Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Park Royal

This Health and Safety policy sets out how Man with Van Park Royal manages safety for our staff, customers, contractors and members of the public during all removal and transport activities. Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and unsafe practices while delivering reliable moving and delivery services.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

Man with Van Park Royal is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment. We seek to identify hazards, reduce risk as far as is reasonably practicable, and promote a positive safety culture across all aspects of our work. Health and Safety considerations form an integral part of planning and carrying out our man and van, removals, collection and delivery services.

Management accepts ultimate responsibility for Health and Safety performance and ensures that appropriate resources, information and supervision are provided. All workers, whether employed or subcontracted, are expected to follow this policy and cooperate fully in its implementation.

Objectives

To support this commitment, our main Health and Safety objectives are to:

• Prevent injury and work-related ill health during removal, loading, transport and unloading tasks.
• Comply with relevant Health and Safety law, regulations and industry guidance for transport and handling operations.
• Continually improve our Health and Safety arrangements through monitoring, review and staff feedback.
• Provide suitable training, information and equipment so that tasks can be carried out safely and efficiently.
• Minimise risks to customers, visitors, pedestrians and other road users wherever we operate.

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for:

• Establishing and maintaining this policy and associated procedures.
• Ensuring risk assessments are completed, recorded and reviewed for key activities, including manual handling, driving and working on customer premises.
• Providing and maintaining vehicles, tools and equipment in safe condition.
• Ensuring staff receive adequate training, induction and supervision.

Drivers and removal operatives are responsible for:

• Taking reasonable care for their own Health and Safety and that of others affected by their actions.
• Following safe systems of work, training and instructions provided.
• Using equipment correctly and reporting defects immediately.
• Reporting incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions so that they can be investigated and addressed.

Customers and contractors are expected to:

• Provide safe access to premises and inform us of known hazards, such as restricted access, fragile surfaces or structural issues.
• Cooperate with our staff on reasonable safety measures while work is being carried out.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including domestic and commercial moves, single-item transport, furniture removals and loading and unloading vehicles. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, falls from height when using steps or ramps, vehicle movements, and working in confined or cluttered spaces.

Findings from risk assessments are used to establish safe systems of work. These may include planning access routes, using appropriate lifting methods, limiting load weights, using trolleys and lifting aids where suitable, and ensuring adequate staffing for heavier or more complex items.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a major part of removal work and is managed carefully. Staff receive guidance on safe lifting techniques, team lifts, use of equipment and recognising their own limitations. Heavy, bulky or awkward items are assessed before being moved. Where an item cannot be moved safely by manual handling alone, alternative methods such as dismantling, use of trolleys or other aids, or additional personnel may be used.

Operatives are instructed to avoid unsafe practices such as twisting while lifting, overreaching, lifting above shoulder height where possible, or attempting loads beyond their capability.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in safe working order with regular checks carried out on brakes, tyres, lights, securing points and loading areas. Drivers are required to conduct pre-use checks and to report any defects without delay.

Safe driving is essential to our service. Drivers must follow road traffic laws, respect speed limits, avoid using handheld devices while driving and allow sufficient time for journeys to avoid unnecessary pressure or fatigue. Loads must be secured safely to prevent movement during transit and to protect both staff and other road users.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer premises, we take reasonable steps to protect occupants and the public. This includes planning safe access routes, keeping walkways as clear as practical, using caution when moving items through doorways, stairs and corridors, and where appropriate, highlighting trip hazards such as ramps or loose coverings.

We seek to minimise disruption and risk in communal areas, on driveways, pavements and entrances while loading and unloading vehicles. Where conditions are unsafe, such as severe obstruction, unstable surfaces or serious structural issues, work may be postponed or adapted until it can be done safely.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide and maintain suitable equipment such as trolleys, straps, blankets, ramps and basic tools to carry out removal tasks safely. Where personal protective equipment is required, for example gloves or safety footwear, it will be made available and operatives are expected to use it correctly.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive an appropriate induction covering this policy, safe lifting, vehicle safety, incident reporting and customer care. Further training is provided as required, particularly where new equipment or working methods are introduced. Less experienced staff are supervised until they can demonstrate safe and competent working practices.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, damage to property and significant near misses must be reported to management as soon as practicable. Details will be recorded and investigated to identify causes and to prevent recurrence. Where necessary, safe systems of work and training will be updated based on investigation findings.

Monitoring, Review and Policy Updates

We monitor Health and Safety performance through feedback from staff and customers, review of incident records and regular checks on vehicles and equipment. This policy is reviewed periodically and when there are significant changes in our operations, legislation or recognised best practice. Updated versions are communicated to all relevant personnel.

By working together and following this policy, Man with Van Park Royal aims to deliver a reliable removal and transport service while protecting the Health and Safety of everyone involved.