Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Mill Hill

Man With a Van Mill Hill is committed to providing safe and reliable removal and transport services. We recognise our duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of our workers, customers, members of the public and anyone else affected by our operations. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all of our removal and delivery activities.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The aim of this Health and Safety policy is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our work activities. We seek to:

Identify and control risks associated with removals, loading, unloading and transport; provide appropriate information, instruction and training; supply and maintain suitable equipment and vehicles; and continuously improve our health and safety performance.

Legal Responsibilities

We comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and associated guidance that applies to removal and transport operations in our service areas. We monitor changes in applicable law and good practice and update our procedures when required. All personnel are expected to cooperate with these legal and company requirements at all times.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that safe systems of work are in place. This includes carrying out and reviewing risk assessments, providing suitable equipment, arranging training and supervision, and responding promptly to any reported hazards, near misses or incidents. Managers must lead by example and promote a positive health and safety culture.

Employee and Contractor Responsibilities

All workers, whether employed directly or working on our behalf, must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow our safety procedures, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment, report hazards or incidents immediately, and refrain from working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair their ability to work safely.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including household and office removals, furniture transport, loading and unloading, driving, and working at customer premises. Control measures are implemented to reduce risks so far as is reasonably practicable. These measures are incorporated into our safe working procedures, which are communicated to all relevant personnel.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and a potential source of injury if not managed correctly. We:

Assess loads and access routes before lifting; use trolleys, dollies, lifting straps and other aids whenever practical; require team lifting for heavy or bulky items; and instruct workers in safe lifting techniques, posture and the importance of not attempting loads that are too heavy or awkward.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our operations and must be operated safely at all times. We ensure that:

Vehicles used for removal and transport work are appropriately maintained, inspected and kept roadworthy; loads are secured to prevent movement during transit; drivers hold the correct licence and are competent for the type of vehicle being used; driving time, rest and fatigue are considered when planning jobs; and drivers obey traffic regulations and adapt to road, weather and site conditions.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide suitable equipment for lifting, carrying and protecting goods. All equipment must be used only for its intended purpose and maintained in a safe condition. Where necessary, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or hi-visibility clothing will be provided and must be worn in line with our procedures and site-specific requirements.

Customer Premises and Site Safety

Our work often takes place at customer homes, offices and other premises. To manage risks in these environments we:

Assess access routes, staircases, lifts and parking arrangements before starting work; minimise trip hazards by managing cables, packaging and loose items; protect floors, walls and doors where appropriate; and coordinate with customers or site representatives regarding fire exits, restricted areas and any specific local hazards.

Communication, Training and Supervision

We provide information, instruction and training so that workers can carry out their tasks safely and confidently. This may include induction into our safety procedures, manual handling guidance, vehicle and equipment use, and emergency arrangements. More experienced team members are expected to support and supervise less experienced colleagues to ensure safe working practices are maintained.

Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, property damage and near misses that occur during our work must be reported as soon as possible. We record and investigate such events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Lessons learned are shared within the business to prevent recurrence and to improve overall safety performance.

Emergency Preparedness

We maintain appropriate arrangements for dealing with emergencies, including vehicle breakdowns, accidents on the road, incidents at customer premises and sudden ill health of workers or members of the public. Workers are briefed on how to respond, who to notify, and how to ensure the safety of themselves and others while awaiting further assistance if needed.

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

We regularly review our health and safety performance, including feedback from workers and customers, incident reports and inspection findings. Where issues are identified, we take reasonable steps to improve our procedures, equipment and training. This Health and Safety policy is reviewed periodically and updated when necessary to reflect changes in operations, legislation or best practice.

Policy Review and Availability

This Health and Safety policy is an integral part of how Man With a Van Mill Hill conducts its removal and transport services. It is made available to workers and customers on request and may be revised from time to time. All personnel are expected to familiarise themselves with the policy and to work in accordance with its principles to help maintain a safe and professional service.