Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Whetstone Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Man with Van Whetstone manages the wellbeing of employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public during all removal and delivery activities. Our commitment is to operate safely, responsibly, and in accordance with relevant health and safety legislation applicable to our services.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Man with Van Whetstone is committed to preventing injury, ill health, and damage to property during the provision of moving, transportation, and related services. We aim to continually improve our safety performance and to create a culture in which safe working is understood, accepted, and practiced at all times.

Our primary health and safety objectives are to identify and control risks associated with lifting, carrying, vehicle operations, and work at customers premises; provide appropriate information, instruction, and training to everyone working on our behalf; maintain vehicles, equipment, and work practices to a high safety standard; and consult with workers on health and safety matters that may affect them.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are provided to maintain safe working conditions. This includes regularly reviewing the policy, monitoring performance, and putting corrective actions in place where necessary.

Managers and supervisors will ensure that risk assessments are carried out for removal and delivery tasks, safe systems of work are developed and communicated, staff receive appropriate training and supervision, and any accidents, near misses, or hazards are reported, investigated, and recorded.

Employee Responsibilities

Every person working for Man with Van Whetstone shares responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees and contractors are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and the safety of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions, follow all safety instructions, training, and procedures provided, correctly use vehicles, tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment supplied, report hazards, defects, near misses, and incidents without delay, and cooperate fully with any accident investigation or safety review.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Suitable and proportionate risk assessments are carried out for typical tasks involved in moving and transportation services, including manual handling of furniture and boxes, operating trolleys and lifting aids, loading and unloading vehicles, securing loads for transport, driving vans in residential and commercial areas, and working in confined, shared, or multi-occupancy premises.

Control measures and safe working methods are developed from these assessments and are communicated to all staff. These methods are reviewed when there are changes to work practices, equipment, or operating locations, or following any significant incident.

Manual Handling and Load Safety

Manual handling is a key element of our work and is managed with particular care. Staff are trained in correct lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifting for heavy or bulky items, use of handling equipment, and safe movement through narrow or obstructed spaces.

Where reasonably practicable, trolleys, dollies, straps, and other aids are used to reduce strain and avoid injury. Loads are assessed before they are moved to check weight, shape, stability, and route conditions. Items are loaded and secured in vehicles to prevent shifting during transit and to avoid damage or injury on opening doors.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

All vehicles used for removals and deliveries are maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, brakes, lights, restraints, and other safety-related components. Any defect that could affect safety is reported immediately and the vehicle is not used until it is repaired.

Drivers are expected to hold the correct licence, obey speed limits and traffic regulations, avoid driving when fatigued or unfit, and adapt their driving style to local road, weather, and traffic conditions. Journey planning is used, where appropriate, to reduce unnecessary risks, avoid unsafe parking or loading locations, and allow sufficient time for safe completion of each job.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Work is often carried out at customers premises or in shared spaces such as corridors, stairwells, and car parks. Our staff take reasonable steps to protect the safety of customers, neighbours, and members of the public by maintaining clear routes wherever possible, using caution signs or verbal warnings when moving bulky items, avoiding the obstruction of entrances, exits, or emergency routes, and taking care when opening vehicle doors onto pavements or shared areas.

Where access is restricted or presents a particular hazard, customers are advised of any limitations and reasonable alternative arrangements are considered to complete the work safely.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man with Van Whetstone provides appropriate induction and ongoing training so that staff understand the risks associated with removal and transportation work and know how to control those risks. Training may include manual handling, use of equipment and aids, vehicle safety and load securing, safe driving practices, and incident reporting procedures.

Written or verbal instructions are provided for specific tasks where required. Supervisors monitor working practices and provide additional guidance or corrective instruction where unsafe behaviour or conditions are observed.

Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, dangerous occurrences, and near misses must be reported as soon as possible to management. This allows prompt support for anyone affected, proper recording of events, and the identification of measures to prevent recurrence.

Investigations are carried out in a fair and constructive manner, focusing on learning and improvement rather than blame. Where appropriate, procedures and risk assessments are updated, and the findings are communicated to relevant staff.

Welfare, Health, and Fitness for Work

We recognise the importance of general wellbeing in maintaining safe performance at work. Staff are encouraged to report any condition, injury, or concern that may affect their ability to carry out removal or driving duties safely. Work is planned to allow reasonable breaks and to avoid, as far as practicable, excessive fatigue.

Alcohol and illegal drugs are strictly prohibited during working hours and while operating company vehicles or equipment. Anyone suspected to be under the influence, or otherwise unfit for work, will be removed from duty until the matter is addressed.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals, and whenever there are significant changes to our services, equipment, or the legal framework that governs our operations. Feedback from staff, customers, and other stakeholders is taken into account when updating procedures.

By working together to follow this policy and associated procedures, Man with Van Whetstone aims to provide an efficient, reliable, and safe removal service for all customers in our service area.