Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Shepherds Bush

Man With a Van Shepherds Bush is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks associated with our removals and delivery services.

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, and damage to property by identifying potential hazards and implementing appropriate control measures. Health and safety is a core part of how we operate and deliver reliable moving and transport services.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for ensuring that health and safety is properly organised, controlled, and monitored throughout all operations. This includes providing suitable equipment, safe systems of work, and adequate information and training for staff.

We will regularly review our working practices and risk assessments to make sure they remain suitable and effective. When new services, equipment, or methods of work are introduced, we will evaluate any additional risks and update our procedures accordingly.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They are expected to follow all safety instructions, use equipment correctly, and cooperate fully with health and safety procedures.

Team members must report any accidents, incidents, near misses, unsafe conditions, or damaged equipment to management as soon as possible. Nobody should attempt tasks for which they have not been trained or which they believe cannot be carried out safely.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before each removal or transport job, we assess potential risks associated with the property, access routes, and the items being moved. This may include evaluating staircases, lifts, doorways, parking arrangements, loading areas, and any potential traffic hazards.

We plan each job using safe systems of work designed to minimise manual handling risks, prevent slips, trips, and falls, and protect both staff and customers. Where necessary, additional equipment and vehicle positioning are used to make loading and unloading safer and more controlled.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key element of our work, so we apply strict guidelines to protect staff and prevent injury. Our teams are instructed to:

Assess the weight, size, and stability of each item before lifting.

Use correct lifting techniques, working in pairs or teams for heavy or awkward loads.

Use handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and ramps whenever appropriate.

Refuse to lift items that are too heavy, unstable, or unsafe to move without adjustments or extra support.

Where possible, items are dismantled into manageable sections to reduce the strain of lifting and reduce the risk of damage to property.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

All vehicles used by Man With a Van Shepherds Bush must be roadworthy, properly maintained, and suitable for the type of load being transported. This includes regular checks of brakes, tyres, lights, mirrors, and securing points within the loading area.

Drivers are expected to follow all road traffic laws and drive in a manner that is safe, courteous, and appropriate to the conditions. Overloading vehicles, unsafe stacking of goods, or driving while fatigued is not permitted.

Loads must be securely restrained to prevent movement during transit. Fragile or high-value items are given additional protection and careful placement to reduce the risk of damage.

Customer and Public Safety

We take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of customers, neighbours, and the general public while carrying out removals and deliveries. This includes managing access routes, using caution when moving large items, and avoiding obstruction of pathways and public spaces wherever possible.

Where necessary, we will temporarily restrict access to certain areas while heavy items are being moved to prevent accidental contact or injury. Customers are asked to keep children and pets away from working areas during loading and unloading.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide appropriate tools and equipment to support safe moving and handling, including trolleys, blankets, straps, ramps, and protective covers. All equipment must be checked regularly, and any defective items removed from use until repaired or replaced.

Where the nature of the work requires it, staff will be issued with personal protective equipment such as safety footwear and gloves. It is the responsibility of each team member to use this equipment correctly and to report any defects.

Housekeeping and Property Protection

Good housekeeping is essential to safe working during removals. We aim to maintain clear walkways, keep trip hazards such as packing materials and tools under control, and organise loading and unloading areas to avoid congestion.

Protective materials such as floor coverings, corner protectors, and furniture wraps are used where appropriate to reduce the risk of damage and maintain a tidy, safe working environment.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, and significant near misses are recorded and, where necessary, investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Findings from investigations may lead to updates in training, procedures, or equipment.

Employees are encouraged to report all incidents, however minor they may appear, so we can learn from them and continuously improve our health and safety performance.

Training and Continuous Improvement

We provide ongoing health and safety training relevant to the roles and tasks carried out within the company. This includes induction training for new staff and periodic refresher training for existing team members.

Our Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever changes in legislation, operations, or best practice occur. Man With a Van Shepherds Bush is committed to continually improving our health and safety standards to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable removals and transport services for all customers.