Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Chiswick
Man with Van Chiswick is committed to conducting all removal, transport and related services in a way that safeguards the health, safety and welfare of our customers, employees, contractors and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in every part of our work, including local and longer distance moves, collections and deliveries.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, protect property and reduce risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods. We aim to maintain a safe working environment, safe systems of work and a positive safety culture where everyone understands their responsibilities and acts to protect themselves and others.
We will regularly review this policy to ensure it remains appropriate to the scale and nature of our operations as a professional man and van and removals provider.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Man with Van Chiswick accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the business. Management will:
Identify, assess and manage significant risks associated with removal services, lifting, carrying, driving and working at or around customer locations.
Provide clear procedures and guidance for staff for loading and securing items, safe use of vehicles, and working in and around client premises.
Ensure that vehicles, tools, equipment and protective gear are maintained in safe working order and are suitable for their intended use.
Provide appropriate information, instruction and supervision so that staff can carry out their duties safely and competently.
Investigate accidents, incidents, near misses and customer safety concerns, and act on findings to prevent recurrence.
Allocate adequate resources to support the ongoing management and improvement of health and safety performance.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee and regular contractor 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. Staff are expected to:
Follow all safety instructions and method statements provided by management.
Use vehicles, trolleys, lifting straps and any other equipment in accordance with training and instructions.
Wear appropriate clothing and protective equipment when required, including suitable footwear for lifting and moving items.
Report hazards, defects, accidents and near misses to management as soon as possible.
Refrain from any behaviour that may put themselves, colleagues, customers or the public at risk, including working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Cooperate fully with health and safety training, briefings, risk assessments and emergency procedures.
Customer and Public Safety
We are committed to protecting customers and members of the public while we carry out removal and transport services. Our teams will:
Plan loading and unloading to minimise obstruction of walkways, entrances and public areas.
Use safe lifting and carrying techniques to prevent accidents and property damage.
Take care when moving large or bulky items through shared or confined spaces, reducing trip and collision hazards.
Maintain clear communication with customers about access, parking requirements and any temporary restrictions needed to carry out work safely.
Respect customer property, ensuring floor coverings, walls, doors and fixtures are protected where reasonably practicable.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of our work, and we recognise the risks of injury if it is not done correctly. Man with Van Chiswick will:
Provide guidance and training in safe lifting, carrying and team handling methods.
Encourage staff to assess each item before moving it, taking account of weight, shape, stability and the route to be used.
Use trolleys, dollies, lifting straps and other aids where appropriate, and promote team lifts for heavy or awkward loads.
Discourage unsafe practices such as rushing, twisting while lifting, or carrying items that are beyond an individual’s capability.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles and drivers play a central role in delivering safe removal and transport services. We will:
Ensure all vehicles are roadworthy, taxed, insured and maintained in line with legal and manufacturer requirements.
Carry out regular checks on brakes, lights, tyres, securing points and loading areas.
Require drivers to hold the appropriate licence, follow road safety rules and drive responsibly at all times.
Load and secure items correctly to prevent shifting loads and damage in transit.
Plan routes to minimise unnecessary risks, including avoiding unsuitable roads for larger vehicles where possible.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
For each job, we consider the specific risks involved, taking into account access restrictions, stairs, parking arrangements, item types and any known hazards. Where necessary we will:
Conduct on-site or pre-move assessments to identify particular safety concerns.
Develop safe systems of work for unusual, fragile or heavy items.
Make reasonable adjustments to methods or scheduling to reduce risks to staff and customers.
Decline work if it cannot be carried out safely with the resources available.
Training, Information and Supervision
We recognise that competent staff are essential to maintaining high health and safety standards. Man with Van Chiswick will:
Provide induction and ongoing training relevant to removal work, manual handling and vehicle safety.
Ensure new staff are supervised until they demonstrate safe and reliable working practices.
Keep staff informed about changes to procedures, equipment or regulations that may affect their work.
Accident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, injuries, near misses and significant safety concerns must be reported to management. We will record, review and, where necessary, investigate these events to learn from them. Findings may lead to changes in procedures, additional training or improvements to equipment or planning.
Man with Van Chiswick is committed to continually improving health and safety performance. We welcome feedback from staff and customers on any aspect of safety and will consider this feedback as part of our regular policy reviews.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, services or relevant legal requirements. Updated versions will be communicated to staff and made available to customers on request so that our approach to safe, reliable removal and transport services remains clear and transparent.
