Health and Safety policy

Man and Van Stockwell Health and Safety Policy

Man and Van Stockwell is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods, as well as operating vehicles and working in and around customers homes and business premises.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property or the environment during all aspects of our man and van and removal services. To achieve this, we will:

Identify, assess and control risks associated with lifting, carrying, loading, driving and site access.

Provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision for all personnel.

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

Promote a culture where safety is an integral part of all planning and operations.

Review this policy regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective.

Responsibilities and Management

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who will ensure appropriate arrangements are in place to implement this policy. Management will:

Ensure that health and safety considerations are central to operational and strategic decisions.

Provide the resources necessary to meet legal obligations and best practice standards.

Monitor performance, investigate incidents and act on lessons learned.

Keep this policy and associated procedures under regular review.

Employees and contractors also have responsibilities. Every person working for Man and Van Stockwell must:

Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided.

Use equipment and vehicles correctly and report any defects immediately.

Report hazards, near misses, accidents and unsafe conditions without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We will carry out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for our activities, including loading and unloading, manual handling, working in confined or awkward spaces, working on or near roads, stairways and access routes, and working at customer locations. These assessments will be used to create safe systems of work that are communicated to all staff.

Before each job, our team will consider key risks such as parking and vehicle access, staircases, lifts, tight corridors and doorways, weight and size of items to be moved, fragile or high value items, and the presence of vulnerable persons, pets or children. Where necessary, we will adjust our approach to ensure safe execution of the work, which may include using additional staff, specialised equipment or alternative routes.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Moving items for customers involves significant manual handling. To reduce the risk of injury, Man and Van Stockwell will:

Provide manual handling training covering correct lifting techniques, team lifts and use of equipment.

Encourage assessment of each lift in advance, avoiding unsafe loads and awkward postures.

Use appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps and protective gear when required.

Ensure that heavy or bulky items are handled by sufficient numbers of trained staff.

No employee is required or permitted to lift or move loads that are beyond their capability or that present unreasonable risk. Staff are expected to speak up if a task cannot be done safely.

Vehicle Safety and Safe Driving

Our vehicles are central to our man and van and removal services, and their safe operation is essential. We will:

Ensure that all drivers hold the correct licences and are competent and medically fit to drive.

Carry out regular checks, servicing and maintenance of vehicles to keep them roadworthy.

Require drivers to complete pre-use checks and report any defects immediately.

Plan routes with safety in mind, including parking arrangements, loading points and traffic conditions.

Insist on safe driving practices, adherence to speed limits, and avoidance of distractions such as mobile phones while driving.

Loads will be secured properly to prevent movement during transit, with particular care for heavy, tall or unbalanced items.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our work often takes place in customers homes, offices and commercial sites, as well as on public roads and pavements. We are committed to protecting customers, visitors and the public by:

Maintaining tidy and organised work areas, with clear walkways so people do not trip or slip.

Using safe lifting routes and, where appropriate, spotters or lookouts when moving large items.

Taking care when moving items near fixtures, fittings, glass, and other property that could be damaged.

Minimising noise, obstruction and disruption in shared areas such as hallways, stairwells and entrances.

Complying with any reasonable site rules or instructions given by building managers or responsible persons.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man and Van Stockwell will provide training and information to ensure that all employees understand their duties and can work safely. This may include induction training covering company procedures and emergency arrangements, manual handling and use of moving equipment, safe driving and vehicle checks, hazard awareness and reporting, and customer care and behaviour at work.

Training needs will be reviewed periodically, especially following incidents, changes in working methods or introduction of new equipment. Supervisors or experienced team members will provide additional guidance and oversight, particularly for new or less experienced staff.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported as soon as possible to management. We will investigate incidents to determine causes and take corrective action to prevent recurrence. Records of accidents and incidents will be maintained and reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Staff will be informed of emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire or medical emergencies while on customer premises or on the road, how to contact emergency services, and how to secure the scene of an incident where it is safe to do so.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We recognise that effective health and safety management requires input from those doing the work. Man and Van Stockwell encourages staff to raise any health and safety concerns, suggest improvements to working methods, and contribute to the review of risk assessments and procedures.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our operations, relevant guidance and industry best practice. Our aim is to continually improve our health and safety performance, ensuring that all removals and man and van services are carried out as safely as reasonably practicable.