Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Sydenham
Man with Van Sydenham is committed to providing a professional and safe removals service for our customers, our workers and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy explains how we manage risks associated with moving, loading, transport and delivery of household and commercial items. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and damage through careful planning, training and continuous improvement.
Policy Aims and Scope
This policy applies to all activities carried out by Man with Van Sydenham, including home removals, office moves, collection and delivery services, loading and unloading, packing assistance and short-distance transportation. It covers all workers engaged by us, whether permanent, temporary, subcontracted or self-employed, while they are carrying out work under our control.
Our aims are to comply with relevant health and safety legislation, to minimise hazards associated with manual handling, driving and on-site work, and to promote a culture where safety is understood and respected by everyone involved in our services.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man with Van Sydenham is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes assessing risks, providing resources, ensuring that safe systems of work are in place, and reviewing our arrangements regularly.
Managers will ensure that vehicles and equipment used for removals are kept in a safe condition, that workers receive appropriate guidance and that any incidents, near misses or hazards are investigated and addressed promptly.
Employee Responsibilities
All workers representing Man with Van Sydenham have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for the safety of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow instructions, safe working procedures and training provided, use equipment correctly, and report hazards or incidents without delay.
Workers must not misuse or interfere with any equipment provided for safety purposes. They are expected to present themselves fit for work, including being free from the influence of alcohol or drugs, and to use any personal protective equipment supplied when it is required for particular tasks.
Risk Assessment and Planning
Before undertaking a removal or delivery, Man with Van Sydenham will consider the likely risks involved. This may include reviewing access points, parking, stairways, lifts and the nature of the items to be moved. Where necessary, a more detailed risk assessment will be carried out, particularly for large, heavy or awkward moves.
We will plan tasks to reduce manual handling risks, avoid unnecessary lifting, and ensure that sufficient personnel and time are allocated. Where particular hazards are identified, such as fragile items, restricted access or shared use of loading areas, we will take appropriate steps to control those risks and communicate them to the team.
Safe Manual Handling
Manual handling is a central part of removal work and is a key focus of our safety arrangements. Man with Van Sydenham promotes safe lifting techniques and safe team handling. Workers are instructed to assess the weight and shape of items before moving them, to ask for assistance when needed and to use equipment such as sack trucks or lifting aids where suitable.
Heavy or bulky items are moved by more than one person whenever appropriate. We will avoid carrying loads over excessive distances where alternative methods are available and will seek to minimise carrying on stairs and uneven surfaces.
Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and must be operated safely at all times. Drivers working for Man with Van Sydenham are expected to hold the correct licences, follow road traffic laws, and drive in a manner that prioritises safety over speed.
Vehicles are loaded so that items are secured and evenly distributed to prevent movement during transit. Drivers must check doors and tailgates are properly closed and that visibility is not compromised. We will not carry loads that exceed the safe capacity of our vehicles.
Customer and Public Safety
During removal work, we recognise our responsibility to protect customers, neighbours and members of the public. Man with Van Sydenham will maintain clear pathways where possible, communicate with customers about any temporary hazards and use caution when moving large items through shared spaces, entrances or pavements.
We will avoid blocking fire exits, communal hallways and emergency routes. Where work is carried out in busy or confined areas, workers will take extra care when carrying items to prevent collisions, trips or falls.
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
Man with Van Sydenham will provide suitable equipment for handling and transporting items where required. This may include trolleys, straps, blankets and other protective materials designed to safeguard both property and people.
Personal protective equipment may be provided for specific tasks, such as gloves for handling certain materials or footwear appropriate for manual handling work. Where such equipment is issued, workers must use it correctly and report any defects so that it can be repaired or replaced.
Training, Information and Supervision
We recognise that safe removal work depends on knowledge and awareness as well as equipment. Man with Van Sydenham provides workers with information about safe lifting, loading, vehicle use and site conduct. New workers are made aware of our safety expectations and procedures when they begin working with us.
Where necessary, more experienced personnel may supervise particular tasks, such as moving unusually heavy or delicate items. Ongoing guidance will be offered to reinforce safe methods and to share lessons learned from any incidents or near misses.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and significant hazards encountered during removal work must be reported to Man with Van Sydenham management as soon as it is safe to do so. This enables us to take appropriate action, provide assistance and review how similar situations can be avoided in future.
In emergencies, such as serious injury, fire or road traffic collisions, workers must prioritise calling the relevant emergency services and safeguarding people on site. After immediate needs are addressed, details of the incident should be recorded so that a thorough review can be undertaken.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Man with Van Sydenham is committed to improving health and safety performance over time. We will review this Health and Safety Policy periodically and following any significant incident or change in our operations. Feedback from workers and customers is welcomed and will be considered when updating our arrangements.
By following this policy and working together, we aim to ensure that our removal services are delivered safely, efficiently and with respect for everyone involved.
