Health and Safety policy
Man with Van Brent Health and Safety Commitment
Man with Van Brent is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, including packing, loading, transportation and unloading of goods.
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures tailored to removal and delivery activities.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aims of this policy are to ensure that health and safety is an integral part of all removal operations and to demonstrate that Man with Van Brent will:
Identify, assess and control risks associated with lifting, carrying, driving and working in and around customers homes, offices and premises.
Provide and maintain vehicles, equipment and tools that are safe, suitable and properly maintained for removal tasks.
Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to staff so they can work safely and competently.
Promote a positive health and safety culture where hazards and near misses are reported, discussed and acted upon.
Continuously improve our health and safety performance through regular monitoring and reviews.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man with Van Brent will take overall responsibility for the effective implementation of this Health and Safety Policy. Management duties include:
Ensuring that safe systems of work are developed, communicated and followed for all aspects of removals, including lifting, loading, securing loads and driving.
Carrying out and reviewing risk assessments for typical removal tasks and for any non routine activities.
Providing suitable equipment, such as trolleys, moving blankets, straps and other lifting aids, to reduce manual handling risks.
Ensuring all vehicles used for moves and deliveries are serviced, inspected and maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition.
Allocating sufficient resources, including time and budget, to health and safety management, training and equipment.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to identify causes and implement corrective measures.
Reviewing this policy at regular intervals, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or relevant guidance.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular contractors working on behalf of Man with Van Brent share responsibility for maintaining high health and safety standards. Staff are expected to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Follow all safe working procedures, training and instructions provided, particularly in relation to lifting, carrying and team handling.
Use vehicles, lifting aids, protective equipment and tools in a safe and responsible manner.
Report any hazards, defects, near misses, accidents or unsafe practices to management without delay.
Refrain from horseplay or any behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues or customers.
Never work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair judgement or coordination.
Manual Handling and Lifting Safety
Manual handling is a central part of removal work and is a key focus of this policy. To reduce the risk of injury, Man with Van Brent will ensure that:
All staff receive appropriate manual handling training, including information about posture, lifting techniques and use of lifting aids.
Loads are assessed before lifting to consider size, weight, shape and any potential hazards such as sharp edges or instability.
Team lifting is used for heavy or awkward items like furniture, appliances and large boxes, with clear communication between team members.
Lifting aids such as trolleys and sliders are used wherever reasonably practicable to reduce strain and the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Staff are encouraged to stop and reassess if an item is too heavy or awkward to move safely.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Safe driving is essential to protecting staff, customers and other road users. Man with Van Brent will:
Ensure that only competent and appropriately licensed drivers operate company vehicles.
Keep vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition through regular servicing, inspections and defect reporting procedures.
Ensure that loads are safely distributed, secured and covered where necessary to prevent movement or damage in transit.
Encourage drivers to plan routes, allow sufficient time and comply with road traffic rules and speed limits.
Discourage the use of mobile phones or other distracting devices while driving, unless in hands free mode and only when safe to use.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Removal work often takes place in shared spaces, residential areas and commercial premises. To protect customers and the public, we will:
Assess access routes, stairs, lifts and doorways before work begins, looking for trip hazards, fragile surfaces and restricted spaces.
Use warning signs where appropriate to alert people to moving operations, particularly in communal or public areas.
Keep walkways and access routes as clear as reasonably possible from packaging materials, tools and equipment.
Handle customers belongings with care to avoid damage and potential hazards, such as broken glass or spilled liquids.
Work considerately to minimise disruption and reduce risks arising from noise, vehicle manoeuvres and loading operations.
Training, Consultation and Communication
Man with Van Brent recognises that effective health and safety management depends on competent and informed staff. We will:
Provide induction and ongoing training relevant to removal work, including manual handling, vehicle safety and incident reporting.
Inform staff about any changes to procedures, equipment or working methods that may affect safety.
Encourage staff to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safe working practices.
Make this Health and Safety Policy available to employees and customers upon request so that our approach to safety is transparent.
Monitoring and Review
We regularly monitor our working practices, review accident and incident reports and seek feedback from staff and customers. This enables us to identify trends, address recurring issues and improve our procedures. The Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice or our removal services.
By implementing this Health and Safety Policy, Man with Van Brent aims to deliver efficient, reliable and safe removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved.
