Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Shacklewell

Man With a Van Shacklewell is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods for residential and commercial clients.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and environmental harm arising from our work. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. We comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and codes of practice applicable to removal and light transport services, and we review our arrangements regularly.

Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance within the business and ensures that adequate resources, information, instruction and supervision are provided to support this policy.

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for establishing safe systems of work, maintaining vehicles and equipment in a safe condition, and ensuring staff are trained and competent for the tasks they undertake. Management also monitors health and safety standards and reviews incident reports to support continuous improvement.

Employees, including drivers and porters, must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow all safety procedures, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment, report hazards or incidents promptly, and cooperate with training and supervision.

Customers and visitors are expected to cooperate with reasonable safety requests made by our staff, such as keeping access routes clear during loading and unloading, securing pets and children away from moving vehicles, and informing us of any known hazards at the property.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for typical moving and transport activities, including lifting and carrying items, driving and parking, loading and unloading, and working in and around customer properties. Where necessary, we conduct dynamic risk assessments on site to deal with specific situations such as narrow staircases, high floors, limited access or poor lighting.

Safe working practices are developed and communicated to staff to minimise risks. These practices cover planning the move, deciding on the number of workers required, using handling aids, securing loads in vehicles, and managing access points safely. Where a task cannot be completed safely, staff are instructed to stop work and contact management for guidance.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our service and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of strains, sprains and other injuries. Staff receive guidance on correct lifting and carrying techniques, team lifting for heavy or awkward items, avoiding twisting or over-reaching, and recognising when mechanical aids are required.

We use suitable equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, ramps and protective coverings where required. All equipment is inspected regularly and any defective items are taken out of service immediately. Only trained staff are allowed to operate specific equipment and they must do so in accordance with manufacturer instructions and our safe systems of work.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are selected and maintained with safety in mind. Regular checks and servicing are arranged to ensure that brakes, tyres, lights, securing points and other safety-related components remain in good condition. Daily pre-use checks are completed by drivers, and any defects are reported promptly and rectified before the vehicle is used.

Drivers must hold the appropriate valid driving licence and comply with road traffic laws at all times. They are expected to drive courteously, adhere to speed limits, and adjust their driving to suit road, weather and traffic conditions. Loads must be distributed safely within the vehicle and secured to prevent movement during transit. Parking and unloading are carried out in a way that minimises risks to pedestrians and other road users.

Customer Premises, Access and Housekeeping

Our staff take care to protect customer premises and ensure safe access routes during the move. This includes assessing entry points, stairs, corridors and outdoor areas for potential hazards such as uneven surfaces, slippery conditions or obstructions.

Where practical, we implement temporary measures such as floor coverings, corner protectors and clear walkways. We avoid trailing cables across walkways and keep tools and packing materials stored tidily when not in use. Any spills or breakages that may create hazards are dealt with promptly and safely.

Personal Protective Equipment and Welfare

Appropriate personal protective equipment is made available to staff as required by specific tasks, including protective footwear, gloves and high-visibility garments for working around vehicles. Staff are expected to wear and look after this equipment and report any defects or loss.

We recognise the importance of welfare for staff engaged in physically demanding work. Breaks, hydration and rest periods are encouraged to reduce fatigue, and reasonable steps are taken to plan work schedules sensibly. Staff are asked to inform management of any health conditions that might affect their ability to work safely so that adjustments can be considered.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near-misses, injuries and significant incidents must be reported immediately to management, who will record the details, investigate the root causes and implement any necessary corrective actions. This helps us to prevent recurrence and improve our safety performance.

Emergency procedures are in place for situations such as road traffic incidents, fire, injury or sudden illness on site. Staff are briefed on how to raise the alarm, contact the emergency services when required, and follow any specific arrangements at customer premises, such as fire exits and assembly points.

Training, Consultation and Policy Review

Health and safety training is provided as part of staff induction and is refreshed periodically or when tasks or equipment change. Topics include manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, incident reporting and safe working at customer premises. Additional guidance is issued when new risks are identified or new procedures are introduced.

We encourage staff to raise health and safety concerns, suggestions or questions with management. Constructive feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and is used to refine our practices.

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in law, industry standards or our operations. The latest version is made available to employees and customers upon request and is binding on all who work for or on behalf of Man With a Van Shacklewell.