Man with Van Harrow Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Harrow is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, customers, contractors, and members of the public affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, handling, transporting, and delivering goods within our service area.

We aim to prevent accidents, injuries, and ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing sensible, practical control measures. Health and safety is an integral part of our daily operations and decision-making.

Policy Statement and Objectives

The objective of this policy is to ensure that all removal and transport work carried out by Man with Van Harrow is planned and performed in a manner that protects people, property, and the environment. We will:

Identify and assess health and safety risks related to our services. Provide information, instruction, training, and supervision to enable employees and contractors to work safely. Maintain vehicles, equipment, and tools in a safe and reliable condition. Promote a culture where safety concerns can be raised without fear and are dealt with promptly. Continuously review and improve our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Harrow has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and ensuring that the necessary resources are available. This includes:

Ensuring compliance with all applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice. Setting clear health and safety standards and communicating them to staff. Conducting and reviewing risk assessments for removal, loading, unloading, packing, and transport tasks. Investigating incidents, accidents, and near misses, and ensuring lessons are learned and improvements made. Monitoring the effectiveness of this policy and reviewing it regularly.

Employee and Contractor Responsibilities

Every person working for or on behalf of Man with Van Harrow has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. All workers are expected to:

Follow all health and safety procedures and instructions provided. Use vehicles, lifting equipment, and protective equipment correctly. Report hazards, unsafe conditions, near misses, and incidents immediately to management. Avoid behaviour that could put themselves, colleagues, or customers at risk. Cooperate fully with any investigation, risk assessment, or training activity.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedures

We carry out risk assessments for our activities, including but not limited to domestic and commercial moves, loading and unloading vehicles, transporting items, and working at customer premises. The findings of these assessments are used to develop safe systems of work, which may include:

Planning the route and access to properties before starting a job. Assessing staircases, corridors, lifts, and parking areas to reduce manual handling risks. Identifying fragile, heavy, or awkward items that require special handling techniques or equipment. Ensuring adequate staffing levels for lifting and carrying heavy loads.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and is a key focus of our safety approach. Man with Van Harrow will:

Provide training in safe lifting and carrying techniques. Encourage the use of handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, and lifting straps where appropriate. Avoid single-person lifting of excessively heavy or bulky items. Plan lifts so that routes are clear, well lit, and free from obstructions. Require staff to request assistance rather than risk unsafe lifting practices.

All equipment used for lifting, securing loads, and moving items will be maintained and checked regularly. Defective equipment must not be used and must be reported without delay.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our services, and their safe use is essential. We will:

Maintain vehicles in a roadworthy condition, with regular inspections and servicing. Ensure drivers hold the appropriate licences and are competent for the type of vehicle they operate. Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits, and parking regulations. Secure loads properly to prevent shifting during transit and to protect both people and property. Plan journeys to minimise risks related to fatigue, poor weather, and congestion where possible.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Work is frequently carried out in and around customer homes, offices, and public spaces. We will take reasonable steps to ensure that our presence does not put others at risk by:

Keeping work areas as tidy as practicable to prevent trips and falls. Using safe lifting routes that minimise obstruction of doorways and walkways. Taking extra care in shared spaces such as communal halls, stairwells, and parking areas. Being considerate of neighbours, pedestrians, and other road users around loading zones.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man with Van Harrow is committed to providing appropriate health and safety training to all staff and contractors. This may include induction training, manual handling instruction, vehicle and load safety, and job-specific guidance. Refresher training will be provided as required, and information will be updated when procedures or risks change.

Supervision will be proportionate to the level of risk and the experience of the individuals involved. New or inexperienced staff will receive closer supervision until they are deemed competent.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, injuries, and near misses that occur during our work must be reported as soon as possible. This allows us to:

Provide appropriate assistance and first aid where needed. Record the circumstances accurately for future reference. Investigate the causes and implement corrective actions to prevent a recurrence.

Staff must familiarise themselves with emergency arrangements relevant to each job, including access points, escape routes, and any specific safety requirements at customer premises.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective, and aligned with current legislation and best practice. Reviews may be carried out sooner if there are significant changes in our services, work practices, or if incidents indicate that improvements are necessary.

By working together and following this policy, Man with Van Harrow aims to deliver reliable and efficient removal services while protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of everyone involved.