Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Tottenham Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Tottenham is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our responsibilities, standards, and procedures for maintaining safety throughout our moving and delivery services.

Policy Aim and Scope

The aim of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property during the planning and delivery of removal, transport, loading, unloading, and related services. It applies to all employees and contractors working on behalf of Man with Van Tottenham and covers all work locations, including customer premises, public areas, and vehicles used for our operations.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Tottenham accepts overall responsibility for ensuring that effective arrangements are in place for managing health and safety. This includes providing adequate resources, information, instruction, training, and supervision to enable staff to carry out their work safely and competently.

We will regularly review this policy and our procedures to ensure they remain suitable and effective for the type of removal and transport work we perform, making improvements where necessary.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and contractor has 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. All team members are required to:

Follow company safety procedures and instructions provided by management and supervisors.

Use equipment, vehicles, and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately.

Cooperate with risk assessments, training, and safe systems of work.

Report incidents, near misses, hazards, or concerns without delay so that appropriate action can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man with Van Tottenham will identify and assess the risks associated with our activities, with particular focus on manual handling, vehicle movements, working in and around customer properties, and handling of customer belongings. Risk assessments will be used to develop safe working practices, which may include:

Planning routes and access points to minimise risks during loading and unloading.

Assessing stairways, corridors, entrances, and outdoor areas at collection and delivery addresses.

Using appropriate lifting and handling techniques, equipment, and team resources for heavy or bulky items.

Adjusting work methods where risks are identified, such as narrow passages, poor lighting, or uneven surfaces.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant part of removal and transport work and will be carefully controlled. We will:

Provide training on safe lifting, carrying, and team handling techniques.

Encourage staff to assess each lift, considering weight, size, and route before moving any item.

Use appropriate moving equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and blankets where suitable.

Discourage unsafe practices, including lifting loads that are too heavy for the individual or attempting awkward manoeuvres in restricted spaces.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

We recognise that road safety is an essential part of our health and safety responsibilities. Man with Van Tottenham will ensure that vehicles used for our services are:

Regularly inspected, maintained, and kept in a roadworthy condition.

Loaded safely and within legal weight limits, with loads secured to prevent shifting during transit.

Operated by competent drivers who follow traffic laws and drive in a manner that protects passengers, other road users, and pedestrians.

Used in a way that takes into account weather conditions, traffic, and access restrictions around collection and delivery addresses.

Customer and Public Safety

Our teams will take practical steps to protect customers and members of the public during removal operations. This includes:

Maintaining clear walkways and avoiding unnecessary obstructions in entrances, corridors, and external paths.

Using safe lifting and carrying routes to reduce the risk of collisions or trips.

Communicating clearly with customers about any temporary risks, such as open vehicle doors, ramps, or stacked items.

Treating customer property with care and working to prevent damage or unsafe stacking of items.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We will provide staff with appropriate health and safety training relevant to their roles, including induction training for new starters and refresher training where necessary. Topics may include manual handling, vehicle safety, safe loading and unloading techniques, and working safely in customer premises.

Supervisors will monitor working practices to ensure compliance with this policy and will provide guidance and correction where needed. Staff will be briefed on any specific risks associated with particular jobs or locations and on any additional controls required.

Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents, and near misses that occur during our work must be reported as soon as possible to management. Man with Van Tottenham will investigate such events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Records of accidents and incidents will be maintained and reviewed periodically to identify trends and areas for improvement in our health and safety arrangements.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Man with Van Tottenham values input from employees, contractors, and customers on health and safety matters. We encourage feedback and suggestions for improving our practices. Where appropriate, we will consult with staff on changes to procedures or introduction of new equipment and will respond to concerns in a timely manner.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in our operations, relevant regulations, and industry good practice. We are committed to continuously improving our approach to safety, ensuring that our removal and transport services are carried out with minimal risk to everyone involved.

Policy Review and Availability

This policy is approved by the management of Man with Van Tottenham and is made available to all employees, contractors, and customers on request. It will be reviewed at regular intervals, or sooner if significant changes occur in our operations, to ensure it remains current, effective, and aligned with the safe delivery of our moving and transport services.