Man and a Van Greenwich Health and Safety Policy
Man and a Van Greenwich is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, transportation and related services, and supports our aim of operating safely, responsibly and in accordance with applicable health and safety requirements.
Policy Objectives
The main objectives of this Health and Safety policy are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and maintain a culture of safety awareness. We will achieve this by:
Identifying hazards associated with our removals and transport operations and assessing the risks arising from them. Implementing and maintaining safe systems of work for lifting, loading, driving and delivering. Providing appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to all workers. Ensuring vehicles, tools and equipment are well maintained, suitable for purpose and used correctly. Encouraging communication, consultation and feedback on health and safety matters. Continuously improving our performance through regular monitoring and review.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man and a Van Greenwich accepts overall responsibility for health and safety. This includes ensuring that adequate resources are available to implement the policy and that health and safety is given equal priority with other business objectives. Management will:
Set clear health and safety standards and lead by example. Ensure risk assessments are carried out and control measures are implemented and reviewed. Provide access to appropriate training and ensure workers are competent for the tasks they undertake. Investigate accidents, near misses and incidents to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Review this policy periodically to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with current legislation and guidance.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and contractors working for Man and a Van Greenwich share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Every worker is required to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided. Use vehicles, equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Co operate with management on all matters related to health and safety. Report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents and near misses without delay so appropriate action can be taken.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out risk assessments for our activities, including domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading vehicles, manual handling of furniture and possessions, and driving operations. These assessments consider the likelihood and potential severity of harm and identify control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work are implemented for tasks such as lifting and carrying, navigating stairways, using trolleys and lifting aids, and securing loads in vehicles. These systems are communicated to all relevant staff through training, briefings and written instructions, and are reviewed regularly to reflect operational changes.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant aspect of removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. We train staff in correct lifting techniques, team lifting procedures and safe use of handling equipment. Wherever practicable, we use appropriate aids such as trolleys and lifting straps to minimise strain.
All equipment used in the course of our work is selected for suitability and maintained in good working order. Defective or damaged equipment is removed from service immediately until repaired or replaced. Employees are instructed never to misuse equipment or attempt makeshift repairs.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to our operations and are maintained in a safe, roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic daily checks and reporting any concerns promptly.
We require all drivers to hold the correct licences for the vehicles they operate and to adhere to road traffic laws at all times. Loads must be properly distributed and securely restrained to prevent movement during transit. Drivers are expected to allow adequate time for journeys, drive considerately, and avoid any behaviour that could put themselves, passengers or other road users at risk.
Customer and Public Safety
During removals, collections and deliveries, we take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of customers, visitors and members of the public. This includes planning safe access routes, keeping pathways as clear as reasonably practicable, and communicating any temporary hazards such as ramps or trailing equipment.
Where necessary, we may ask customers or others to keep clear of certain areas while heavy items are being moved or vehicles are being manoeuvred. Our staff are trained to work with care and consideration in and around homes, business premises and shared spaces.
Housekeeping and Work Environment
Good housekeeping is an essential part of safe working. We aim to keep work areas, vehicles and storage spaces tidy and organised to reduce the risk of trips, slips and falls. Packaging materials, tools and waste are removed or stored safely as work progresses.
Where we are working on customer premises, we endeavour to minimise disruption and maintain a clean and orderly environment, taking particular care with stairways, corridors and access points used for moving items.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide appropriate health and safety training for all employees, including induction training for new starters and task specific training for roles involving driving, lifting or use of equipment. Training may cover manual handling, safe loading, use of protective equipment, vehicle checks and emergency procedures.
Instructions and guidance are given in a form that is understandable and practical for the work being done. Supervisors and experienced staff are expected to monitor working practices, correct unsafe behaviours and support less experienced team members.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported so that they can be recorded, investigated and used to improve our safety management. We maintain appropriate records of accidents and incidents and review them to identify trends or areas where further controls may be needed.
Staff are made aware of basic emergency procedures, including actions to take in the event of fire, serious injury or road traffic incidents. Where we are working at customer sites, we will cooperate with the emergency arrangements in place at those premises.
Health, Welfare and Wellbeing
We recognise that protecting health extends beyond preventing physical injuries. We take steps to prevent excessive fatigue, encourage regular breaks for drivers and manual handlers, and promote sensible workloads and schedules.
We also seek to foster a culture in which workers feel able to raise concerns about their health, wellbeing or working conditions without fear of unfair treatment. Any such concerns will be treated seriously and considered as part of our commitment to a safe and supportive working environment.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals or following significant changes to our operations. We take into account feedback from employees, customers, incident investigations and any changes in legal or best practice guidance.
Man and a Van Greenwich is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety. By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, we aim to ensure that all removal and transport activities are carried out as safely as reasonably practicable for everyone involved.
