Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Islington
Man and a Van Islington 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 and delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with household and commercial removals, loading and unloading, driving, lifting and handling goods.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment arising from our operations. We aim to identify, assess and control risks linked to removal and transport work, including manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle movements, working in and around residential and commercial premises and temporary storage of customers belongings.
Health and safety is an integral part of the way we plan and deliver our man and van services. We seek to continually improve our performance by reviewing our practices, learning from incidents and acting on feedback from staff and customers.
Responsibilities and Management
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management. They are responsible for ensuring that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy, that safe systems of work are developed and maintained, and that staff are trained and supervised appropriately.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for applying safe working practices on-site, communicating hazards, checking that staff use equipment correctly and reporting concerns. They must ensure that risk assessments and method statements are understood and followed during all removal and delivery jobs.
All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must cooperate with the company on health and safety matters, use equipment properly, follow instructions and report hazards, accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out risk assessments for key activities associated with our moving and transport services. This includes lifting and carrying furniture and boxes, handling bulky or fragile items, working in confined spaces such as stairwells, loading and unloading vehicles, securing loads, and operating in busy streets or shared areas.
Where significant risks are identified, we implement control measures such as the use of handling aids, team lifting, route planning, parking assessments, and clear communication with customers about access and potential hazards. Staff are briefed on job-specific risks and the agreed method of work before starting each assignment.
We review risk assessments periodically and after any incident, change in equipment, new type of work or significant alteration to our operating procedures. Lessons learned are incorporated into updated guidance and staff training.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a central part of removal work, and we take specific steps to control the risks of musculoskeletal injuries. Our staff receive instruction on safe lifting techniques, correct posture, team coordination, weight assessment and the importance of asking for assistance when required.
Where appropriate, we use mechanical aids such as trolleys and dollies to reduce manual strain. All equipment is inspected regularly for damage, defects or excessive wear, and any faulty equipment is removed from service until repaired or replaced. Staff are required to use equipment only for its intended purpose and in accordance with training.
Vehicles, Driving and Load Security
The safe operation of our vehicles is essential to protecting our staff, customers and other road users. Drivers must hold the appropriate licences and comply with traffic laws, speed limits and parking rules. They are responsible for completing basic pre-use checks on vehicles, reporting defects promptly and keeping interiors free from loose objects that may cause trips or distraction.
Loads must be arranged and secured to prevent movement, damage to property and risk to people. Heavy items are positioned low and evenly distributed, and fragile items are protected using suitable packing materials. Doors and tailgates must be properly closed and locked before departure.
Drivers are instructed to plan routes in advance where practical, considering access restrictions, one-way systems and safe stopping points near customers premises. They must avoid driving when fatigued or unfit and must follow company procedures in the event of a breakdown or road incident.
Customer Premises and Site Safety
Our teams regularly work inside homes, offices and shared buildings. On arrival, we assess access routes, staircases, corridors, lifts, entrances and loading areas to identify potential hazards such as poor lighting, slippery surfaces, obstructions or fragile fittings.
Where necessary, we request that customers clear access ways and keep pets, children and non-essential persons away from moving and lifting areas. Protective coverings may be used to reduce the risk of slips and to protect flooring where appropriate.
Our staff are instructed to work in a tidy and organised manner, keeping walkways as clear as possible and stacking items safely to avoid collapse or falling objects. We take care to minimise noise and disruption, especially in shared or residential premises.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide our staff with appropriate health and safety training relevant to their roles. This may include induction training, manual handling techniques, use of moving equipment, safe driving practices, load securing, working in customer premises and emergency procedures.
Training needs are reviewed periodically and when new equipment or procedures are introduced. Refresher training is provided as needed to maintain competence and reinforce safe behaviour. Supervisors monitor performance on-site and provide guidance and correction where required.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, injuries and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken. We keep records of such events and investigate them to identify root causes and implement corrective measures.
Staff are briefed on emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, vehicle accidents or damage to property. First aid provisions and emergency contact information are made available to staff during their work.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Staff are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safer working practices. Feedback from customers on safety-related issues is also welcomed and taken into account.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or relevant legislation. The updated policy is communicated to all employees and contractors to ensure that it remains understood, implemented and effective across our man and van removal services.
