Man With a Van Ladbroke Grove Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Ladbroke Grove is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team, our customers and any members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage health and safety in a clear, practical and consistent way across all jobs.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We recognise our responsibility to manage health and safety risks arising from our work and to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and guidance. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property by planning work carefully, using safe working methods and reviewing our performance regularly.

Health and safety is a core part of how we deliver man and van and removal services. It applies to all staff, contractors working on our behalf and any visitors who may be present at locations where we are working.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the management of Man With a Van Ladbroke Grove. Management will ensure that appropriate resources, equipment, information and training are provided so that work can be carried out safely.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy on site, monitoring working practices and addressing unsafe behaviour or conditions. They must ensure that staff understand their duties, use equipment properly and follow safe systems of work.

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must:

Follow all health and safety procedures and instructions given by management or supervisors.

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

Report hazards, near misses, incidents and injuries as soon as possible.

Cooperate with any accident investigation, training or health and safety initiatives.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We conduct suitable and proportionate risk assessments for our removal and transport activities. These cover, as appropriate, manual handling, loading and unloading, driving, working in customers homes and premises, use of trolleys and equipment, access and egress, and interaction with other contractors or members of the public.

Based on these assessments, we implement safe systems of work that may include:

Planning access routes and parking to minimise reversing and manoeuvring risks.

Assessing the weight, size and shape of items before lifting or moving them.

Using correct lifting techniques, shared carries and mechanical aids where possible.

Ensuring vehicles are loaded evenly, secured correctly and not overloaded.

Keeping work areas clear of trip hazards and avoiding blocking doorways or fire exits.

Where conditions, locations or tasks change, dynamic risk assessments are carried out on site and work is adjusted or paused if necessary to maintain safety.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and can present a significant risk of injury if not managed properly. We seek to minimise manual handling risks by:

Providing training on correct lifting and carrying techniques.

Using trolleys, dollies, straps and other aids where appropriate.

Encouraging team lifting for heavy or awkward items.

Refusing to move items that cannot be handled safely with the available equipment and manpower.

All equipment, including trolleys, straps, ramps and protective materials, is inspected regularly and any damaged or defective equipment is taken out of use immediately until repaired or replaced.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our services and are maintained to a safe standard. We ensure that:

Vehicles are regularly inspected and serviced in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.

Loads are distributed and secured safely to prevent movement during transit.

Drivers are competent, appropriately licensed and instructed to follow safe driving practices.

Drivers plan routes, allow sufficient time for journeys and follow all road traffic laws.

Any vehicle defects or incidents are reported promptly and addressed before further use.

Customer, Property and Public Safety

We take care to protect customers, their property and members of the public during all removal and delivery activities. This includes:

Working tidily and keeping walkways as clear as reasonably possible.

Using floor and wall protection where appropriate to prevent damage.

Positioning ramps, trolleys and equipment safely so they do not create avoidable hazards.

Communicating clearly with customers about the work being carried out and any restrictions they should observe while we are on site.

Stopping work if conditions become unsafe, such as extreme weather, structural concerns or access issues, and reviewing how to proceed safely.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide staff with information, instruction and training that is appropriate to their role and experience. This may include:

Induction training covering our health and safety policy and procedures.

Manual handling and lifting techniques.

Safe loading and unloading of vehicles.

Use of equipment and protective gear.

Driving standards and safe route planning.

Supervision is provided, especially for new or less experienced staff, to ensure that safe working methods are followed consistently.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. We keep records of these events, investigate the causes and take corrective action to prevent recurrence where reasonably practicable.

Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as fire, injury, vehicle collision or sudden illness. Staff are instructed to prioritise personal safety and the safety of others, to contact emergency services if needed and to follow site-specific emergency arrangements when working at customers premises or shared locations.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage staff to raise health and safety concerns and suggestions for improvement. Consultation may take place informally during team briefings or through direct discussion with management.

This policy and our health and safety arrangements are reviewed periodically and after any significant incident, change in legislation, change in our activities or introduction of new equipment. We aim to improve our health and safety performance continuously as our services develop.

Policy Review

This health and safety policy is effective from the date of publication and will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective for the range of man and van and removal services provided by Man With a Van Ladbroke Grove.