Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Chiswick Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Chiswick is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, including loading, transporting and unloading items of all sizes.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing appropriate controls. We aim to integrate health and safety into all planning and decision-making processes and to ensure that our moving and transport services are carried out as safely as reasonably practicable.

This policy applies to all staff engaged by Man With a Van Chiswick, including drivers, porters and temporary workers, as well as contractors and partners working on our behalf.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for providing clear leadership on health and safety and for ensuring that appropriate resources are in place to manage risk. This includes:

Ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards for removal and transport activities.

Carrying out and reviewing risk assessments for typical moving tasks, such as lifting and carrying, vehicle loading, working at height where required, and operating in shared spaces.

Providing suitable equipment and vehicles that are properly maintained, inspected and safe to use.

Ensuring that employees receive appropriate training, information and instruction, including manual handling techniques, use of equipment and awareness of site-specific hazards.

Investigating any accidents, incidents or near misses to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees of Man With a Van Chiswick are required to:

Follow all safety procedures, training and instructions provided.

Use vehicles, tools, lifting aids and protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.

Adopt safe manual handling practices at all times and request assistance or mechanical aids when loads are heavy, awkward or unstable.

Maintain good housekeeping in vehicles and at work locations to reduce slips, trips and falls.

Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions or health and safety concerns to management without delay.

Refrain from working while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair judgement or performance.

Safe Working Practices for Removal Services

Due to the nature of our removal work, we implement specific controls to reduce risk at each stage of a move:

Before a move, we consider access routes, parking arrangements, stairways, lifts, doorways, and any potential obstacles or hazards. Where necessary, we agree safe loading and unloading areas to minimise risks to staff, customers and the public.

Our teams are instructed in safe lifting methods and encouraged to break down loads into manageable units wherever possible. We use equipment such as trolleys, dollies and straps to reduce manual handling and to protect both people and property.

Vehicles are loaded to ensure weight is evenly distributed, loads are secured, and doors can be opened safely on arrival. Only trained staff are allowed in vehicle load areas during loading and securing processes.

During transport, drivers follow road safety rules and adjust driving style to reflect vehicle load, weather and traffic conditions. Rest breaks are planned to avoid fatigue and maintain concentration behind the wheel.

At property locations, staff are instructed to communicate clearly with customers and colleagues, to establish safe routes, and to avoid blocking fire exits or emergency access routes.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to safeguard customers, visitors and members of the public who may be close to our working areas or vehicles. To achieve this, we:

Plan loading and unloading operations to minimise obstruction to pavements, entrances and shared access routes.

Use clear verbal communication and, where appropriate, visual cues or temporary barriers to keep non-staff away from moving loads and vehicle ramps.

Take care to protect customer property and common areas from damage that might create hazards, such as broken glass, sharp edges or unstable stacks of items.

Request that children and pets are kept away from active work areas and vehicle loading zones during the move.

Vehicles, Equipment and Maintenance

Man With a Van Chiswick is committed to maintaining vehicles and equipment in a safe condition. We:

Carry out regular checks and servicing of vans and associated equipment in line with manufacturer recommendations and industry good practice.

Inspect lifting aids, straps, ramps and protective materials for signs of wear or damage and remove defective items from use immediately.

Ensure that all safety devices, such as lights, mirrors and reversing aids, are functioning and that vehicle loads remain within legal weight limits.

Training, Communication and Consultation

We provide appropriate induction and ongoing training to help staff work safely and understand their responsibilities. This includes manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety and awareness of common on-site risks.

We encourage open communication about health and safety matters and consult with staff when introducing new equipment, procedures or working methods. Feedback is welcomed and used to improve our practices.

Monitoring and Review

This Health and Safety policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and reviewed periodically to ensure it remains effective and relevant to the nature and scale of our removal operations. Changes in legislation, industry guidance, or the way we deliver our services may result in the policy being updated.

All employees are made aware of this policy and are expected to cooperate fully in its implementation, helping to maintain a safe and professional service for every customer we serve.