Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Catford

Man With a Van Catford is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery operations. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with household removals, office moves, furniture transport and related van services.

We aim to conduct all activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption. Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver every move, from small local collections to full property relocations.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our key objectives are to:

Identify, assess and control risks arising from our removal and transport activities.

Comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry practices.

Provide information, instruction, supervision and training so that employees are competent in their duties.

Maintain vehicles, equipment and tools in a safe and reliable condition.

Promote a positive health and safety culture in which all staff take personal responsibility for safe working.

Continuously improve health and safety performance through monitoring, review and learning from experience.

Roles and Responsibilities

Management is responsible for ensuring that effective health and safety arrangements are in place for all man and van services. This includes risk assessment, provision of resources, and ensuring that staff understand and follow safe systems of work.

Team leaders and drivers are responsible for implementing safe working practices on each job, including briefing crew members, checking equipment, and ensuring that loading and unloading activities are carried out safely at customers premises and public locations.

All employees and contracted workers are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must cooperate with management in following health and safety procedures, using equipment correctly and reporting hazards, near misses and incidents promptly.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including domestic and commercial removals, heavy item transport, stair carries and long distance trips. These assessments inform our safe working procedures, which are communicated to staff during induction and ongoing training.

Before each job, our team considers site-specific risks such as access routes, parking arrangements, steps and staircases, manual handling challenges, and the presence of other contractors or members of the public. Where necessary, the method of working is adapted to manage these risks, for example by using additional staff, equipment or adjusted loading techniques.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is managed with particular care. Our policy is to avoid unsafe lifting wherever reasonably practicable by using suitable equipment and planning loads sensibly.

Staff are trained in safe lifting and carrying techniques, team lifts, use of trolleys and dollies, and safe manoeuvring on stairs and confined spaces. Heavy or awkward items such as appliances, pianos or large furniture are assessed in advance where possible so that appropriate resources and equipment can be provided.

Employees are instructed to refuse tasks that cannot be carried out safely within the agreed arrangements and to seek guidance from management if they have any concerns about a particular item or route.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

We recognise that road safety is a major part of our responsibility as a removal and transport business. Our vehicles are maintained in good working order with regular inspections, servicing and safety checks. Drivers must complete basic pre-use checks and report any defects immediately.

Drivers are required to hold the appropriate driving licence and to follow all road traffic laws. They must drive at safe speeds, allow for the impact of loaded vehicles on stopping distances, and plan routes to minimise unnecessary risks. Use of mobile phones while driving is restricted to legal hands-free arrangements, and drivers must not be distracted during vehicle operation.

We encourage realistic scheduling to avoid excessive working hours and driver fatigue, with appropriate breaks built into longer journeys or busy days.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide suitable equipment to support safe working, which may include trolleys, moving blankets, straps, ramps, and other handling aids. All equipment is inspected regularly and maintained so that it remains safe and fit for purpose.

Where appropriate, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear and hi-visibility clothing is made available and must be used as instructed. Staff are required to look after equipment issued to them and to report any defects or damage.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams take care to protect both customers property and the safety of anyone nearby while working in homes, offices and shared spaces. This includes using floor protection where appropriate, securing doors and gates where needed, and managing trip hazards caused by boxes, tools or packing materials.

Where loading or unloading requires temporary use of pavements, shared driveways or communal areas, we aim to minimise obstruction and clearly communicate with those affected. Items are never left in unsafe positions where they may fall, cause injury or obstruct emergency exits.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, damage to property and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to provide any necessary support, investigate causes and implement corrective actions.

Our staff are briefed on basic emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, vehicle breakdown or collision. First aid provisions are maintained in our vehicles or depot, and emergency services are contacted without delay when required.

Training, Communication and Consultation

Health and safety training forms part of our staff induction process, and further instruction is provided as roles develop, new equipment is introduced or legislation changes. Topics include manual handling, vehicle safety, dealing with customers, working in different types of properties and use of safety equipment.

We encourage open communication on health and safety issues. Staff are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and share learning from jobs. Where appropriate, changes to procedures are discussed with team members who carry out the work on a daily basis.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We monitor our health and safety performance by reviewing incident reports, feedback from staff and customers, and periodic checks on working practices. Where issues are identified, we take corrective action and update risk assessments or procedures as needed.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable for our range of man and van, removal and transport services. Revisions may be made in response to operational changes, legal requirements or lessons learned from experience.

By following this policy and working together, Man With a Van Catford aims to deliver reliable removal services while protecting the wellbeing of our staff, customers and the wider community.