Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Aldwych Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Aldwych is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, unloading, transporting, and delivering items as part of our man and van and removal services.

Our objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, comply with applicable health and safety legislation, and continually improve our safety performance through training, planning, and regular review.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Aldwych is responsible for ensuring that health and safety considerations are integrated into all aspects of our operations. This includes providing appropriate resources, information, training, and supervision to support safe working practices. We will identify significant hazards associated with removal work, assess associated risks, and implement effective control measures to eliminate or minimise those risks as far as reasonably practicable.

We will periodically review this Health and Safety Policy and our procedures to ensure they remain suitable, effective, and aligned with current legislation and best practice within the removal and transport sector.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors 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. They are required to follow all safety instructions, use equipment correctly, and cooperate fully with management in implementing this policy.

Team members must report any hazards, near misses, accidents, damage, or unsafe conditions encountered during removal jobs or while travelling between locations. Employees must not misuse or interfere with any equipment or safety measures provided for their protection or the protection of others.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before commencing any removal or transportation task, Man with Van Aldwych will consider the nature of the items to be moved, the layout of the property, access routes, parking arrangements, and any specific customer requirements. Where appropriate, a risk assessment will be completed to identify potential hazards, such as manual handling risks, trip hazards, confined spaces, staircases, heavy or awkward loads, and environmental conditions.

Control measures may include using additional manpower, employing trolleys or other handling aids, planning safe routes, protecting floors or surfaces, and scheduling work to avoid unnecessary congestion. For larger or more complex removals, a more detailed plan may be prepared to coordinate safe loading, transport, and delivery.

Safe Manual Handling

Manual handling is a key aspect of removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Staff will be instructed in safe lifting techniques, including maintaining good posture, keeping loads close to the body, and avoiding twisting while carrying items. Wherever reasonably practicable, handling equipment such as dollies, sack trucks, and lifting straps will be used to reduce strain and effort.

Heavy or bulky items will be assessed before movement, and team lifting will be used where necessary. If an item is assessed as unsafe to move with available resources or equipment, work will be paused and further arrangements will be made rather than exposing staff to undue risk.

Vehicle Safety and Loading

Man with Van Aldwych is committed to ensuring that all vehicles used in our services are maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition. Regular checks will be carried out on brakes, tyres, lights, securing points, and other critical components. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, be medically fit to drive, and comply with road traffic laws at all times.

Loading and unloading of vehicles will be carried out in a controlled manner to avoid injury and damage. Loads will be distributed evenly, secured to prevent movement in transit, and stacked to avoid collapse. Staff will take care to protect both customer property and their own safety during these processes.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

During operations at customer premises or in public areas, Man with Van Aldwych will take steps to minimise risks to customers, visitors, neighbours, and members of the public. This includes maintaining clear walkways, using safe parking locations, and avoiding obstruction of emergency exits or access routes.

Where necessary, warning signs, verbal communication, or temporary barriers may be used to alert others to moving operations, especially when large items are being manoeuvred through shared spaces or near doorways, lifts, or stairwells.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Equipment used in the course of our removal and transport services will be selected, maintained, and inspected to ensure it is suitable and safe. This includes lifting aids, trolleys, ramps, and securing straps. Any defective or unsafe equipment will be taken out of service immediately and reported to management.

Personal protective equipment, such as protective footwear and gloves, will be provided where required by risk assessments. Employees are responsible for using this equipment correctly and reporting any damage or loss so that replacements can be arranged promptly.

Training and Communication

Man with Van Aldwych recognises that effective training and communication are essential to maintaining high standards of health and safety. Staff will receive induction training covering this policy, safe working practices, emergency procedures, and the correct use of manual handling techniques and equipment.

Ongoing training and refresher sessions may be provided when new risks are identified, new equipment is introduced, or when procedures change. Health and safety expectations will be communicated clearly, and employees are encouraged to raise concerns, suggestions, or questions about safety without fear of reprisal.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences during removal operations or travel must be reported promptly to management. Reports will be recorded, investigated, and used to identify underlying causes and implement corrective measures to prevent recurrence.

Emergency procedures, including response to fire, serious injury, vehicle collisions, and property damage, will be communicated to staff. Where an incident occurs at a customer site, our team will cooperate with the customer and, where applicable, emergency services to ensure safe and appropriate resolution.

Continuous Improvement

Man with Van Aldwych is committed to the continuous improvement of its health and safety performance. We will monitor our activities, review accident and incident data, and periodically assess the effectiveness of this policy and related procedures. Where improvements are identified, we will update our practices and share information with staff.

By working together, following safe systems of work, and maintaining open communication, Man with Van Aldwych aims to provide reliable, efficient, and safe removal and man and van services throughout our operating area.