Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Southgate Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Southgate is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for our workers, customers, visitors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removal and transport activities, including packing, loading, unloading and driving.

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment by identifying hazards and implementing effective control measures. We comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and keep our procedures under regular review.

Scope and Responsibilities

This policy applies to all people working for or on behalf of Man with Van Southgate, including permanent staff, part-time workers, temporary staff, subcontracted drivers and porters. It also covers activities carried out at customers premises, on the road and at any storage or loading locations we use.

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who are responsible for ensuring that adequate resources, information, training and supervision are provided. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for applying this policy in day-to-day operations and ensuring that workers follow the procedures set out.

All workers have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions, to cooperate with the company on safety matters and to use equipment correctly as instructed.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man with Van Southgate carries out risk assessments for its key activities, including manual handling of furniture and boxes, loading and unloading vehicles, driving and parking, working in confined spaces such as stairwells and dealing with adverse weather or poor lighting conditions.

These assessments identify hazards and set out safe systems of work. Findings are communicated to workers through training, briefings and site instructions. Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there is a significant change in working practices, equipment or locations.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal services and is therefore a major focus of our safety procedures. We are committed to reducing the risk of injury by:

Providing training on safe lifting techniques, including team lifting of heavy or bulky items, using leg muscles rather than the back and avoiding twisting while carrying loads.

Using handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets where practical to minimise strain.

Planning each job to avoid unnecessary carrying distances and to identify obstacles such as narrow doorways, steep stairs or uneven surfaces.

Encouraging workers to request help when a load is too heavy or awkward to lift safely on their own and never to exceed their individual capability.

Customers are requested not to overload boxes and to inform our team in advance of any particularly heavy or fragile items so that appropriate equipment and staffing levels can be arranged.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are integral to our operations and are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition in line with legal requirements and manufacturer recommendations. Regular inspections and servicing are carried out and any defects are reported and rectified promptly.

Drivers are required to hold valid licences appropriate to the vehicles they operate and to comply with all traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations. They must drive in a manner that is considerate to other road users and pedestrians and that protects the safety of passengers and loads.

Loads are secured properly before departure, with furniture and boxes arranged to minimise movement during transit. Where necessary, protective materials are used to prevent damage to items and to the vehicle.

Customer Premises and Site Safety

Our teams work at a wide variety of domestic and commercial premises. To protect both customers and workers, we:

Assess access routes, staircases, lifts, entrances and parking points on arrival to identify hazards.

Use appropriate protective coverings where necessary to reduce the risk of slips and to protect flooring.

Organise lifting and carrying routes to keep them as clear as possible, avoiding trip hazards such as loose cables, clutter or uneven surfaces.

Take care when moving large items near walls, ceilings, light fittings and door frames to prevent damage and injury.

Where conditions present an unacceptable risk that cannot be adequately controlled, work will be paused and the situation reviewed with the customer.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

All tools and equipment used in connection with our removal services are selected for suitability and maintained in good working order. Any damaged or defective items are taken out of service immediately.

Where the nature of the work requires it, suitable personal protective equipment is provided, for example gloves, high visibility clothing, safety footwear or other items as appropriate. Workers are required to use this equipment as instructed and to look after it properly.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Southgate provides induction and ongoing training to workers to ensure they understand their responsibilities and are competent to carry out their tasks safely. Training covers topics such as manual handling, safe loading, vehicle safety, housekeeping, incident reporting and emergency procedures.

Supervision is proportionate to the experience and competence of the workers and the complexity of the job. New or less experienced workers are closely supervised until they have demonstrated that they can work safely and in line with our procedures.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly to management. This enables us to investigate what happened, take corrective action, support any injured parties and learn lessons to prevent recurrence.

Records of incidents are kept and reviewed to identify patterns and opportunities for improvement. Where necessary, risk assessments and procedures are updated and additional training or equipment is provided.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal activities and the importance of workers being fit for their duties. Workers are expected to report any health condition or medication that may affect their ability to carry out tasks safely.

Alcohol and drug misuse are not tolerated while working, driving or representing the company. Anyone believed to be unfit for work will be removed from duty immediately and appropriate steps will be taken.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man with Van Southgate is committed to continually improving its health and safety performance. We encourage feedback from workers and customers on safety matters and review this policy regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective.

This Health and Safety Policy is communicated to all workers and is available to customers on request. By working together, we aim to deliver our removal services efficiently while protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.