Man with Van Hampstead Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Hampstead is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with our man and van removal services, including packing, loading, transport and unloading at homes, offices and other premises across our service area.

We aim to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment by integrating health and safety considerations into all aspects of our work. This policy applies to all staff and contractors working under the Man with Van Hampstead name, regardless of location or job role.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

Man with Van Hampstead will take all reasonably practicable steps to:

Provide and maintain vehicles, equipment and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Ensure that all lifting, loading and unloading activities are planned and carried out safely. Identify hazards, assess risks and implement suitable control measures for each job. Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to enable employees to work safely and competently. Maintain a clean and orderly working environment both in vehicles and at customer properties. Prevent accidents, work-related injuries and occupational ill health. Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practices.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Hampstead is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring it is understood and followed. Management duties include:

Ensuring that suitable risk assessments are carried out for typical removal activities and that site-specific hazards are identified before work begins. Providing and maintaining suitable vehicles, trolleys, lifting aids, straps, protective equipment and packing materials. Ensuring that all staff are trained in manual handling, safe loading and unloading, vehicle safety and the correct use of equipment. Monitoring working conditions and practices to ensure ongoing compliance with safety procedures. Investigating accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions, taking corrective and preventive action where required. Reviewing this Health and Safety Policy at regular intervals and updating it as necessary.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors working for Man with Van Hampstead have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. They must:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided. Use vehicles, lifting aids, tools and personal protective equipment correctly and only for their intended purpose. Report hazards, defects, near misses, accidents and any unsafe conditions to management as soon as possible. Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and any related safety measures. Refrain from taking unnecessary risks, horseplay or any behaviour that could compromise safety during removals and transport operations.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting removal work at any property or site, an assessment of potential hazards will be made. This may include consideration of access routes, stairs, narrow corridors, parking, loading areas, weather conditions and any specific customer requirements. Where significant risks are identified, appropriate control measures will be put in place, such as using additional staff, lifting aids or alternative routes.

Safe working practices for typical removal tasks will be documented and communicated to all staff. These cover safe lifting techniques, team lifting of heavy or bulky items, securing loads in vehicles, working on or near roads and safe use of equipment. Staff must follow these safe systems of work at all times.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key part of our removal activities. To reduce the risk of injury, employees are trained to:

Assess the weight and shape of items before attempting to lift or move them. Seek help or use appropriate equipment for heavy, awkward or fragile items. Maintain good posture, lift with the legs and avoid twisting the spine when carrying loads. Use trolleys, dollies, straps and other lifting aids correctly and safely. Take regular breaks as needed to avoid fatigue when carrying out physically demanding tasks.

All equipment used by Man with Van Hampstead will be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure it is safe and fit for purpose. Defective or damaged equipment must not be used and must be reported immediately.

Vehicle Safety and Load Security

Our vehicles are central to our services and must be operated safely at all times. We will ensure that:

Vehicles are regularly serviced and inspected in line with legal and manufacturer requirements. Drivers hold valid licences and are competent to drive the type of vehicle in use. Loads are distributed evenly and secured using appropriate straps, blankets and restraints to prevent movement during transit. Access routes and parking for loading and unloading are planned as safely as possible, taking account of local traffic and restrictions.

Drivers and staff must obey all road traffic laws and drive in a manner that prioritises safety over speed or convenience. Mobile devices must not be used while driving except in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer locations, we recognise our duty to protect customers, visitors and the general public from harm. To achieve this, Man with Van Hampstead will:

Take care to keep access routes clear of trip hazards such as boxes, tools and packing materials. Use safe routes for carrying items, particularly on stairs and through doorways. Exercise caution when moving large items through shared areas such as pavements, corridors and communal entrances. Communicate clearly with customers about any temporary risks or restrictions during the move.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Incidents will be recorded and investigated to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Staff are trained in basic emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, vehicle breakdown or collision. Where appropriate, work will be stopped immediately if a serious risk to health or safety is identified and will not resume until it is safe to do so.

Training, Communication and Policy Review

Man with Van Hampstead will provide initial and ongoing health and safety training for all employees and contractors appropriate to their roles. This may include induction training, refresher courses, toolbox talks and updates following changes to procedures or equipment.

We are committed to open communication about health and safety. Staff are encouraged to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in the continuous development of safe working practices. This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legal requirements or recognised best practice. Any updates will be communicated to all relevant personnel.

By working together and following this policy, Man with Van Hampstead aims to deliver efficient, professional and safe removal services throughout our operating area.