Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Deptford

Man With a Van Deptford is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our workers, customers, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, transportation, loading, unloading, and related services.

We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and are dedicated to continual improvement in our safety performance. This policy applies to all workers engaged by Man With a Van Deptford, regardless of employment status, and to all work carried out on customer premises, public roads, and any other locations where we operate.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary health and safety objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and minimise disruption during removal and transportation work. We aim to:

Identify, assess, and control significant risks associated with our activities.
Provide safe systems of work for lifting, carrying, driving, and loading.
Ensure that vehicles and equipment are suitable, maintained, and used correctly.
Provide information, instruction, and training so that workers can perform their roles safely.
Encourage a positive safety culture where concerns can be raised without hesitation.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Management at Man With a Van Deptford is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources are available for health and safety. This includes planning work safely, providing appropriate equipment, and ensuring compliance with legal and company requirements.

Supervisors and team leaders, where appointed, are responsible for day-to-day safety on jobs, including briefing workers, monitoring safe practices, and responding promptly to hazards identified on site or during transport.

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 or omissions. This includes following instructions, using equipment correctly, reporting hazards and incidents, and cooperating fully with this policy.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We assess the risks associated with removal services, including manual handling, vehicle movements, working in customers homes and premises, and handling large or fragile items. Where necessary, we adjust our working methods to reduce risk, such as by using extra staff, equipment, or alternative routes.

Before starting work at a property or site, workers are expected to make a visual inspection to identify hazards such as obstructed walkways, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, restricted access routes, or items that are excessively heavy or awkward. Identified risks will be addressed by clearing pathways where possible, using appropriate lifting techniques and equipment, or altering the work sequence.

Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

Manual handling is a key part of our removal activities. To reduce the risk of injury, we promote and enforce safe lifting and carrying practices, including:

Assessing the weight and shape of items before moving them.
Using trolleys, dollies, straps, and other handling aids wherever appropriate.
Working in teams when lifting or carrying heavy or bulky items.
Avoiding twisting or overreaching while carrying loads.
Taking additional care when using stairs, narrow corridors, and tight corners.

Workers must not attempt to lift or move items that are beyond their capability and must request assistance or additional equipment where needed.

Vehicle, Driving, and Road Safety

Safe operation of our vehicles is essential. All drivers must hold the appropriate and valid licences and are expected to comply with road traffic laws and company driving standards at all times.

We are committed to:

Maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing.
Ensuring loads are evenly distributed, secured, and within weight limits.
Planning routes to minimise risk, time pressure, and unnecessary mileage.
Discouraging the use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving.
Encouraging sufficient rest breaks to reduce fatigue and maintain concentration.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our activities often take place in and around customer homes, offices, and public spaces. We take special care to safeguard customers, neighbours, and passers-by by:

Keeping access routes as clear as possible during loading and unloading.
Using safe parking locations to reduce obstruction and visibility risks.
Protecting floors, walls, and doorways to prevent damage where reasonable.
Minimising noise and disruption, particularly in residential areas.
Communicating clearly with customers about timing, access needs, and any temporary restrictions.

Equipment, Tools, and Personal Protective Equipment

Any equipment or tools used for removal activities must be suitable for the task and in safe working condition. Workers are responsible for visually checking equipment before use and removing from service any item that appears damaged or defective.

Where reasonably required, we provide appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves or safety footwear, and ensure that workers understand how and when it should be worn. Workers are expected to use such equipment correctly and to look after it responsibly.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and damage to property that occur during our work must be reported as soon as possible. Reporting allows us to investigate causes, take corrective action, and reduce the likelihood of similar events occurring again.

Workers must familiarise themselves with basic emergency procedures, including how to summon medical assistance, safely evacuate premises, and respond to incidents such as fire, trips or falls, and road traffic collisions.

Training, Communication, and Consultation

We provide workers with information and instruction on safe working practices relevant to their roles. This may include induction briefings, on-the-job training, and periodic updates when procedures or legal requirements change.

We encourage open communication about health and safety. Workers are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and participate in discussions regarding safe systems of work. No one will be treated unfavourably for highlighting genuine safety issues.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

We monitor our health and safety performance by reviewing incidents, customer feedback, worker reports, and observations from jobs. Where necessary, we update our procedures, provide additional training, or introduce new equipment.

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation, or best practice. Updated versions are communicated to all workers so that everyone understands their responsibilities and the standards expected.

By following this policy, Man With a Van Deptford aims to deliver reliable, efficient, and safe removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our work.