Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Hammersmith Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Hammersmith is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and the general public. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks associated with our removal and transport services, including house moves, office relocations and local collection and delivery work.

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. Health and safety considerations are integrated into all planning and operational decisions connected with our man and van and removals activities.

Management Responsibilities

Company management has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented, maintained and regularly reviewed. This includes providing adequate resources, equipment, information, instruction, training and supervision to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees and others who may be affected by our work.

Management will ensure that health and safety standards comply with all relevant legislation and recognised good practice for the removals and light transport sector. We will monitor performance, investigate any incidents, and take corrective action where necessary to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, drivers, porters and contractors working on behalf of Man With a Van Hammersmith have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow all safety procedures, use equipment correctly and cooperate with management to achieve a safe working environment.

Employees are required to report hazards, near misses, accidents, damage to vehicles or equipment, and any health and safety concerns to their supervisor as soon as possible. No employee will be disciplined for raising genuine safety issues or for refusing to carry out work that they reasonably believe to be unsafe, provided they report this immediately.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before each removal or transport job, risks will be assessed and appropriate control measures put in place. This may include reviewing access routes, parking arrangements, loading areas, building layouts, staircases, lift access, trip hazards, lighting conditions and any specific customer requirements.

Where higher risk activities are identified, such as carrying large or heavy items, moving objects in confined spaces, or operating in challenging weather conditions, additional precautions will be taken. These may include using extra staff, specialist equipment, alternative lifting techniques or adjusting the schedule to reduce risk.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core activity in our work and presents a significant risk of injury if not managed correctly. All staff involved in lifting and carrying will receive manual handling training appropriate to their role. This includes safe lifting techniques, use of team lifts, pushing and pulling methods, and recognition of personal limits.

Wherever possible, trolleys, dollies, sack barrows and other moving aids will be used to minimise the need for manual lifting. Heavy, bulky or awkward items will only be handled by suitably trained and capable staff, and may require additional personnel or equipment. Items that are assessed as too heavy or unsafe to move will not be carried until an alternative safe method is arranged with the customer.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles will be maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular checks carried out on tyres, brakes, lights, load securing points and other critical safety features. Defects will be reported promptly and vehicles will not be used if they are considered unsafe.

Drivers must hold the appropriate licence for the vehicles they operate and must follow all road traffic laws. They are expected to drive responsibly, allowing extra time for loading, unloading and travel, and to plan routes that take into account local traffic, restrictions, parking rules and safe access for loading and unloading.

Loads must be evenly distributed and securely restrained to prevent movement during transit. Overloading of vehicles is strictly prohibited. Doors, ramps and tailgates must be used correctly and safely at all times.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Only trained personnel may use company equipment such as trolleys, tail lifts, ramps and securing straps. Equipment must be inspected regularly, and any defects reported immediately so that the item can be removed from service until repaired or replaced.

Where appropriate, personal protective equipment will be provided and used, which may include safety footwear, gloves and high visibility clothing. Staff are responsible for wearing any issued protective equipment as instructed and for reporting loss or damage so that replacements can be provided.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer homes, offices or other locations, our teams will take care to protect both people and property. This includes using appropriate lifting techniques to avoid damage, placing protective coverings where required, and maintaining clear walkways to prevent slips, trips and falls.

Care will be taken to minimise disruption to neighbours, pedestrians and other road users. Where necessary, staff will use warning signals, cones or spotters to guide vehicles, particularly in tight spaces, shared driveways or busy streets.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses and significant damage incidents must be reported as soon as possible to management. An investigation will be carried out to establish the causes and to identify any improvements to procedures, equipment or training that may be needed.

Records of incidents, risk assessments, training and maintenance will be maintained as part of our commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety performance.

Training, Communication and Review

Health and safety training is provided to all new starters and refreshed periodically or when procedures change. This includes training on manual handling, vehicle safety, equipment use, hazard awareness and emergency procedures.

The contents of this Health and Safety policy will be communicated to all employees and will be available to customers on request. The policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, operational practices or the nature of the services we provide.

By working together and following this policy, Man With a Van Hammersmith aims to ensure that every removal and transport job is carried out as safely as reasonably practicable, protecting our staff, customers and the wider community.