Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Hackney Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Hackney 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 removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risk, preventing injury, and promoting safe working practices across all moving, loading, unloading, and driving operations.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We recognise that removal and transport work can involve manual handling, vehicle use, and access to domestic and commercial premises, all of which carry potential risks. We are committed to:

Identifying, assessing, and controlling health and safety risks arising from our activities. Providing information, instructions, training, and supervision needed for safe working. Maintaining safe equipment, vehicles, and systems of work. Ensuring safe handling, storage, and transportation of customers belongings. Reviewing and improving our health and safety performance on a regular basis.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man With a Van Hackney rests with the company management, who ensure that this policy is implemented and maintained. Management responsibilities include:

Ensuring suitable risk assessments are carried out for typical removal tasks and specific jobs where necessary. Providing appropriate resources to manage health and safety effectively. Making sure that all workers are aware of this policy and understand their responsibilities. Investigating incidents and near misses, and implementing corrective actions.

Employees and contractors also have important responsibilities. They must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety procedures, training, and instructions provided. Use equipment and vehicles correctly and report any defects immediately. Report hazards, incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions without delay. Cooperate with management in all matters relating to health and safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out ongoing risk assessments that cover the typical risks associated with removal and transport work. These include manual handling, slips and trips, vehicle movements, working in confined or cluttered spaces, and contact with members of the public.

For larger, more complex, or higher risk moves, we may conduct specific job-based risk assessments. These assessments inform the planning of each move, including staffing levels, equipment requirements such as trolleys or lifting aids, and safe access routes in and out of premises.

Our team is required to follow established safe systems of work, including:

Planning the route before a job and considering access limitations. Confirming floor conditions, stair layouts, and any obstacles upon arrival. Using team lifting techniques for bulky or heavy items. Avoiding unnecessary manual handling by using mechanical aids where possible. Stopping work and contacting management if a situation is considered unsafe.

Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

Manual handling is a key part of our day to day operations, and it is a major focus of our health and safety arrangements. We aim to minimise risks from lifting and carrying by:

Assessing the weight, size, and shape of items before lifting. Encouraging customers to disclose very heavy or unusual items in advance. Providing suitable handling equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, and straps where appropriate. Training staff in correct lifting techniques, including posture, team lifting, and safe movement on stairs.

Our staff are instructed not to lift any item that they believe is beyond their capability or that may compromise their safety or the safety of others. When an item is too heavy or awkward, we will seek an alternative method or may refuse to move it if it cannot be done safely.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our removal services, and we place strong emphasis on safe driving and vehicle maintenance. We aim to ensure that all vehicles used for work are roadworthy, clean, and suitable for their intended purpose.

Our safety measures include:

Regular checks of tyres, lights, brakes, and securing points. Ensuring loads are distributed evenly and securely to prevent movement in transit. Providing guidance to drivers on safe driving techniques and awareness of vulnerable road users. Encouraging compliance with all road traffic laws, including speed limits and rest requirements.

Drivers are expected to report any defects or concerns about vehicles immediately so that appropriate action can be taken before the vehicle is used again.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our duty to protect customers, their property, neighbours, and the general public during our work. When working at domestic or commercial locations we will:

Plan safe access routes and keep them as clear as reasonably practicable. Take care to protect floors, walls, and doorways where appropriate. Position vehicles safely to minimise obstruction to other road users and pedestrians. Use caution when carrying items through shared spaces such as corridors, stairwells, and pavements.

If we identify conditions that may create an unacceptable risk, such as unsafe staircases, severe clutter, or aggressive behaviour, we reserve the right to pause or cancel work until the risk has been controlled.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide our team with appropriate information and guidance on health and safety relevant to removal work. This may include induction training, on the job instruction, and periodic refreshers. Topics can cover manual handling, safe loading of vehicles, use of equipment, and dealing with customers in a professional and safe manner.

Supervision levels are set according to the experience of the workers and the complexity of the job. Less experienced staff will work under closer supervision until they have demonstrated competence in safe working practices.

Accidents, Incidents, and Policy Review

All accidents, incidents, and near misses that occur during our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record such events and, where necessary, investigate the cause so that we can learn from them and prevent recurrence.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes in our operations, in relevant guidance, or where improvements are identified. The latest version of this policy is made available to workers and customers on request.

By booking our removal services, customers can be assured that we take health and safety seriously and that we are committed to carrying out every job in a careful, professional, and responsible manner.