Man With a Van Merton Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Merton is committed to providing a professional, reliable and safe removal service for our customers, employees, contractors and the general public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out how we manage risks associated with moving, handling, loading, unloading and transporting goods as part of our removal services.

We comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and codes of practice relevant to our operations. Health and safety is an integral part of our planning, day-to-day activities and long-term business development.

Policy Objectives

The objectives of this policy are to:

Identify, assess and control risks associated with our removal and transport services.

Prevent injury and ill health to employees, contractors, customers and members of the public.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, tools and working practices.

Ensure all staff receive training, information and supervision appropriate to their role.

Promote a positive safety culture based on communication, responsibility and continuous improvement.

Review health and safety performance regularly and update procedures where necessary.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management. Management will ensure that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy and that health and safety considerations are included in all key decisions.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for communicating safe systems of work, checking that staff follow agreed procedures and reporting any hazards, incidents or near misses.

All employees and contractors are required to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow instructions, training and company procedures at all times.

Use vehicles, equipment and protective gear correctly and report defects immediately.

Inform management of any incidents, near misses, hazards or concerns without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading, lifting and carrying, packing, driving, and working at customers premises.

From these assessments we develop safe systems of work which include, where appropriate:

Planning routes and access in advance to reduce manual handling risks.

Evaluating the weight, size and condition of items before attempting to move them.

Using appropriate lifting techniques and team lifting for heavier or awkward items.

Using handling equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets where beneficial.

Securing loads safely within vehicles to prevent movement during transit.

Taking extra care around steps, tight corners, driveways, communal areas and shared access routes.

Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, equipment, premises or vehicles, or following any significant incident.

Manual Handling and Lifting

As a removal company, manual handling is a central part of our work. To protect our teams and customers, we:

Provide training in safe lifting and carrying techniques.

Encourage dynamic risk assessments at each job, so staff can adapt to the specific location.

Require staff to ask for assistance or use equipment for heavy, bulky or unstable loads.

Plan removal sequences to minimise carrying distances and avoid unnecessary lifting.

Assess whether any particular items require specialist equipment or additional personnel and arrange this in advance wherever possible.

Vehicles, Equipment and Maintenance

Our vehicles and equipment are selected and maintained with safety as a priority. We:

Carry out regular safety checks and servicing of vehicles in line with manufacturer guidelines.

Inspect straps, blankets, trolleys and other handling aids for wear and damage.

Remove from service any vehicle or equipment that is unsafe until it has been repaired or replaced.

Ensure that loads are distributed and secured correctly to maintain vehicle stability and protect both staff and other road users.

Training, Information and Supervision

We ensure all staff receive induction training that covers our health and safety expectations, risk assessments, manual handling techniques, vehicle safety and customer service standards.

Additional role-specific training is provided as required. Refresher training is delivered when necessary, particularly following changes to working practices, new equipment or after any incident investigation.

Supervision is proportionate to the level of risk and experience of staff. New or less experienced team members work under closer guidance until they are assessed as competent.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our duty to protect customers, visitors, neighbours and members of the public during our work. To achieve this, we:

Plan access routes to minimise disruption and hazards in communal areas, pavements and driveways.

Keep work areas as tidy as practicable, avoiding trip hazards such as loose packing materials and tools.

Where necessary, use clear verbal communication and temporary barriers or warning signs in busy or shared spaces.

Identify vulnerable individuals, such as children or elderly residents, and take extra care to maintain safe pathways and clear visibility.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, vehicle incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record and investigate these events to identify root causes, learn lessons and implement corrective actions.

Where appropriate, we will review risk assessments, update procedures, provide additional training or change equipment to prevent recurrence.

Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and the importance of fitness for work. Staff are encouraged to report any health conditions or injuries that may affect their ability to carry out manual handling or driving tasks safely.

We do not permit staff to work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that impairs judgement or performance. Prescribed medication that may affect working ability must be discussed with management so that suitable adjustments can be made.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage feedback on how to improve our working methods and procedures. Ideas for safer practices are actively considered and, where appropriate, implemented across the business.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective, relevant and aligned with the changing needs of our removal services. Updated versions are communicated to all staff and made available to customers on request.

By working together and following the guidance set out in this policy, Man With a Van Merton aims to deliver safe, efficient and professional removal services throughout our operating area.