must:
Hold the correct driving licence for the vehicle being used.
Carry out basic vehicle checks and report faults promptly.
Drive responsibly, following traffic laws and adjusting speed for road and weather conditions.
Secure all loads to prevent movement and protect both passengers and other road users.
Avoid driving when fatigued and take appropriate rest breaks.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
During removals, we take reasonable steps to protect customers, neighbours and the public from harm. This includes:
Taking care when manoeuvring large items in common areas, entrances and shared spaces.
Keeping access routes as clear as possible and promptly addressing spillages or trip hazards.
Using caution when opening vehicle doors or tailgates near pedestrians or traffic.
Respecting property and using suitable protective coverings where appropriate to minimise damage.
Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment
Any tools or equipment used for moving and securing items must be suitable for the task and inspected regularly. Defective or damaged equipment must not be used. Personal protective equipment, such as gloves or safety footwear, will be provided where identified as necessary by risk assessment and must be worn as instructed.
Training, Information and Supervision
We ensure that staff receive appropriate training in manual handling, safe driving, use of equipment and general health and safety awareness. New workers are introduced to our procedures before undertaking unsupervised work. Additional training and toolbox talks are provided where risks change or new equipment or methods are introduced.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, injuries, property damage and near misses must be reported as soon as possible. Incidents are recorded and reviewed to identify causes and implement corrective actions. Where required by law, serious incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities.
Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work
We expect all workers to present for duty in a fit state to perform physical and driving tasks safely. Substance misuse, including alcohol or illegal drugs, is not tolerated in connection with work. Anyone feeling unwell, excessively fatigued or injured must inform management so that duties can be adjusted if necessary.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable for the scale and nature of our removal operations. Updates will be communicated to all staff and will apply to all services provided by Man with Van Ickenham once issued.
