Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Stroud Green
Man with Van Stroud Green is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety for our customers, employees, contractors, and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with our removal and transport services, including domestic moves, office moves, single-item transport, and related activities.
Policy Aim and Scope
The aim of this policy is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health during any moving, lifting, loading, unloading, or driving activities carried out by Man with Van Stroud Green. It applies to all staff, including temporary and contracted workers, and to all locations where we provide removal and delivery services.
We recognise our duty to comply with relevant health and safety legislation and to promote safe working practices across all aspects of our operations.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man with Van Stroud Green is responsible for ensuring that health and safety considerations are embedded into day-to-day operations. This includes:
Assessing risks linked to manual handling, vehicle use, access to properties, and storage of goods.
Providing suitable equipment that is properly maintained and appropriate for the work being undertaken.
Ensuring that staff have the necessary information, instruction, and training to complete their tasks safely.
Investigating incidents, near misses, and reported hazards and taking corrective action to prevent recurrence.
Reviewing this Health and Safety Policy regularly and updating it when required to reflect changes in legislation, working practices, or company structure.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, drivers, and removal operatives have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of those who may be affected by their actions. Staff are expected to:
Follow the training, guidance, and safe systems of work provided by Man with Van Stroud Green.
Use equipment correctly and report any defects or concerns immediately.
Cooperate with management on all health and safety matters, including attending training and briefings as required.
Report any accident, near miss, unsafe condition, or hazard as soon as it is identified.
Refrain from horseplay, misuse of equipment, or any behaviour that may compromise safety.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Man with Van Stroud Green carries out risk assessments for typical removal activities and for any non-routine tasks where additional hazards may be present. These risk assessments inform our safe working practices and are communicated to staff as part of their induction and ongoing training.
Key risk control areas include:
Manual handling, lifting, and carrying of furniture and boxes.
Use of moving equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, and protective blankets.
Safe access and egress at customer premises, including stairs, corridors, and external pathways.
Parking and loading of vehicles in a way that reduces risks to staff, customers, and the public.
Securing loads within the vehicle to prevent shifting during transit.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of our removal service. To minimise the risk of injury, we ensure that:
All staff receive manual handling training appropriate to their role.
Heavy or awkward items are lifted by two or more operatives, or mechanical aids are used where possible.
Items are assessed before moving to determine the safest method, route, and team size.
Staff are encouraged to stop and reassess if they believe a lift is unsafe or beyond their capability.
Customers are advised not to assist with heavy lifting unless specifically agreed and risk assessed.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Safe operation of vehicles is essential to protecting staff, customers, and other road users. Man with Van Stroud Green ensures that:
Drivers hold the correct licence and are competent and trained for the type of vehicle they operate.
Vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained in a roadworthy condition.
Loads are evenly distributed and properly secured within the vehicle.
Drivers plan routes in advance, taking into account access, restrictions, and loading areas.
Driving hours, breaks, and levels of fatigue are managed to reduce the risk of accidents.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our teams work in a wide range of homes, offices, and other premises. To ensure safety on site:
Access routes are checked for hazards such as loose carpets, trailing cables, poor lighting, or slippery surfaces.
Where appropriate, floors are protected using suitable coverings to reduce slips and trips.
Items are stacked safely during loading and unloading to prevent collapse or obstruction of exits.
Members of the public and other building users are considered when moving large items, and work is planned to minimise disruption and risk.
Any hazards identified at customer premises that may impact safety are communicated to the customer and managed as far as is reasonably practicable.
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
Man with Van Stroud Green provides appropriate equipment and personal protective equipment required for safe removal work. This may include gloves, safety footwear, hi-visibility clothing, and lifting aids. Staff are required to:
Use the provided equipment and personal protective equipment as instructed.
Check equipment before use and report any damage or defect.
Store equipment correctly to prevent damage, loss, or misuse.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We recognise that competence is essential to safe working. All new staff receive an induction that covers this Health and Safety Policy, emergency procedures, and the specific risks associated with removal work. Additional training may be provided on topics such as manual handling, vehicle safety, and working in different types of premises.
Supervision is proportionate to the experience of staff and the complexity of the work being undertaken. Less experienced staff work under the guidance of senior team members until they demonstrate the required competence.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We maintain records of such events and use this information to improve our systems and prevent recurrence.
In the event of a serious incident, the safety of people takes priority over property. Staff are trained to respond appropriately, including raising the alarm, calling emergency services where necessary, and following any site-specific emergency procedures.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
Man with Van Stroud Green is committed to reviewing and improving its health and safety performance. We monitor compliance with this policy through supervision, feedback from staff and customers, and periodic checks on vehicles, equipment, and working practices.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or relevant legislation. Updates are communicated to all employees to ensure continued understanding and compliance.
By working together and following this policy, we aim to provide a safe, reliable, and professional removal service for all customers while protecting the health and wellbeing of our workforce and the wider community.
