Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Finsbury health and safety policy

Man with Van Finsbury is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with our removal and transport activities, including domestic and commercial moves, packing, loading, unloading and related services.

Policy aims and scope

The aim of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and disruption to our clients. It applies to all staff, whether permanent, temporary or agency, and to any contractors working on our behalf. It also applies to all locations where we operate, including residential properties, offices, commercial premises, storage facilities and public spaces used during removals and deliveries.

Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver our man and van and removal services. We expect everyone representing the company to follow this policy and all associated procedures at all times.

Management responsibilities

Company management has overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Finsbury. This includes:

Ensuring that appropriate resources are provided to implement this policy, including equipment, training and supervision.

Carrying out and regularly reviewing risk assessments for all key activities, such as lifting and carrying, working in and around vehicles, operating in confined or shared spaces and handling customer goods.

Maintaining safe systems of work, with clear instructions and procedures that are practical and understood by staff.

Providing suitable work equipment and ensuring that vehicles, loading aids and protective equipment are maintained in safe working order.

Monitoring compliance with health and safety requirements and taking action where standards are not met.

Keeping this policy under review and updating it to reflect changes in legislation, best practice or the nature of our services.

Employee responsibilities

All employees and contractors working on behalf of Man with Van Finsbury have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes:

Following company procedures, method statements and instructions given by supervisors or managers.

Using equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly and reporting any defects or concerns immediately.

Using correct manual handling techniques and requesting assistance or mechanical aids when needed.

Maintaining good housekeeping in vehicles and work areas to avoid slips, trips or falls.

Reporting all accidents, near misses, injuries and hazardous situations as soon as possible so that they can be investigated and addressed.

Not working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair judgement or performance.

Risk assessment and safe working practices

We will assess the risks associated with our removal and transport activities and will implement control measures to manage those risks. Typical control measures include:

Planning access routes in advance, assessing parking, loading points, stairs, lifts and any restricted spaces at customer locations.

Using trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling equipment to reduce the need for manual lifting where possible.

Establishing safe limits for weight and size of items to be carried manually and ensuring team lifting for heavier or awkward items.

Securing loads safely in vehicles to prevent movement during transit and to protect both staff and customer belongings.

Taking particular care when working in shared or public areas, ensuring that routes are kept clear and that others are warned about potential hazards.

Stopping work when conditions are unsafe, such as severe weather, blocked access routes or structural risks within a property.

Manual handling and lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our operations and a significant source of potential injury. To manage this risk we will:

Provide manual handling training so staff understand correct lifting techniques and the importance of assessing each lift before starting.

Encourage team lifting for heavy or bulky items and ensure communication between team members during these tasks.

Limit repetitive or excessive lifting wherever practicable and rotate tasks to reduce strain.

Use aids such as sack trucks, furniture dollies, blankets and straps to support safe handling.

Advise customers where items are excessively heavy or unsafe to move and agree suitable solutions before work proceeds.

Vehicle and driving safety

Our vehicles are central to our services and will be operated safely at all times. We will:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and kept roadworthy.

Require drivers to hold the appropriate licence and to obey road traffic laws, speed limits and parking restrictions.

Plan routes to minimise risks associated with congestion, restricted roads and loading restrictions, while respecting local traffic and parking rules.

Ensure that loads are evenly distributed, secured and checked before departure.

Discourage the use of mobile phones while driving, other than lawful hands free arrangements where essential.

Protection of customers and the public

During removals or deliveries we may be working in or near shared spaces, pavements, corridors and communal entrances. We will:

Place equipment and items so that routes remain as clear as possible.

Warn customers and others nearby when moving large or heavy items, particularly on stairs or through narrow doorways.

Take care to prevent damage to property, fixtures and fittings and to isolate any hazards we create as part of our work.

Supervise loading and unloading areas to prevent unauthorised access to vehicles or equipment.

Training, consultation and communication

We are committed to providing our staff with the knowledge and skills needed to work safely. This includes:

Induction training for new starters, covering key health and safety procedures and expectations.

Task specific training, for example manual handling, use of handling equipment and vehicle safety.

Refresher training as needed, particularly following changes to procedures or after incidents.

Encouraging staff to raise health and safety concerns and suggestions for improvement, and taking these seriously.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement

We will monitor our health and safety performance by reviewing incident reports, customer feedback and internal checks on working practices. Where issues are identified, we will investigate the causes and implement corrective actions.

This health and safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our operations, legal requirements or best practice in the removals and transport sector.

By working together and following this policy, Man with Van Finsbury aims to ensure that every move is carried out as safely and efficiently as possible, protecting our staff, our customers and the wider community.