Man with Van Surrey Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Surrey 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 transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks and continually improve safety performance across our operations.
Policy Aims and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage, and environmental harm arising from our activities. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures. Health and safety responsibilities are an integral part of our removal services, from planning and packing to loading, transport, and delivery.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Man with Van Surrey will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and industry guidance applicable to removal and transport services. We regularly review our procedures to reflect any changes in legal requirements or accepted best practice within the removals sector.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and ensuring that adequate resources are provided for its effective operation. This includes planning work safely, providing suitable equipment, monitoring performance, and promoting a positive safety culture throughout the company.
Managers and supervisors will ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with safe systems of work, that staff receive appropriate training and instruction, and that accidents, incidents, and near-misses are reported, investigated, and used to improve future performance.
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. Staff must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, and cooperate fully with any measures put in place to protect health and safety.
Employees are required to report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents, injuries, and near-misses promptly, so that appropriate action can be taken. No employee will be disadvantaged for raising genuine health and safety concerns.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before starting removal work, suitable and sufficient risk assessments will be carried out to identify significant hazards, such as manual handling, working in confined spaces, vehicle operations, the presence of fragile items, or access issues at properties. Based on these assessments, we develop safe systems of work to control identified risks.
Where necessary, site-specific assessments will be undertaken to address particular conditions at customer premises, including stairways, narrow access routes, parking and loading arrangements, and the presence of vulnerable persons or pets.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key element of removal work. To minimise the risk of injury, our staff are trained in correct lifting and carrying techniques and the safe use of handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, and straps. Wherever possible, we plan work to reduce the need for excessive lifting, twisting, or carrying over long distances.
Heavy or awkward items will be handled by sufficient numbers of trained staff and, where appropriate, using mechanical assistance. Employees must not attempt to lift loads that are beyond their individual capabilities and are encouraged to ask for assistance whenever needed.
Vehicles, Driving, and Transport Safety
Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular inspections and servicing. Drivers must hold the appropriate licences, follow road traffic laws, and adhere to company policies on safe driving, including journey planning, rest breaks, and speed limits.
Loads must be securely packed and restrained to prevent movement during transit. Drivers are responsible for checking that doors, ramps, and securing systems are correctly used and that vehicles are not overloaded. Reversing and manoeuvring will be carried out with care, and assistance will be sought where visibility is restricted.
Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
All tools and equipment used during removal work will be suitable for their intended purpose and maintained in good condition. Employees will receive training in the safe use of any specialised equipment, and defective items will be taken out of service until repaired or replaced.
Where required by risk assessment, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, or high-visibility garments will be provided and must be used as instructed. Staff are responsible for taking reasonable care of issued equipment and reporting any loss or damage.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We recognise our duty to protect customers, visitors, and members of the public from risks associated with our activities at or near their premises. Access routes will be kept as clear as reasonably practicable, trip hazards will be minimised, and warning will be given to occupants where temporary obstructions or risks cannot be fully eliminated.
Particular care will be taken when working in shared spaces, communal areas, and on public footpaths or roads, including the use of cones, signage, or other control measures where appropriate.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Man with Van Surrey is committed to providing employees with the information, instruction, and training necessary to carry out their work safely. This includes induction training for new staff, refresher training as required, and specific training on manual handling, vehicle safety, and the use of lifting and handling equipment.
Supervision will be provided to ensure that safe systems of work are followed, particularly for new and less experienced employees. Health and safety information is communicated clearly to all relevant parties.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, injuries, near-misses, and cases of work-related ill health must be reported in line with company procedures. Incidents will be investigated to identify root causes and to recommend measures to prevent recurrence.
We review our Health and Safety Policy and associated procedures regularly to ensure they remain effective and suitable for our removal activities. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed as part of our commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety performance.
Policy Review and Commitment
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legislation, or organisational structure. Man with Van Surrey is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety and expects all employees and contractors to support and uphold the principles set out in this document.
