Man with Van Cheam Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Cheam is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure environment for our customers, staff and any third parties who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy explains our approach to managing risks during moves, collections and deliveries, and how we work to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice. Our aim is to conduct all work in a way that minimises the risk of accidents, incidents and near misses. We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and to integrating safety into everyday planning for local and longer-distance removals.

All staff, whether permanent, temporary or subcontracted, are expected to cooperate with this policy and to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions at work.

Responsibilities and Management

Management is responsible for implementing this policy, assessing risks and providing suitable resources to maintain health and safety standards. This includes ensuring that working practices are reviewed regularly, that appropriate equipment is available and maintained, and that staff receive suitable instruction and supervision.

Each team member is responsible for following safe working procedures, using equipment correctly and immediately reporting any hazards, defects, accidents or near misses. We actively encourage staff to raise safety concerns so that potential issues can be addressed before they result in harm.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedures

Risk assessments are carried out for our key activities, including household and office removals, loading and unloading vehicles, transporting goods and working at customer locations. These risk assessments inform our safe working procedures and are reviewed periodically or after any significant change in operations.

Typical considerations include manual handling, trip and slip hazards, vehicle movements, working in confined spaces such as stairwells, and the handling of fragile, heavy or awkward items. Where a task is considered to present an unacceptable level of risk, work will be stopped until a safer method can be put in place.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Moving items is central to our work, so we place particular emphasis on manual handling safety. Staff are trained to lift and carry loads safely, use correct posture, and work in teams when items are heavy or bulky. Wherever reasonably practicable, we use trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling aids to reduce the strain on individuals and minimise the risk of back injury or other musculoskeletal disorders.

We plan each move to consider access routes, stairs, doorways and potential obstacles so that heavy lifting and carrying can be reduced as far as possible. If an item is too heavy or dangerous to move safely, alternative arrangements may be required or the item may be declined for transport.

Vehicles, Driving and Loading

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular checks carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, securing points and loading equipment. Drivers must hold appropriate licences and follow all road safety rules and company guidelines.

Loading and unloading are performed carefully to prevent falls, crush injuries and damage to property. Loads are distributed evenly, secured with suitable restraints and checked before departure. Drivers must not move vehicles while loading or unloading is in progress unless it is safe to do so and everyone nearby is aware.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer homes, offices or other premises, we take care to protect people and property. This includes keeping access routes as clear as possible, using protective coverings where appropriate and taking steps to avoid damage to floors, walls and fixtures.

Where work takes place in communal areas or on public pavements, we aim to minimise obstruction and use caution when moving items through shared spaces. Staff should remain aware of members of the public, including children and vulnerable people, and adjust working methods to ensure their safety.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

Any tools, lifting aids or other equipment used during removals are inspected regularly and used only for their intended purpose. Defective or unsafe equipment is taken out of service immediately and reported for repair or replacement.

Personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear and gloves, is provided where necessary and must be worn in accordance with instructions. Staff are responsible for taking reasonable care of their equipment and reporting any loss or damage.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide our team with information and instruction relevant to their roles, including induction training for new starters and refresher training where appropriate. This may cover manual handling techniques, vehicle safety, correct use of equipment and emergency procedures.

Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure that health and safety standards are followed and to provide guidance or correction where needed. Lessons learned from incidents or near misses are shared within the team so that improvements can be made.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly so that they can be investigated. We record relevant details, identify root causes and implement corrective actions to help prevent recurrence.

Staff are briefed on what to do in an emergency, including how to respond to injuries, fire, road incidents and other unexpected events. Where necessary, emergency services will be contacted without delay and we will cooperate with any official investigations.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and expect staff to present themselves fit for duty. No one may work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any other substance that could impair judgement, coordination or reaction times.

Where team members have health conditions that might affect their work, they are encouraged to inform management so that reasonable adjustments can be considered. We aim to promote a culture where staff feel able to raise concerns about their own wellbeing and that of colleagues.

Review and Policy Updates

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains current, effective and aligned with our operational practices as a removal company. Changes in legislation, guidance or the nature of our services may lead to updates. Any significant revisions will be communicated to staff so that they are aware of their responsibilities and the procedures that apply to their work.

By working together and following this policy, Man with Van Cheam seeks to provide a professional, reliable and safe service for all customers and communities we serve.