Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Ickenham Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Ickenham is committed to providing safe and reliable removal and delivery services for all customers. This Health and Safety Policy explains how we manage risks, protect our workers, safeguard the public, and care for customer property during collection, transportation and unloading across our service areas.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to conduct all man and van, moving and light removal activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health and damage to property. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance, comply with relevant legislation and follow industry good practice for lifting, loading and transport operations.

The management of Man With a Van Ickenham accepts overall responsibility for health and safety and will provide appropriate resources, information and supervision to enable work to be carried out safely. All workers share responsibility for taking reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions.

Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to all activities undertaken by Man With a Van Ickenham, including but not limited to:

Residential removals and moves

Small office and commercial moves

Single-item and multi-item collections and deliveries

Loading and unloading of vehicles

Driving and parking of vans for removal work

Work carried out at customers homes, business premises and public locations within our service area.

Responsibilities

Management will:

Lead by example and promote a positive safety culture

Ensure vehicles and equipment are suitable and maintained in safe condition

Provide guidance and instruction in safe working methods

Assess risks and implement appropriate control measures

Investigate accidents, near misses and concerns, and take corrective action.

Workers will:

Follow safe working procedures and instructions

Use equipment correctly and report defects immediately

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others

Report hazards, incidents and near misses promptly

Cooperate with any health and safety improvements introduced.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We assess risks associated with our removal and delivery services and put control measures in place. This includes consideration of:

Manual handling of furniture, appliances and boxes

Access routes, stairways, lifts and external paths

Traffic and parking conditions during loading and unloading

Weather conditions that may affect driving, lifting or walking surfaces

Potential interaction with members of the public at collection and delivery points.

Where necessary, we adapt our working methods at each location to suit the conditions on site and reduce the likelihood of accidents or damage.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our moving services and is treated as a key safety priority. To reduce the risk of injury:

Heavy or bulky items are assessed before moving and, where possible, moved by two people

Workers are instructed to use safe lifting techniques, keeping loads close to the body and avoiding twisting

Items are divided into smaller loads when practical

We use suitable equipment such as trolleys or skates where available and appropriate

Customers may be advised if an item is unsafe to move without additional assistance or equipment.

Vehicle Safety and Driving

Our vehicles are central to the services we provide. To support safe operation:

Vehicles used for removals and deliveries are maintained in a roadworthy condition

Loads are distributed evenly and secured to prevent movement in transit

Drivers comply with road traffic laws and adjust driving style to suit weather and traffic conditions

Parking locations for loading and unloading are chosen to minimise risks to staff, customers and the public, while respecting local parking rules.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We work respectfully and safely within customers homes and business premises. To protect people and property:

Walkways, stairs and doorways are kept as clear as reasonably possible

Protective coverings may be used where appropriate to reduce the risk of damage to flooring and fixtures

Large or awkward items are planned and guided carefully through tight spaces

We take care to avoid creating trip hazards with packaging, tools or equipment

We are mindful of neighbours and the public when operating in residential streets and shared spaces.

Housekeeping, Cleanliness and Damage Prevention

Good housekeeping supports both safety and service quality. Our teams aim to:

Keep working areas tidy throughout the move

Stack items safely in vans and at premises to avoid collapse

Check for lost or dropped items that could present a slip or trip hazard

Handle customers belongings carefully to prevent avoidable damage.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise that removal work can be physically demanding. Workers are expected to:

Be fit for work and not under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs

Report any health conditions that may be affected by heavy lifting or repetitive tasks

Use rest breaks sensibly, especially on longer jobs or journeys

Stay hydrated and dress appropriately for weather conditions.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide information and guidance on safe methods of work tailored to moving and man and van activities. New workers are introduced to our expectations on lifting, vehicle loading and customer care. Supervision is provided in proportion to the experience of the worker and the complexity of the task.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Arrangements

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to:

Provide assistance where needed

Record details and identify underlying causes

Review and improve our working methods.

In the event of a serious incident or injury, emergency services will be contacted and appropriate steps taken to protect those at the scene and secure the area.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage feedback from workers and customers on any health and safety concerns related to our moving and delivery services. Suggestions for improvement are welcomed and considered as part of our ongoing review of safe working practices.

Monitoring and Review of This Policy

This Health and Safety Policy is monitored for effectiveness and reviewed periodically, or following any significant change in our services, working methods or relevant legislation. Updated versions will reflect lessons learned from experience and will be communicated to all workers.

By following this policy, Man With a Van Ickenham aims to provide safe, efficient and professional removal and delivery services throughout the areas we serve.