Health and Safety policy
Man with Van Wallington Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy explains how Man with Van Wallington manages safety for customers, employees, subcontractors and members of the public during all removal and transport activities. Our aim is to prevent injury, protect property and minimise risk in every service we provide.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
Man with Van Wallington is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety performance. We recognise that professional moving and delivery work involves manual handling, driving, loading, unloading and working in a range of residential and commercial environments. We actively manage these risks so that our services are carried out safely, efficiently and responsibly.
We comply with applicable health and safety legislation and relevant guidance for removal and transport activities. We review this policy regularly and update our practices when laws, regulations or industry standards change.
Roles and Responsibilities
Health and safety is a shared responsibility across the company. Everyone involved in our services must take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions.
Management is responsible for providing safe systems of work, suitable equipment, information and guidance. They ensure that our staff are competent to carry out their tasks, that risks are assessed and controlled, and that incidents are investigated so lessons can be learned.
Employees and regular contractors must follow all safety instructions, attend any required briefings, use equipment correctly and report hazards or incidents immediately. They must not undertake work for which they are not trained or that they consider unsafe.
Customers also have a role in safety. We ask clients to inform us in advance of any special access issues, restrictions or known hazards at the property so that suitable arrangements can be made.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before carrying out removal or transport work, we assess the risks associated with the job. This includes the weight and size of items, access routes, stairs and lifts, parking and loading areas, and any other site specific conditions.
Where necessary, we adjust the number of staff, equipment used and the sequence of work to control risk. Our crews are instructed to stop and seek further guidance if they encounter unexpected hazards or conditions that make work unsafe.
We maintain clear procedures for tasks such as loading, unloading, moving heavy or awkward items, securing loads in vehicles and working in shared or public spaces. These procedures are reviewed and updated as required.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and a key focus of this policy. Staff are instructed in safe lifting techniques and team handling methods to reduce the risk of strains, sprains and other injuries.
Where practical, we use handling equipment such as trolleys or dollies for heavy or bulky items. Loads are assessed for weight, stability, shape and route before moving. Staff are expected to refuse unsafe lifts and request assistance or alternative methods where needed.
We plan moves to avoid unnecessary carrying distances, awkward turns and handling on uneven or slippery surfaces as far as reasonably practicable.
Driving and Vehicle Safety
Safe driving is essential to our operations. Only competent and authorised drivers operate our vehicles. They must comply with road traffic laws, drive within speed limits, and adapt driving style to weather, traffic and road conditions.
Vehicles are loaded so that weight is distributed correctly and items are properly secured to prevent movement during transit. Drivers carry out basic checks of their vehicles and report defects so that maintenance can be arranged.
No driver or crew member may work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that impairs safe performance. The use of mobile devices while driving is restricted to hands free operation in line with legal requirements.
Use and Maintenance of Equipment
Any equipment used for moving, lifting or securing loads must be suitable for its intended purpose and in safe working condition. We inspect and maintain our equipment regularly and remove damaged or defective items from service.
Staff receive guidance on the correct use of equipment and must not modify tools or use them for tasks for which they were not designed. Where specialist equipment is required, only trained personnel are allowed to operate it.
Housekeeping and Site Safety
Good housekeeping reduces slips, trips and falls. Our crews keep work areas as tidy as possible, especially on stairs, corridors and entrances. Packing materials, tools and personal items are stored safely to keep routes clear.
We take care to protect customers premises during moves, including the use of coverings where appropriate. Items are stacked securely so that they do not topple or block exits. We pay particular attention to shared access areas where other people may be present.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, damage incidents and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to respond, investigate and take steps to avoid similar incidents in future.
Our crews are briefed on basic emergency procedures including fire evacuation, dealing with injuries, and contacting emergency services where required. In an emergency, the safety of people always takes priority over property or schedules.
Health, Welfare and Training
We recognise the importance of physical and mental wellbeing in maintaining safe working standards. Work is organised to avoid unreasonable time pressures as far as practical, and rest breaks are encouraged, especially during demanding jobs or in extreme weather conditions.
We provide information, guidance and refresher instruction on key health and safety topics relevant to removal work, such as manual handling, vehicle safety, hazard awareness and incident reporting.
We encourage staff to raise safety concerns, suggest improvements and participate in developing safer ways of working. No one will be penalised for refusing to carry out work they reasonably believe to be unsafe.
Continuous Improvement
Man with Van Wallington is committed to ongoing improvement in health and safety performance. We review this policy periodically, consider customer feedback, monitor incidents and adjust our procedures as necessary.
By working together with our customers, staff and partners, we aim to deliver removal and transport services that are not only efficient and professional, but also consistently safe for everyone involved.
