Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Seven Sisters
Man with Van Seven Sisters 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 delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our responsibilities and the standards we apply across all services, including domestic and commercial removals, packing, loading, transport and unloading.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our operations. We will identify and control risks associated with lifting and carrying, operating vehicles, working in customer premises, and handling furniture, equipment and personal belongings.
We are committed to complying with applicable health and safety legislation, regulations and recognised industry best practice. We will review this policy regularly and update it as our services, working methods or legal requirements evolve.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man with Van Seven Sisters is responsible for implementing and maintaining effective health and safety arrangements throughout the company. This includes:
Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out for all key activities, such as loading and unloading vehicles, working in stairwells, moving heavy or awkward items, and operating in different types of premises.
Providing appropriate training, information, instruction and supervision so that staff understand their responsibilities and can work safely at all times.
Supplying and maintaining suitable equipment and vehicles to enable safe working practices, including appropriate lifting aids where required.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Allocating adequate resources for health and safety, including time for training, vehicle checks and equipment maintenance.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Everyone working for Man with Van Seven Sisters is required to:
Follow the company’s safe working procedures, instructions and training at all times.
Use vehicles, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and for their intended purpose.
Report hazards, defects, near misses and unsafe conditions immediately to a supervisor or manager.
Refrain from working under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or in any condition that may compromise safety or performance.
Cooperate fully with any investigation, audit or review relating to health and safety matters.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out ongoing risk assessments for our removal and delivery work, considering manual handling risks, slips and trips, confined spaces, working on stairs, traffic movement around vehicles, and the handling of fragile or high-value items.
Safe working methods are developed and communicated to staff, including:
Planning the route and access in advance, including consideration of parking, loading areas and safe entry to premises.
Using team lifting techniques for large, heavy or bulky items and avoiding lone handling of loads that present a risk of injury.
Maintaining clear walkways, keeping floors and steps free of obstacles, and ensuring adequate lighting where work is being carried out.
Securing loads properly inside vehicles to prevent movement during transport and unloading.
Taking extra care when working in shared residential buildings, offices or public spaces to avoid harm to bystanders.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core element of our work and a key focus of this policy. We aim to eliminate or reduce manual handling risks by:
Assessing the weight, shape and stability of items before moving them.
Using trolleys, dollies, straps and other aids where reasonably practicable.
Applying correct lifting techniques, keeping loads close to the body, avoiding twisting and seeking assistance when required.
Providing training on safe manual handling, including how to recognise and avoid hazardous loads or movements.
All equipment is inspected regularly, and defective items are removed from service immediately until repaired or replaced.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are essential to our removal and delivery services, and their safe operation is a priority. Man with Van Seven Sisters will:
Ensure that drivers are competent, properly licensed and familiar with the vehicles they operate.
Carry out routine checks on brakes, tyres, lights, securing points and other critical components before use.
Plan routes to minimise risks associated with congestion, restricted access and loading restrictions, while maintaining safe driving practices at all times.
Require drivers to adhere to road traffic laws and safe driving guidelines, including speed limits, parking rules and restrictions on mobile phone use while driving.
Ensure that loads are evenly distributed and properly restrained to prevent shifting during transit.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, visitors, neighbours and members of the public during removal and delivery operations. To achieve this we will:
Carry out a basic on-site assessment on arrival, identifying hazards such as narrow staircases, loose floor coverings, low ceilings, uneven surfaces or restricted access.
Where necessary, set up temporary controls such as warning signs, verbal briefings, restricted access areas or designated walkways.
Take care to prevent damage to property, fixtures and fittings by using suitable protective coverings and handling techniques.
Respect the privacy of customers, working in a professional and considerate manner at all times.
Training, Communication and Consultation
Health and safety training is provided to new and existing staff, tailored to their role and level of responsibility. This may include induction training, manual handling techniques, vehicle safety, use of equipment and emergency procedures.
Health and safety information is communicated through briefings, instructions and regular reminders. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in the continuous enhancement of our safety culture.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported as soon as possible. Records are kept and reviewed to spot patterns and opportunities for improvement.
Staff are briefed on what to do in the event of an emergency, such as fire, serious injury, vehicle collision or structural damage at a customer’s property. This includes prioritising personal safety, contacting the relevant emergency services and notifying company management.
Review of Policy
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective. Changes in law, industry practice, company activities or feedback from staff and customers may lead to updates. The most current version of the policy is the one that applies to all work undertaken by Man with Van Seven Sisters.
By following this policy, we aim to deliver our man and van and removal services safely, reliably and with respect for everyone affected by our operations.
