Man With a Van Croydon Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Croydon is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, and welfare for our employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, deliveries, and related services, and applies to all activities undertaken by our business.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to provide a safe and healthy working environment and to ensure that our removal and transport services are carried out in a manner that minimises the risk of injury, ill health, property damage, or environmental impact. We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and are committed to complying with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man With a Van Croydon rests with the company management, who will ensure that adequate resources, information, training, and supervision are provided. Management is responsible for implementing this policy, reviewing its effectiveness, and promoting a positive safety culture.

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 follow all safety instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents promptly, and cooperate fully with health and safety procedures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We will identify, assess, and manage the risks associated with our removal and delivery operations. This includes, but is not limited to, risks arising from manual handling, driving and vehicle operations, working at height, loading and unloading, the use of equipment, and work carried out at customers premises.

Risk assessments will be carried out regularly and whenever there is a significant change in work activities, equipment, or locations. The findings of risk assessments will be used to develop safe systems of work and to implement appropriate control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our removal services. To minimise the risk of injury:

We will provide training on safe lifting techniques, correct posture, and the use of lifting aids such as trolleys, dollies, and straps. Employees must assess each lift before starting work, considering the weight, shape, stability of the item, and the route to be taken. Heavy or awkward items should be handled by more than one person or with suitable equipment, and loads must never exceed individual capabilities.

Where possible, the need for manual handling will be reduced by planning jobs carefully, preparing access routes, and using mechanical aids when available.

Vehicles, Driving, and Road Safety

Our vehicles are central to our service, and their safe operation is essential. All drivers must hold the appropriate valid licence and be medically fit to drive. Vehicles will be maintained in a roadworthy condition through regular checks, servicing, and inspections.

Drivers are required to carry out pre-use checks, report defects immediately, and not operate any vehicle they believe to be unsafe. Safe driving practices must be followed at all times, including adherence to speed limits, road traffic laws, and weather-related precautions. Fatigue management, route planning, and realistic scheduling will be used to reduce risks associated with long or demanding journeys.

Loading, Unloading, and Securing Goods

Loading and unloading activities will be planned and supervised to reduce risks to staff, customers, and the public. Items must be loaded evenly and secured appropriately using straps, blankets, and other protective materials to prevent movement during transit and to minimise damage.

Care must be taken where loading takes place on or near public roads, driveways, or shared access areas. Where necessary, traffic and pedestrian routes will be managed to prevent accidents, including the use of cones, clear communication, and staff acting as banksmen when reversing or manoeuvring vehicles in confined spaces.

Customer Premises and Site Safety

When working at customer premises or other sites, our staff will respect and follow any local safety rules and procedures. A brief dynamic risk assessment will be carried out on arrival to identify hazards such as uneven surfaces, narrow staircases, low ceilings, poor lighting, or the presence of other contractors.

Our team will take reasonable steps to protect flooring, walls, and fixtures, and will maintain clear access routes to minimise trips, slips, and falls. Where conditions are unsafe, work may be postponed or adjusted until appropriate control measures are in place.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We will provide our staff with appropriate health and safety training relevant to their roles, including induction training, manual handling, safe vehicle use, loading and unloading, and the use of personal protective equipment. Training will be refreshed periodically and whenever new risks, equipment, or procedures are introduced.

Employees will be given clear instructions and information on the tasks they are required to perform, and adequate supervision will be provided to ensure that safe working methods are followed.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, suitable personal protective equipment will be provided, which may include safety footwear, gloves, high-visibility clothing, and any other necessary items. Employees are required to use PPE as instructed, keep it in good condition, and report any defects or losses immediately.

Accident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, incidents, near misses, and cases of work-related ill health must be reported as soon as possible to management. We will maintain records of such events and investigate them to identify root causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Where necessary, incidents will be reported to the relevant enforcing authorities in accordance with legal requirements.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man With a Van Croydon is committed to continually improving health and safety performance. We will monitor our activities, review this policy regularly, and update it as required to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice, and the nature of our operations.

This Health and Safety Policy is communicated to all employees and is available to customers and other interested parties upon request.