Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Elmers End

Man with Van Elmers End is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, unloading, driving, and working in and around properties and vehicles.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We recognise our responsibility to comply with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice. Our aim is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health and to continually improve the way we manage safety in all aspects of our removal services.

Health and safety considerations are integrated into planning and carrying out every move, whether it involves a single item, a flat or house move, or a larger office or business relocation. We expect all staff and contractors working on our behalf to follow this policy and associated procedures.

Responsibilities

The overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the management of Man with Van Elmers End. Management is responsible for:

Ensuring appropriate health and safety arrangements, procedures, and risk assessments are in place for our removal operations. Providing suitable information, instruction, training, and supervision so that staff can carry out their work safely. Supplying and maintaining equipment, vehicles, and materials so that they are safe and fit for purpose. Reviewing this policy regularly and updating it as needed to reflect changes in law, operations, or best practice.

All employees, including drivers, porters, and removal operatives, share responsibility for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. Following training, safe systems of work, and instructions given by management. Correctly using vehicles, equipment, and any protective clothing or tools supplied. Reporting hazards, incidents, near misses, and defects in vehicles or equipment without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We undertake risk assessments for typical removal tasks and for specific moves where special risks are identified. These assessments help us put suitable control measures in place to minimise the likelihood of accidents and injuries.

Before starting work at any property, our team will assess key factors such as access routes, stairs and lifts, parking and loading areas, weather conditions, and the size and weight of items to be moved. We then agree safe methods for lifting, carrying, and transporting goods and communicate these to the team.

Safe working practices are used for tasks such as manual handling, handling fragile or high-value items, dismantling and reassembling furniture, and securing loads in vehicles. Staff are expected to stop work and seek guidance if they believe a task cannot be carried out safely.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal service and is a significant source of potential injury if not managed correctly. To reduce risks, we:

Provide manual handling training appropriate to removal activities, including safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and use of handling aids. Plan lifts to avoid unnecessary handling and to use the safest routes through a property. Encourage team lifting for bulky or heavy items and avoid single-person lifts beyond safe limits. Use handling equipment such as trolleys, dollies, and straps where appropriate and safe to do so.

Customers may be asked to inform us in advance of any particularly heavy, awkward, or delicate items so that we can prepare appropriate equipment and staffing.

Vehicles, Driving, and Road Safety

Our vehicles are central to our operations, and we are committed to safe driving practices and vehicle maintenance. We:

Maintain vehicles in a roadworthy condition through regular checks and servicing. Ensure that loads are properly distributed and securely fastened to prevent movement during transit. Require drivers to follow all road traffic laws and drive with consideration for other road users, pedestrians, and local communities. Plan journeys to allow sufficient time for safe driving and to reduce stress and fatigue.

Drivers must report any vehicle defects, collisions, or incidents immediately so that appropriate action can be taken.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customers premises, we take reasonable steps to protect the safety of customers, visitors, neighbours, and members of the public. This includes:

Keeping access routes as clear as reasonably practicable and avoiding unnecessary obstruction of pavements and shared areas. Using caution when carrying items through doors, corridors, stairwells, and communal spaces to prevent damage and injury. Minimising noise and disturbance where possible, particularly in residential areas. Using safe loading and unloading practices near roads and driveways to reduce the risk of accidents.

We may politely ask customers and others present to remain at a safe distance while heavy or awkward items are being moved.

Equipment and Protective Measures

We provide suitable tools and equipment to support safe working, such as moving blankets, straps, trolleys, and basic tools for furniture dismantling where required. Where appropriate, staff may be supplied with protective gloves, safety footwear, or other protective items relevant to the tasks being undertaken.

Equipment must be checked before use and used only for its intended purpose. Any damage or defects must be reported immediately, and defective equipment must not be used.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We recognise that competent staff are vital for safe removal operations. We provide induction and on-the-job training relevant to roles and responsibilities, which may include manual handling, vehicle safety, safe loading, and customer care.

Instructions and guidance are provided to staff on safe working procedures, and supervisors monitor working practices to help ensure they remain safe and compliant with this policy.

Accidents, Incidents, and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, near misses, and health and safety concerns are recorded and reviewed so that we can identify any patterns and implement improvements. Where appropriate, we take corrective actions such as updating risk assessments, revising procedures, or providing additional training.

We are committed to the continual improvement of our health and safety performance and welcome feedback from staff and customers on how we can make our services safer.

Review of This Policy

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in regulations, industry standards, or the nature of our services. The latest version of the policy is made available to staff and is accessible to customers on request.

By engaging Man with Van Elmers End, customers can be assured that we take health and safety seriously and work to protect everyone involved in the moving process, from initial planning through to completion of the job.