Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Addiscombe

Man with Van Addiscombe 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 removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, transportation and access at properties we serve.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting effective controls in place. We will comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised best practice for the removals and transport sector. Health and safety considerations are integrated into planning, scheduling and completing every move, from small van jobs to larger home and office removals.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

The management of Man with Van Addiscombe has overall responsibility for implementing this policy, providing appropriate resources and reviewing performance. Managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day safety on jobs, ensuring safe systems of work are followed and that staff are properly briefed and equipped.

All removal operatives and drivers have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow training, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents promptly and cooperate with all safety instructions and procedures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We identify and assess risks associated with our removal services, including manual handling, loading and unloading, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, vehicle movements, access to properties and work in shared or public areas. For each job, we consider property layout, parking and loading restrictions, stairs and lifts, weather conditions, and any specific customer requirements that may affect safety.

Where significant risks are identified, we adopt control measures such as team lifting, use of appropriate equipment, route planning for safe carrying distances, and limiting the weight of individual loads. Staff are briefed on safe working methods before starting work, and risk assessments are reviewed if conditions change during the job.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. Our approach includes assessment of items before moving, planning the lift, using correct posture, and employing team lifting techniques for heavier or awkward loads.

Where practical, we use equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, furniture sliders and straps to reduce manual strain. Extremely heavy or specialist items will only be moved where we are satisfied that it can be done safely, with sufficient personnel, correct equipment and clear access.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

We recognise that driving and vehicle operations are significant aspects of our removal services. All vehicles are maintained, inspected and cleaned regularly to ensure they are safe, roadworthy and suitable for the work undertaken. Loads are secured within the vehicle to prevent movement during transit and to protect both staff and customers property.

Drivers are required to hold appropriate licences, obey road traffic laws, drive with due care and allow adequate time for journeys. Route planning takes account of local access, parking restrictions and safe loading and unloading locations. Where it is necessary to work near roads or in busy areas, additional care is taken to protect both staff and the public.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

All equipment used in our removal operations is selected for suitability, inspected regularly and used in accordance with manufacturer instructions and training. Faulty or damaged equipment is removed from service immediately.

Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear and high-visibility clothing where needed, is provided and must be used correctly. Staff are instructed on when and how to use protective equipment and on the importance of keeping it in good condition.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in a variety of homes, offices and commercial properties, often in shared spaces and public areas. We plan work to minimise disruption and maintain clear access routes, paying particular attention to stairs, lifts, corridors and entrances.

Where necessary, we use warning signs or verbal guidance to alert occupants and visitors to potential hazards, such as temporary trip hazards, open vehicle doors or carrying activities in narrow spaces. We take care to avoid damage to property, fixtures and fittings, and we work with customers to identify any known hazards on site before work begins.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive instruction in safe lifting techniques, proper use of equipment, vehicle safety, and company procedures for working in and around customer premises. Additional training is provided where tasks are complex, unusual or involve higher levels of risk.

Less experienced staff work under supervision until they are competent to carry out tasks safely. We encourage open communication about safety concerns, and staff are expected to raise any issues that may affect safe working, including fatigue, equipment problems or unexpected site conditions.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and instances of damage are reported and recorded so that we can identify trends and take preventative action. Where appropriate, we investigate incidents to understand root causes and improve our procedures and training.

Our teams are briefed on emergency arrangements, including what to do in case of fire, serious injury, road traffic incidents or sudden illness. Staff must follow any site-specific emergency procedures when working in customer or third-party premises.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Man with Van Addiscombe monitors health and safety performance through feedback from staff and customers, review of incident reports and regular evaluation of working practices. This policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legislation or industry guidance.

We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety standards across all our removal and transport activities. Everyone involved in our work is expected to play a part in maintaining a safe, professional and responsible service for our customers and the wider community.