Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Eastham

Man with Van Eastham is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and the wider public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our core responsibilities and the standards we apply to all removal and transportation work carried out by our team.

Policy Aim and Scope

The aim of this policy is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health associated with our removal services. It covers all activities undertaken by Man with Van Eastham, including packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and related tasks at homes, business premises, and storage locations.

This policy applies to all employees, regular subcontractors, and any temporary workers engaged in our operations. We expect all individuals working with or on behalf of Man with Van Eastham to cooperate with this policy at all times.

Management Responsibilities

Management has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:

Ensuring that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are conducted for removal activities. Providing appropriate tools, vehicles, and equipment that are safe and fit for purpose. Organising regular maintenance and inspection of vehicles, lifting aids, and other work equipment. Ensuring staff receive ongoing training, instruction, and supervision relevant to their roles. Allocating adequate resources to support safe working practices and continuous improvement. Reviewing the policy periodically and updating it in line with operational changes or new legislation.

Employee Responsibilities

Every member of staff has 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. Employees are expected to:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided. Use equipment, vehicles, and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately. Cooperate fully with risk assessments and safe systems of work. Report accidents, incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions to management without delay. Avoid engaging in horseplay or any behaviour that might cause harm or distraction.

Failure to follow health and safety requirements may be treated as a disciplinary matter.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments to identify potential hazards associated with removal work, such as manual handling, working at height when loading vehicles, slips and trips, traffic risks, and contact with customers and the public.

Based on these assessments, we implement safe systems of work. These may include:

Planning moves to minimise manual lifting distances and obstacles. Using mechanical aids, such as trolleys or sack trucks, wherever appropriate. Establishing clear walkways and keeping work areas free from tripping hazards. Ensuring safe loading and securing of items in vehicles to prevent movement during transit. Complying with weight limits for vehicles and lifting equipment.

Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or vehicles.

Manual Handling and Heavy Items

Manual handling is a key part of our work, and we take particular care to manage the risks of lifting, carrying, and moving items.

We commit to:

Providing manual handling training to our staff, covering correct lifting techniques and the importance of team lifting. Assessing each item and route before lifting to identify hazards such as uneven surfaces, narrow stairs, or awkward shapes. Using team lifts or mechanical aids for heavy or bulky items, such as furniture and appliances. Encouraging staff to refuse to lift any load they consider unsafe or beyond their capabilities.

Customers are asked not to place items in locations that would require unsafe lifting or movement and to inform us of any access issues in advance.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our service and must be operated safely at all times.

Man with Van Eastham will:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained in a roadworthy condition. Check that drivers hold the appropriate valid driving licence and are competent to drive the vehicles in use. Require drivers to comply with speed limits, parking restrictions, and road safety laws. Plan routes to minimise driving risks and allow adequate time for journeys, avoiding pressure to rush. Ensure loads are distributed evenly and secured properly to prevent shifting during transport.

Drivers must not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any medication that impairs their ability to operate a vehicle safely.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where necessary, Man with Van Eastham will provide personal protective equipment, such as gloves, high-visibility clothing, or safety footwear, and ensure it is maintained in good condition.

Employees must use the protective equipment provided and report any faults or losses so that replacements can be arranged promptly.

Customer and Public Safety

We take steps to protect customers and members of the public during our operations.

These steps include:

Maintaining clear communication with customers about access routes and timing of work. Setting up safe loading and unloading areas where possible, and minimising obstruction to pathways and entrances. Avoiding leaving tools, packing materials, or equipment where they may cause trips or falls. Taking care when moving items around children, pets, or individuals with limited mobility.

We ask customers to keep children and pets away from work areas and to follow any safety instructions given by our team.

Accidents, Incidents and First Aid

All accidents, incidents, and near misses that occur during our work must be reported to management, regardless of severity. This enables us to investigate underlying causes and prevent recurrence.

We maintain basic first aid provisions in our vehicles or at our operating base. Where an injury requires medical attention, emergency services will be contacted promptly.

Training, Communication and Consultation

We provide appropriate training and instruction to all staff, including induction training for new employees and refresher training where required. Topics can include manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, and emergency procedures.

Health and safety information is communicated through briefings, written instructions, and ongoing supervision. We encourage employees to raise any concerns or suggestions for improving safety with management, and we will consider these as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective for our removal activities. Reviews may be carried out annually or sooner if there are significant changes in legislation, our operations, or following any serious incident.

Man with Van Eastham is dedicated to maintaining high standards of health and safety and expects all staff, contractors, and customers to support and cooperate with the principles set out in this policy.