Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Coulsdon

Man with Van Coulsdon is committed to providing a professional and safe removal service for customers, visitors, members of the public and everyone working with us. This Health and Safety policy explains our approach to managing risks during home moves, office relocations and other transport and delivery work carried out by our team.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to prevent injury, protect property, and minimise disruption during every move. We aim to identify hazards in advance, manage risks effectively, and ensure that our staff are trained and equipped to work safely at all times. We continually review our working practices to keep our services safe, reliable and compliant with applicable health and safety principles.

Responsibilities and Commitment

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Coulsdon lies with the company owner or designated manager. They ensure that appropriate procedures, training and equipment are in place and that this policy is regularly reviewed and updated as necessary.

All employees and regular subcontractors share responsibility for working safely. This includes following safe systems of work, using equipment correctly, reporting hazards or near misses, and cooperating with any reasonable instructions or safety measures. Every team member is expected to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before each removal or delivery, our team assesses the key risks associated with the job. This may include access routes, stairs, narrow corridors, parking arrangements, loading and unloading areas, weather conditions and the nature of items being moved. Where significant risks are identified, appropriate control measures are put in place such as adjusting access routes, using additional lifting aids or allocating extra staff.

We promote safe working practices including careful planning of each move, clear communication between team members, and adherence to safe lifting techniques. Where possible, tasks are organised to avoid unnecessary manual handling and to minimise time spent in potentially hazardous areas such as busy roadsides or confined spaces.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal service, and we recognise the potential risks associated with lifting and carrying heavy or bulky items. Our staff receive guidance on safe manual handling techniques, including how to assess the weight and shape of loads, how to lift using a stable posture, and how to work in pairs or teams for larger items.

Where appropriate, we use trolleys, skates and other moving equipment to reduce strain and improve control when handling heavy furniture, appliances or large boxes. Staff are instructed not to attempt to lift items that they consider unsafe or beyond their capacity, and customers may be advised if an item requires special equipment or additional resources to move safely.

Vehicle Safety and Loading

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition in line with manufacturer recommendations and general road safety requirements. Drivers are responsible for conducting basic checks and reporting any defects or concerns promptly so that they can be addressed before further use.

Loading and unloading are carried out carefully to protect both staff and property. Loads are distributed evenly, secured to prevent movement in transit, and arranged to avoid overloading the vehicle. Access to the loading area is managed to reduce contact with moving traffic and to keep pathways clear for safe movement of items.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer homes or business premises, we aim to minimise disruption and maintain a safe environment. We take care when moving items through doorways, hallways and staircases to prevent trips, slips and damage. Where needed, protective coverings may be used on floors or other surfaces to reduce risk.

We take reasonable steps to protect members of the public, neighbours and other building users from hazards arising from our work. This may include managing access routes, temporarily restricting entry to specific areas while heavy items are being moved, and communicating clearly with anyone who may be affected by our activities.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Measures

We ensure that any tools and moving equipment used in our operations are suitable for their intended purpose and are kept in good condition. Faulty or damaged equipment is removed from service until it has been repaired or replaced.

Where appropriate, staff may use protective measures such as gloves, safety footwear or other suitable clothing, particularly when handling sharp, heavy or awkward items. Team members are expected to use such measures when provided and to report any problems or additional needs.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Coulsdon provides staff with information and guidance on safe working practices. New staff are introduced to our health and safety expectations and are supervised as necessary until they are competent to work independently.

We encourage ongoing learning and the sharing of experience within the team so that good practice can be maintained and improved. Where changes to procedures or new equipment are introduced, relevant information is communicated to staff to ensure that work continues to be carried out safely.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, near misses and significant incidents that occur during our work should be reported to the company owner or designated manager as soon as possible. This allows us to investigate what happened, learn from the event and take steps to prevent a recurrence.

We review incidents, customer feedback and operational experience on a regular basis to identify trends and areas where improvements can be made. This helps us to refine our risk assessments, update procedures and reinforce training where required.

Review of this Policy

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, services or working practices. Updated versions will be communicated to staff and made available to customers on request. Our goal is to maintain a removal service that is not only efficient and dependable but also consistently safe for everyone involved.