Health and Safety policy
Health And Safety Policy For Man With Van New Cross
Man with Van New Cross 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 services. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, driving and working in and around client premises and vehicles.
Policy Aims And Objectives
Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and disruption to our services by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. We will continually seek to improve our health and safety performance and foster a culture where safety is a shared responsibility.
We will ensure that health and safety considerations are integrated into planning and delivering all man and van, removals, and transport services, whether for domestic or commercial customers.
Management Responsibilities
Management of Man with Van New Cross accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. Managers will:
Ensure that this policy is implemented, monitored and reviewed on a regular basis and communicated to all workers.
Provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to enable employees to carry out their work safely and competently.
Maintain safe systems of work for lifting, carrying, loading and unloading items, including heavy and awkward loads.
Ensure vehicles and equipment used in removals and transport are suitable, maintained and inspected in line with legal and company requirements.
Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and take action to prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and contractors of Man with Van New Cross share responsibility for maintaining high standards of health and safety. They 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 work procedures, risk assessments, lifting techniques and instructions provided by the company.
Use any protective equipment and safety aids provided and report any defects immediately.
Report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents and near misses at the earliest opportunity so that corrective action can be taken.
Co operate with managers in fulfilling legal and company health and safety requirements, including attending training and briefings.
Risk Assessment And Safe Systems Of Work
We will carry out risk assessments covering key aspects of our removal and transport activities. These may include manual handling, working in confined or cluttered spaces, use of trolleys and lifting aids, loading and securing goods in vehicles, driving and parking, and working at customer properties.
Based on these assessments, we will establish safe systems of work and communicate these clearly to all relevant personnel. Controls may include team lifting, use of moving equipment, route planning, restrictions on load weight, safe stacking methods, and procedures for working on stairs and in shared access areas.
Manual Handling And Lifting
Manual handling is a key element of any man and van or removal service, and we take particular care to manage the associated risks. We will:
Provide training on safe lifting, carrying and team handling techniques.
Encourage employees to assess each load before lifting, considering weight, shape, stability and the route to be taken.
Use trolleys, sliders, straps and other equipment where practical to reduce strain and the risk of injury.
Avoid unnecessary lifting and ensure that individual workers do not attempt loads beyond their capability.
Vehicle Safety And Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to our services and must be operated safely at all times. We will:
Ensure vehicles are maintained, serviced and inspected in accordance with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.
Check that loads are distributed and secured properly to prevent movement or instability while in transit.
Require drivers to hold appropriate valid licences and to follow all road safety rules, including speed limits and rest requirements.
Plan routes and parking to minimise risk when loading and unloading in busy streets or residential areas.
Customer Premises And Public Safety
Our teams often work in customers homes, workplaces and shared buildings. We will take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors and the public by:
Using safe access routes and keeping walkways as clear as reasonably practicable during moves.
Taking care with doors, gates, lifts and staircases to avoid damage and prevent trips or falls.
Managing cables, ramps and equipment so they do not create unnecessary hazards.
Communicating clearly with customers about any temporary risks during loading or unloading and agreeing safe working arrangements where needed.
Training, Information And Supervision
We recognise that competent and informed staff are essential for safe operations. Man with Van New Cross will provide ongoing training and guidance on topics such as manual handling, safe vehicle use, use of equipment, incident reporting and emergency procedures.
New starters will receive an appropriate induction covering the companys health and safety expectations and procedures relevant to their role. Supervision will be proportionate to the level of risk and the experience of the worker.
Accident Reporting And Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses that occur during our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will keep records, investigate the causes and implement measures to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Employees must familiarise themselves with emergency arrangements relevant to the locations where they are working, including fire exits, assembly points and procedures agreed with the customer or building management.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, our activities or identified risks. Updated versions will be communicated to all employees, and copies will be made available to customers on request.
By following this policy, Man with Van New Cross aims to deliver reliable removal and transport services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved.
