Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man and Van Edgware

Man and Van Edgware is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. Our aim is to prevent accidents, work-related injury, and ill health, while maintaining high standards of service for local and regional removals.

Policy Statement and Objectives

The management of Man and Van Edgware accepts full responsibility for health and safety and will allocate appropriate resources to manage risks arising from our man and van and removal services. We will actively promote safe working practices, provide suitable equipment and training, and continuously review our performance.

Our key health and safety objectives are to:

Identify, assess, and control risks associated with transportation, loading, unloading, lifting, and handling of goods.

Provide clear instructions, information, and training to all workers involved in removal operations.

Maintain vehicles, tools, and equipment in safe working condition.

Promote a culture in which all workers and contractors take responsibility for their own safety and that of others.

Comply with applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice for removal and transport services.

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this policy, ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, that appropriate control measures are in place, and that employees understand and follow safe systems of work. Management will review the policy regularly and revise it when necessary in response to operational, legal, or best practice changes.

Employees and contractors must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow all instructions, procedures, and training provided by Man and Van Edgware, use equipment correctly, and report hazards, accidents, near misses, or unsafe conditions without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Man and Van Edgware will carry out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for our work, including domestic moves, office relocations, item collections, and deliveries. These assessments will consider manual handling, vehicle operations, working in and around client premises, and environmental factors such as access routes and weather conditions.

Safe systems of work will be developed from these assessments, covering lifting techniques, loading and unloading procedures, securing loads in vehicles, and the use of trolleys, straps, blankets, and other moving equipment. Staff are required to follow these procedures at all times.

Manual Handling and Lifting Operations

Manual handling is central to removal work and is a significant source of potential injury. Man and Van Edgware will minimise manual handling risks by:

Planning each job to reduce unnecessary carrying, twisting, reaching, and lifting over long distances or awkward routes.

Using handling aids such as sack trucks, dollies, sliders, and ramps wherever reasonably practicable.

Ensuring that staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, team lifts, and communication when moving large or heavy items.

Avoiding single-person lifts of items that are excessively heavy, bulky, or unstable, and refusing tasks that cannot be carried out safely with the resources available.

Where conditions within a property, staircase, or access point present additional risks, the team will assess and agree the safest possible method or advise the customer if a task cannot be completed safely.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are critical to the safe delivery of removal services. Man and Van Edgware will ensure that each vehicle is appropriate for the load, maintained in safe condition, and inspected regularly. Any defects must be reported immediately and the vehicle taken out of service if safety is compromised.

Drivers are responsible for operating vehicles safely and lawfully, including adherence to speed limits, parking regulations, and loading restrictions. They must not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol and must be fit to drive, including being adequately rested.

Loads must be distributed evenly and secured with appropriate restraints to prevent movement during transit. Overloading of vehicles is strictly prohibited. All doors, ramps, and tail lifts must be used in accordance with training and manufacturer instructions.

Working at Customer Premises

Our teams regularly work inside homes, offices, and shared buildings. To protect customers, staff, and other occupants, Man and Van Edgware will:

Plan access routes to avoid trip hazards, fragile surfaces, and congestion.

Use protective coverings where reasonably practicable to help prevent slips and damage.

Store tools and equipment safely while on site and keep passageways as clear as possible.

Operate with consideration for noise, shared spaces, and emergency exits within buildings.

Where the environment or behaviour of others presents a risk (for example, obstruction, aggression, or unsafe conditions), staff are empowered to stop work and seek guidance from management.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All staff involved in removal work will receive appropriate induction and ongoing training, including manual handling, safe driving, load securing, use of equipment, and emergency procedures. Where specialised tasks are undertaken, additional training will be provided as needed.

Supervision will be proportionate to the level of risk and the experience of the team. New or inexperienced workers will be supported by more experienced colleagues and managers.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to management. This allows us to investigate causes, identify lessons learned, and introduce preventive measures. Records of incidents will be reviewed periodically to identify patterns and areas for improvement.

Staff must be familiar with basic emergency procedures relevant to their work, including what to do in the event of injury, vehicle breakdowns, or fire at customer premises. Where first aid is required, the priority is to secure the scene, protect life, and summon appropriate medical or emergency assistance.

Health, Welfare, and Fitness for Work

Man and Van Edgware recognises that removal work can be physically demanding. We encourage staff to maintain good general health and to inform management of any condition that might affect their ability to carry out tasks safely. No employee should undertake work that is beyond their physical capability or training.

We will not tolerate the use of alcohol or illegal substances during work or immediately prior to work. Medication that may impair alertness or physical coordination must be discussed with management before engaging in driving or manual handling tasks.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

This health and safety policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legislation, or best practice guidance for the removal and transport sector. We welcome feedback from employees, contractors, and customers to help improve the safety and quality of our services.

By working together to follow this policy, Man and Van Edgware aims to deliver reliable removal services while safeguarding everyone involved in or affected by our activities.