Man with Van Wealdstone Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Wealdstone is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, contractors, and the general public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and practices that guide our work during removals, collections, deliveries, and related transport services.
Purpose and Scope
This policy applies to all activities carried out by Man with Van Wealdstone, including domestic and commercial moves, furniture transport, loading and unloading, packing and unpacking, and short-distance or longer-distance journeys. It covers all members of staff, regular subcontractors, and any person who may be affected by our operations at collection and delivery addresses, in vehicles, and at any temporary storage points.
Our Health and Safety Commitments
We are committed to preventing accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health. To achieve this, we will continuously assess the risks associated with our removal services and implement robust control measures. Our objectives include minimising manual handling injuries, reducing the risk of slips, trips and falls, ensuring vehicles are operated safely, and protecting customers property and our team from avoidable harm.
Health and safety considerations are an integral part of how we plan and deliver every move. We aim to provide a professional, reliable service while maintaining high safety standards throughout Wealdstone and the surrounding areas.
Roles and Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the management of Man with Van Wealdstone. Management ensures that appropriate resources, information, and training are provided so that this policy can be implemented effectively during all jobs.
Each driver, porter, and team member has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must follow safe working procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards promptly, and cooperate with management in all health and safety matters.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before starting work at any property or site, our team evaluates access routes, parking arrangements, stairways, lifts, and any site-specific hazards. Where necessary, we adapt our working methods to reduce risks, which may include using additional staff, mechanical aids, or revised handling techniques.
We carry out ongoing reviews of our activities to identify new or changing risks. Safe systems of work are developed for typical removal tasks such as carrying large furniture items, moving appliances, manoeuvring in confined spaces, and handling fragile or heavy goods. These systems are reviewed periodically and after any incident or near miss.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of our removal services and is managed carefully to prevent strain, sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries. All staff are instructed in correct lifting techniques, team lifting procedures, and the use of appropriate handling equipment.
Where possible, heavy or awkward items are dismantled before movement to reduce weight and improve manoeuvrability. Trolleys, dollies, and other aids are used where suitable. Staff are expected to assess the weight and stability of items before lifting and to ask for assistance whenever required.
Vehicle Safety and Loading
All vehicles used by Man with Van Wealdstone must be roadworthy, appropriately insured, and maintained according to a regular schedule. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic pre-use checks and reporting any defects or concerns immediately so that they can be addressed without delay.
Loads are secured safely to prevent movement during transit. This includes using straps, blankets, and suitable packing techniques to protect both people and property. Particular care is taken when loading heavy or top-heavy items to maintain vehicle balance and to ensure safe opening of doors upon arrival.
Site Safety and Customer Premises
Our teams are instructed to work carefully in and around customer premises to avoid causing hazards. We aim to maintain clear walkways, manage trailing straps or packing materials, and keep access routes free of obstructions as far as reasonably practicable.
Where access involves steps, steep driveways, narrow hallways, or shared entrances, staff take additional care to minimise risks to residents, visitors, and passers-by. Customers are encouraged to keep children and pets away from active working areas while loading and unloading are in progress.
Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
Any equipment used in connection with our removal activities must be suitable for its purpose and maintained in a safe condition. Staff using trolleys, lifting straps, or other tools must be competent and follow the manufacturer guidance and our internal instructions.
Where the nature of the work requires it, appropriate personal protective equipment may be used, such as protective gloves or safety footwear. Staff are responsible for using issued equipment correctly and reporting any damage or loss so it can be replaced or repaired.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man with Van Wealdstone provides staff with information and guidance on safe working methods relevant to their roles. New team members receive induction on key safety procedures, including manual handling, vehicle safety, and behaviour at customer locations.
Ongoing supervision, monitoring, and feedback are used to ensure that safe practices are followed consistently. Where required, additional training is provided to address specific risks or changes in our services.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, and safety concerns must be reported promptly to management. This enables us to investigate the circumstances, put corrective measures in place, and prevent recurrence. Records of incidents are reviewed to identify patterns and improve our safety performance.
Our teams are made aware of basic emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of an injury, fire, road collision, or other unexpected event. Drivers must follow relevant legal requirements in the event of road incidents and cooperate with any investigations.
Health, Wellbeing and Fitness for Work
We recognise that the work carried out in the removals sector can be physically demanding. Staff are encouraged to maintain good personal health, to warm up before heavy tasks, and to report any health conditions that may affect their ability to carry out manual work or drive safely.
No staff member should report for duty under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that may impair judgment or performance. Any prescribed medication that could affect driving or manual handling must be declared to management so that duties can be adjusted if necessary.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Man with Van Wealdstone is committed to continual improvement in health and safety management. We review this policy periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, working methods, or applicable guidance.
Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed, as it helps us refine our procedures and maintain high standards of safety across all our moving and transport services in and around Wealdstone.
This Health and Safety Policy is communicated to all staff and is available to customers who wish to understand the measures we take to carry out removals in a safe and responsible manner.
