Health and Safety policy
Man with Van Neasden Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Neasden is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure environment for our employees, customers, members of the public and anyone else who may be affected by our removal and delivery operations. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and practices we follow to manage risks and promote a culture of safety in all aspects of our work.
This policy applies to all staff, contractors and operatives working on behalf of Man with Van Neasden, whether on the road, at customers premises or at any temporary storage locations used during moves.
Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption during all removal and transportation activities. We work to:
Identify hazards associated with removals, loading, unloading and driving activities.
Assess and control risks through appropriate planning, equipment and training.
Comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice.
Continuously improve our safety performance and working methods.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man with Van Neasden accepts overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy. Management will:
Ensure health and safety is considered in all operational planning and decision making.
Provide suitable equipment, vehicles and protective gear to support safe working.
Arrange appropriate information, instruction, supervision and training for staff.
Monitor working practices and investigate incidents or near misses to prevent recurrence.
Review this policy periodically and update it when necessary to reflect changes to our services or legislation.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, drivers and porters have a duty to safeguard their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. Staff must:
Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided.
Use vehicles, equipment and protective gear correctly and only for their intended purpose.
Report hazards, defects, near misses, accidents or unsafe practices without delay.
Cooperate with management in implementing safety measures and improvements.
Refrain from working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair judgement, reaction times or safe operation of vehicles and equipment.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Man with Van Neasden carries out risk assessments for typical removal and transportation tasks undertaken in our service area. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, vehicle movements, loading and unloading, use of equipment and working in or around customers premises.
Findings from risk assessments are used to develop specific safe systems of work. These may include guidelines for lifting, carrying, route planning, parking, securing loads, working on stairs, and handling bulky, fragile or high value items.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of our work and a key focus of our safety arrangements. To minimise the risk of injury, we:
Provide training in correct lifting and carrying techniques.
Encourage team lifting for heavy or awkward items.
Use appropriate handling aids, such as trolleys or dollies, whenever reasonably practicable.
Plan moves to minimise unnecessary carrying distances, awkward routes and excessive stair use where possible.
Instruct staff not to attempt to lift or move items beyond their physical capability and to ask for assistance whenever needed.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are essential to the service we provide and must be operated safely at all times. Man with Van Neasden is committed to:
Ensuring vehicles are roadworthy, regularly inspected and maintained in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.
Making sure loads are evenly distributed and appropriately secured to prevent movement in transit.
Planning routes with consideration for road safety, traffic conditions and access restrictions.
Instructing drivers to comply with speed limits, parking rules and all road traffic regulations.
Discouraging the use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving, other than approved hands free arrangements when safe to do so.
Ensuring drivers are rested and fit to drive and do not work excessive hours that could compromise safety.
Customer and Public Safety
We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, visitors and members of the public during removal operations. To achieve this, we:
Position vehicles and equipment in a way that minimises obstruction and risk to pedestrians and other road users.
Use safe lifting routes through premises and keep pathways as clear as reasonably possible.
Take care when moving large items through doorways, corridors, stairs and shared access areas.
Advise customers in advance of any specific safety considerations relating to their move, such as keeping children and pets away from work areas.
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
Man with Van Neasden provides equipment that is suitable for the tasks we undertake. Where necessary, this may include moving straps, blankets, trolleys and other handling aids. All equipment must be maintained in good condition and used only by trained staff.
Where risk assessment identifies a need, staff will be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves or safety footwear, and are required to use it as instructed.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences that happen during the course of our work must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We will:
Record relevant details of the incident.
Investigate the underlying causes.
Implement corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Share lessons learned with staff where appropriate.
Training and Competence
Competent staff are essential for safe operations. Man with Van Neasden ensures that staff receive induction training and ongoing guidance covering topics such as safe lifting, vehicle operation, load securing, working on customer premises and emergency procedures. Additional training may be provided where new equipment, processes or risks are introduced.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed at regular intervals and updated whenever there are significant changes to our operations, services, vehicles or legal obligations. All staff will be informed of any changes that affect their work and are expected to familiarise themselves with the latest version of this policy.
By working together and following the arrangements set out in this policy, Man with Van Neasden aims to maintain a safe environment for our team, our customers and the communities in which we operate.
