Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Aldborough Hatch
Man with Van Aldborough Hatch is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure working environment for our customers, our team members and any third parties who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety policy outlines our approach to managing risk and promoting safe working practices during all moving, transport and loading operations.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property by applying sensible, proportionate safety measures to all man and van and removal services. Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety and ensures that appropriate resources, training and supervision are provided so that work can be carried out safely and efficiently.
All employees and contractors are expected to cooperate fully with this policy, follow safe systems of work and report any incidents, hazards or concerns without delay. We will review this policy regularly and revise it whenever working practices, legislation or industry standards change.
Responsibilities for Health and Safety
Management is responsible for setting and maintaining high safety standards, ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, that appropriate equipment is provided and that all drivers and porters are competent to carry out their tasks. Supervisors and senior staff have day-to-day responsibility for enforcing safe methods of work and for checking that vehicles and lifting equipment are suitable and safe.
All workers are responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. This includes using equipment correctly, wearing any required personal protective equipment, following manual handling guidance and cooperating with any training or instructions provided.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before undertaking removal or transport work, we carry out risk assessments that consider factors such as access routes, parking and loading areas, the weight and size of items, potential obstacles, the need for lifting aids, and any special requirements at the property. These assessments inform the safe systems of work that our team must follow.
Where risks cannot be eliminated, practical control measures are introduced, such as using additional personnel for heavy items, deploying trolleys or lifting aids, planning vehicle positioning to minimise carrying distances and ensuring that floors, steps and driveways are kept as clear as reasonably practicable during the job.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of man and van and removal work, so we place particular emphasis on preventing lifting-related injuries. All staff receive guidance in safe lifting techniques, including assessing the load, keeping it close to the body, bending the knees rather than the back, and avoiding twisting while carrying items.
Where loads are too heavy or awkward to be lifted safely by one person, team lifting or mechanical aids are used. Staff are instructed not to take unnecessary risks or to attempt to lift items that exceed their physical capability. If a load cannot be moved safely with the available resources, the work will be reassessed and alternative arrangements will be made.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are subject to regular checks. Drivers must complete basic daily checks before using a vehicle and must report any defects or concerns immediately so that corrective action can be taken. Loads must be evenly distributed, properly secured and within permitted weight limits.
Drivers are expected to comply with all road traffic laws, drive considerately, follow route plans where provided and adjust driving style to reflect weather, traffic and local conditions in the service area. Mobile phones and other devices must only be used in a safe and legal manner. Tiredness and impairment from alcohol or drugs are not tolerated under any circumstances.
Protection of Customers, Property and Public Areas
We recognise our duty to protect customers, their property and members of the public while we are working. Where appropriate, we will use floor covers, corner protectors and other simple safeguards to minimise the risk of damage. Walkways, entrances and stairwells must be kept as clear as reasonably practicable to prevent trips and falls.
When loading or unloading, the team will position vehicles to minimise disruption to traffic and pedestrians. If work is taking place on or near roads or shared access areas, staff will remain vigilant and communicate clearly with each other to ensure items are moved safely without creating avoidable hazards.
Personal Protective Equipment and Work Equipment
Where risk assessment identifies the need for personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear or gloves, it will be provided and must be worn as instructed. All equipment, including trolleys, straps and ramps, must be used correctly and checked regularly for signs of wear or damage. Faulty equipment must be removed from use and reported.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide appropriate training for all personnel, covering topics such as manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle loading, working at height where relevant and emergency procedures. New staff receive an induction that includes an overview of this Health and Safety policy and the expectations placed on them.
Ongoing supervision and refresher training are used to maintain standards and to address any concerns identified during work. Staff are encouraged to ask questions and to raise any uncertainty about safe methods of working before starting a task.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, incidents, near misses and damage to property must be reported as soon as possible so that they can be recorded, investigated and used to improve our systems. We use this information to identify trends, update risk assessments and adjust working practices to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
By consistently applying this Health and Safety policy, Man with Van Aldborough Hatch aims to deliver reliable removal and transport services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved and preserving the condition of the properties and belongings entrusted to our care.
