Man with Van Roehampton Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Roehampton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, and the public. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and procedures that guide our work on every removal, delivery, and transport job across our service areas.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We recognise that professional removals and van services involve physical work, manual handling, and road transport, all of which carry inherent risks. Our priority is to prevent accidents, injuries, and damage by planning each job carefully and following safe working practices at all times.

We aim to achieve continuous improvement in our health and safety performance by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing practical control measures that protect everyone involved.

Responsibilities and Accountability

Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Management is responsible for putting appropriate procedures in place and ensuring that workers have the training, information, and equipment they need to work safely. Team members must follow all safety instructions and report any concerns immediately.

Each member of staff is required to:

Follow all safe working practices and instructions provided during training. Use equipment, tools, and vehicles only for their intended purpose. Wear any personal protective equipment provided where required. Report accidents, near misses, hazards, and unsafe conditions. Cooperate fully with any health and safety investigations or reviews.

Customers also play a part in supporting safe operations by providing accurate information about access, item sizes, and property conditions before work begins.

Risk Assessment and Job Planning

Before each job, we consider the specific risks linked to the property, access routes, parking, and items to be moved. Where required, a risk assessment is carried out to identify potential hazards such as uneven surfaces, stairs, narrow doorways, or heavy and awkward items.

From this assessment, we plan the safest way to carry out the work, including staffing levels, equipment needs, lifting techniques, and time allowances. Our goal is to minimise manual handling risks, trips and falls, and any potential for damage or injury.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is managed with particular care. Our team members are trained in safe lifting techniques and the correct use of handling aids.

Key principles include:

Assessing the weight, shape, and stability of items before lifting. Using two-person lifts or additional help for heavy, bulky, or fragile items. Using trolleys, dollies, and other handling equipment wherever appropriate. Avoiding twisting, over-reaching, or sudden movements while carrying loads. Taking regular short breaks where work is physically demanding.

Loads will not be carried if they are judged unsafe for the available team or conditions. In such cases, we will propose alternative arrangements or equipment.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to the service we provide and are maintained to a safe and roadworthy standard. Drivers are responsible for completing basic checks, reporting defects, and operating vehicles in a safe and considerate manner.

Safe driving practices include:

Adhering to speed limits and traffic laws. Allowing extra time for journeys to avoid rushing. Securing all loads properly to prevent movement in transit. Parking safely and legally, with regard for pedestrians and other road users. Avoiding driving when tired or unfit to do so.

Only authorised and appropriately competent drivers are permitted to operate company vehicles.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Gear

We use appropriate equipment to make lifting and moving safer and more efficient. This includes straps, blankets, trolleys, and other protective materials that help secure items and protect both property and people.

Where necessary, personal protective equipment such as gloves or safety footwear may be worn to reduce the risk of injury. Equipment is inspected regularly, and any defective items are taken out of use until repaired or replaced.

Working in Customer Properties

Respect for customers homes and premises is central to our way of working. We take care to protect floors, walls, and doorways where reasonably practicable, and we move items with attention to both safety and property protection.

We maintain clear walkways wherever possible, keep exits unobstructed, and seek to minimise disruption. If we identify unsafe conditions at a property, such as significant structural damage or severe access problems, we will discuss this with the customer before proceeding or may need to alter or postpone the work.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and significant property damage are recorded and, where appropriate, investigated. The aim of any investigation is to understand what happened and to take steps to prevent similar incidents in future.

Staff are encouraged to report hazards or concerns at an early stage so that action can be taken before an incident occurs. We treat such reports as constructive contributions to improving safety.

Training, Awareness, and Review

Our team members receive training relevant to their roles, including manual handling, safe use of equipment, and safe working practices in and around vehicles. Where duties change or new risks arise, additional guidance is provided.

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable for the services we provide and the areas we operate in. Changes in working methods, equipment, or legislation will be reflected in updated procedures and staff briefings.

Policy Implementation and Communication

This policy applies to all staff and contractors working on behalf of Man with Van Roehampton. It is made available to customers and interested parties to demonstrate our commitment to safe, reliable, and responsible removal services.

By following this Health and Safety policy, we aim to protect the wellbeing of our team, safeguard our customers, and support a high standard of service across every move we undertake.