Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Dartford

Man With a Van Dartford 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 describes our approach to managing risks associated with home and office removals, loading and unloading, driving, and handling customer property.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to prevent injuries, protect health and minimise risks linked to our van and removal services. We aim to identify hazards before work begins, take sensible precautions to control risks, and continuously improve our working practices. Safety is considered alongside quality, reliability and customer care in all aspects of our operations.

Roles and Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man With a Van Dartford rests with the company owner or senior management. They ensure that appropriate arrangements, resources and training are in place to manage health and safety effectively.

All employees and contractors are required to:

Follow safe working procedures and instructions given by supervisors or managers.

Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately.

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

Report accidents, near misses, hazards and unsafe conditions as soon as possible so that corrective action can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We assess the risks associated with our activities, including house and flat moves, office relocations, small deliveries and furniture transport. Before work starts, we consider factors such as access routes, parking, manual handling requirements, staircases, lifts, weather conditions and time pressures.

Where significant risks are identified, we put safe systems of work in place. These may include using additional staff, using moving equipment such as trolleys and straps, planning routes in advance, or adjusting the schedule to avoid congestion and reduce stress on drivers and porters.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Lifting and moving heavy or awkward items is a core part of our removal service, and we recognise the risk of injury if this is not done correctly. To reduce the risk of strains, sprains and back injuries, we:

Provide manual handling guidance and instruction to staff, including safe lifting techniques and team lifting where required.

Encourage staff to assess each load before moving it and to refuse to lift items that they consider unsafe without further assistance or equipment.

Use appropriate moving aids, such as sack trucks, trolleys, sliders and protective covers, whenever reasonably practicable.

Maintain our vehicles and equipment in good working order and remove defective items from use until they are repaired or replaced.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vans are essential to our removal services and must be operated safely and responsibly. We are committed to:

Keeping our vehicles roadworthy through regular checks, servicing and inspections.

Ensuring loads are secured properly to prevent movement during transit and to protect both staff and customers property.

Requiring drivers to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits, parking restrictions and safe driving practices.

Discouraging the use of mobile phones while driving and promoting full concentration on the road.

Planning routes and scheduling work to reduce excessive time pressure and driver fatigue.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer properties or business premises, we aim to minimise disruption and prevent accidents involving customers, visitors or members of the public. We do this by:

Keeping access routes as clear as possible and using safe lifting paths from property to vehicle.

Being mindful of trip hazards such as boxes, tools, cables and protective coverings, and tidying as we go.

Using care when carrying large items around corners, near doorways and in shared hallways or communal areas.

Working in pairs or teams for heavier items or where visibility is restricted, to maintain control and reduce the risk of impact or damage.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide appropriate information and instruction to all staff so that they understand our health and safety rules, the risks associated with removal work, and how to carry out tasks safely. New or inexperienced staff are given closer supervision until they are familiar with our procedures.

Where needed, additional guidance may be provided on subjects such as safe driving, loading and unloading, manual handling and emergency procedures. We encourage staff to ask questions and raise any concerns about safety.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses that occur during our work are reported to management and recorded. We investigate what happened and, where necessary, revise our working methods to prevent a similar event in future.

We take any customer feedback relating to safety seriously and use it to improve our procedures and communication.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of moving and transport work and the importance of staff being fit for duty. Employees are expected to inform management if they have any medical condition, injury or concern that could affect their ability to work safely, especially if it could affect lifting or driving.

We do not tolerate working under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and employees must comply with any applicable company rules on substance use and medication that might impair performance.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man With a Van Dartford is committed to continually improving our health and safety performance. We review this policy regularly, and also after any significant change in our activities, vehicles, equipment or relevant legislation. Updates are communicated to staff so that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and the standards expected.

By following this Health and Safety Policy and working together, we aim to provide a reliable removal service that protects our team, our customers and the wider community.