Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Islington

Man With a Van Islington 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 transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading, transportation, and related services.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We aim to conduct all removal and transport operations in a manner that prevents injury, ill health, and property damage. We will comply with applicable health and safety laws, regulations, and recognised best practices relevant to moving, handling, and vehicle operations. Continuous improvement in health and safety performance is an integral part of how we manage and deliver our services.

Health and Safety Objectives

To support this commitment, Man With a Van Islington sets the following key health and safety objectives:

To identify, assess, and control risks associated with lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, and driving activities.

To provide appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision to all workers so that tasks are carried out safely and competently.

To ensure that vehicles, equipment, and tools used in our removal services are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition.

To promote a positive safety culture in which all staff and contractors are encouraged to report hazards, near misses, and incidents promptly.

To review this policy regularly and revise it as necessary to reflect legal requirements, operational changes, and lessons learned from incidents and inspections.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Islington has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. Management will:

Lead by example in promoting safe working practices throughout all stages of the removal process.

Ensure that risk assessments are completed for key activities such as manual handling, stair and corridor navigation, use of trolleys, and vehicle loading.

Provide suitable equipment such as moving straps, dollies, blankets, and protective gear to facilitate safe lifting and handling of goods.

Ensure that vehicles used for removals are serviced, inspected, and maintained in line with regulatory and manufacturer requirements.

Investigate reported accidents, incidents, and near misses, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Allocate adequate resources for health and safety training, equipment, and supervision.

Employee and Contractor Responsibilities

All employees and contractors working with Man With a Van Islington share responsibility for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They are expected to:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided by the company.

Use lifting techniques that minimise strain, such as team lifting for heavy or bulky items, and avoid unsafe shortcuts.

Wear suitable clothing and, where provided, personal protective equipment such as gloves, high visibility garments, or safety footwear.

Inspect equipment and vehicles before use and report any faults or defects immediately so that they can be remedied.

Maintain good housekeeping at work locations, ensuring that walkways, stairs, and loading areas are kept as clear as reasonably practicable.

Report hazards, near misses, and accidents without delay so that they can be addressed quickly and effectively.

Safe Working Practices for Removals

To reduce the risks associated with removal work, Man With a Van Islington applies the following safe working practices:

Manual handling tasks are planned to minimise the need for excessive lifting or carrying. Where possible, items are moved using trolleys or similar aids.

Heavier items are assessed before lifting, and additional team members are used where weight or shape could create a risk of injury.

Routes for moving items are checked for hazards such as wet floors, loose rugs, poor lighting, or obstacles on stairs and landings.

Loading and unloading of vehicles is managed to distribute weight evenly and to secure items using appropriate restraints to prevent movement in transit.

Special care is taken when handling fragile, sharp, or high-value items to avoid injury to workers and damage to property.

Weather conditions are considered when operating outdoors, and extra precautions are taken during rain, ice, snow, or strong wind.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Vehicle safety is a core part of this Health and Safety Policy. Man With a Van Islington will:

Ensure that all drivers hold the appropriate valid driving licence and are competent to operate the vehicles they are assigned.

Carry out regular checks of tyres, brakes, lights, mirrors, and load securing points before journeys.

Require drivers to obey speed limits, parking rules, and road traffic regulations at all times.

Plan routes to reduce unnecessary risks, allowing sufficient time for loading, travel, and unloading so that drivers are not pressured to rush.

Discourage the use of mobile devices while driving, except through legally compliant hands-free systems where necessary.

Manage working hours so that drivers are not expected to work while excessively tired or unfit.

Customer and Public Safety

Man With a Van Islington recognises its duty to protect customers and the general public during removal operations. We will:

Assess access routes to and from properties and, where necessary, agree suitable arrangements with customers for safe loading and unloading.

Position vehicles to minimise obstruction to pedestrians and other road users, taking particular care near driveways, pavements, and shared access points.

Use signage or verbal warnings where appropriate to alert people to moving loads or temporarily restricted areas.

Take reasonable steps to prevent damage to client property and infrastructure, such as walls, floors, doors, and communal areas.

Training, Consultation, and Review

Health and safety are most effective when everyone is involved. Man With a Van Islington will:

Provide induction and ongoing training on manual handling, safe vehicle use, and hazard awareness relevant to removal work.

Consult with staff on health and safety matters and encourage suggestions for improving safety procedures.

Review this Health and Safety Policy at regular intervals, and sooner if there are significant changes in law, operations, or following serious incidents.

This policy applies to all activities carried out by Man With a Van Islington and forms part of our commitment to delivering a professional, safe, and reliable removal service.