Man With a Van Wallington Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Wallington is committed to providing a safe and healthy 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 home moves, office relocations, collection and delivery services, and general man and van work across our service area.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and applying appropriate control measures in all aspects of our operations. We comply with applicable health and safety legislation and continually seek to improve our practices as our services develop.

Health and safety is the responsibility of every member of our team and is an integral part of the way we plan and deliver removal services for customers.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Wallington will:

Plan work activities so they can be carried out safely, particularly when handling heavy items, navigating stairs, and loading or unloading vehicles.

Provide safe and well maintained vehicles, equipment, and moving aids appropriate for removal work.

Ensure that employees receive suitable information, instruction, and training so they can carry out their tasks safely and competently.

Carry out risk assessments for typical moving tasks and ensure that staff are aware of identified hazards and control measures.

Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Review this Health and Safety Policy regularly and revise it when necessary to reflect changes in our business or legislation.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and operative engaged by Man With a Van Wallington 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.

Follow all safety instructions, safe systems of work, and training given by the company.

Use the equipment and personal protective equipment provided and report any defects immediately.

Report hazards, near misses, accidents, and unsafe practices to management without delay.

Refrain from horseplay or unsafe behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers, or members of the public.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Prior to undertaking removal and transport work, Man With a Van Wallington will, where reasonably practicable:

Assess the nature and volume of items to be moved, including any unusual, fragile, or high value items.

Consider access routes, stairs, lifts, parking arrangements, and any restrictions that may affect safe loading and unloading.

Evaluate manual handling requirements and plan the use of lifting aids or additional operatives where needed.

Identify any hazards such as poor lighting, uneven floors, traffic routes, or adverse weather conditions.

Agree practical arrangements with customers to minimise risks, such as keeping access routes clear during the move.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our service, and we manage it carefully to reduce the risk of injury. We will:

Train staff in safe lifting and carrying techniques and the correct use of moving equipment.

Use appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and blankets to protect both people and goods.

Encourage team lifting or mechanical assistance for heavy, bulky, or awkward items.

Plan the order of loading and unloading to minimise unnecessary handling and reduce the risk of strain injuries.

Refuse to move items where the risk to health and safety is judged to be unacceptable, and seek alternative solutions where possible.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are an essential part of delivering safe and efficient removal services. Man With a Van Wallington will:

Ensure vehicles used for work are roadworthy, regularly serviced, and appropriately insured.

Carry out routine safety checks on tyres, lights, brakes, and securing points before use.

Secure loads properly within the vehicle to avoid movement during transit and to protect both staff and goods.

Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits, and parking regulations at all times.

Discourage driving while tired and encourage regular breaks on longer journeys.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

While working at customer homes, offices, storage facilities, and other premises, we will:

Work in a way that minimises disruption and maintains safe access and egress for occupants and visitors.

Place protective coverings where appropriate to reduce slip risks and prevent damage to floors or stairs.

Keep tools, equipment, and packing materials tidy and clear from walkways as far as reasonably practicable.

Take care when moving items near doors, corridors, and public pathways to avoid collisions or injury.

Cooperate with any site-specific safety rules or instructions provided by customers or building managers.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where identified as necessary through risk assessment, Man With a Van Wallington will provide suitable personal protective equipment, which may include safety footwear, gloves, and high visibility vests. Employees are responsible for using such equipment correctly, keeping it in good condition, and reporting loss or damage.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical demands of removal work and the importance of staff being fit for duty. Our approach includes:

Discouraging staff from working if they are unfit through illness, injury, or the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Encouraging employees to report health issues that may affect their ability to perform manual handling or driving tasks safely.

Providing reasonable adjustments where practicable for employees with ongoing health conditions.

Training, Communication and Consultation

Health and safety information is shared with staff through induction, training, and regular instruction. We aim to:

Provide relevant training on manual handling, vehicle safety, and working at customer premises.

Inform staff of changes to procedures or new safety measures as our services develop.

Encourage employees to raise suggestions and concerns about health and safety and to participate in improving safe working practices.

Continuous Improvement

Man With a Van Wallington is committed to continually reviewing and improving this Health and Safety Policy and the systems that support it. We will learn from experience, customer feedback, and changes in removal industry best practice to ensure that our services remain safe, reliable, and professional for everyone involved.