Man and a Van Brent Health and Safety Policy
Man and a Van Brent is committed to providing removal and transport services in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods, and operating vehicles and equipment.
We aim to maintain a safe working environment at all times, comply with relevant health and safety legislation and continually improve our standards through training, monitoring and review.
Policy Objectives
The objectives of this Health and Safety Policy are to:
Identify, assess and control risks related to removal and transport activities, including lifting, carrying, loading and driving. Provide our workers with the information, instruction, training and supervision they need to work safely. Ensure that all vehicles, tools and equipment used for removals are suitable, properly maintained and used correctly. Prevent accidents, injuries, ill health and damage to property. Encourage a positive health and safety culture where all staff take responsibility for their own safety and that of others.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Man and a Van Brent has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented and maintained. Management will:
Lead by example in promoting safe working practices during all removal and delivery operations. Ensure that appropriate risk assessments are carried out and kept up to date for tasks such as lifting and carrying heavy items, moving furniture through tight spaces and loading vehicles. Provide suitable equipment, including trolleys, straps, protective gloves and other items needed to move goods safely. Make sure that vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and kept in roadworthy condition. Ensure that staff receive initial and ongoing training in manual handling, vehicle safety, hazard awareness and emergency procedures. Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and take corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Review this policy on a regular basis and whenever there are significant changes in our work activities.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee and worker engaged by Man and a Van Brent has a duty to work safely and to cooperate with this policy. All staff must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided by the company. Use equipment, vehicles and protective items only for their intended purpose and report any defects immediately. Apply correct manual handling techniques when lifting, carrying or moving items, and seek assistance or equipment for heavy or awkward loads. Keep work areas, vehicles and loading points as tidy and free from obstructions as possible. Report accidents, injuries, unsafe conditions and near misses to management without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Man and a Van Brent identifies potential hazards associated with removal work and transport operations, and assesses the associated risks. We then implement practical control measures to reduce those risks to an acceptable level. Typical hazards include manual handling, slips and trips, falling objects, vehicle movements and working in confined or restricted spaces.
Safe systems of work are developed for key activities, including:
Planning and preparing for each job, taking into account access routes, parking, loading areas, item sizes and potential obstacles. Using safe lifting techniques and team lifts for heavy or bulky items. Securing loads properly in vehicles to prevent movement during transit. Operating vehicles safely in residential and commercial areas, with particular care for pedestrians and other road users. Choosing appropriate times and methods for work to minimise disruption and risk.
Manual Handling
Manual handling is a core part of our removals service and receives particular attention. To manage manual handling risks, Man and a Van Brent will:
Provide training on safe lifting, carrying and team handling techniques. Encourage staff to assess each load before lifting and to refuse unsafe lifts. Provide suitable handling aids such as sack trucks and furniture dollies where required. Plan jobs to reduce unnecessary carrying distances and awkward movements. Promote the use of two-person lifts for large or awkward items.
Vehicles and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are central to our work and must be operated safely at all times. Man and a Van Brent will:
Ensure that drivers are competent, appropriately licensed and familiar with the vehicles they operate. Carry out regular checks and maintenance on vehicles to keep them in safe condition. Require drivers to observe speed limits, parking regulations and other road rules. Ensure that loads are evenly distributed and secured to prevent shifting and to maintain vehicle stability. Discourage the use of mobile phones while driving, other than through legally compliant hands-free systems where necessary.
Customer and Public Safety
During removal and delivery work, we take care to protect customers, neighbours and members of the public. This includes:
Planning access routes to reduce the need to carry items through crowded or restricted spaces. Using warning signs or verbal warnings where work may affect others, such as when moving large items through communal areas. Positioning vehicles safely to avoid blocking access, driveways or emergency exits where possible. Handling customer property with care to avoid damage to items, buildings and surroundings.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man and a Van Brent provides appropriate training to ensure that staff understand the hazards associated with removal work and how to control them. Training covers topics such as manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, personal protective equipment and emergency procedures.
New staff receive induction training before starting work, and ongoing instruction is provided when there are changes in procedures, equipment or work locations. Supervisors monitor working practices and provide guidance and feedback to maintain safe standards.
Monitoring, Reporting and Review
This Health and Safety Policy is monitored to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our operations. Accident and incident reports are reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Staff feedback is encouraged and considered when updating procedures.
The policy is reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance or the nature of the services offered by Man and a Van Brent.
By working together and following this policy, we aim to deliver a reliable removals service while safeguarding the health and safety of everyone involved.
