Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Enfield Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Enfield 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 transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with house moves, office relocations and general transport of goods throughout our service area.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment arising from our work. We will achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures for all removal and transport operations. Health and safety considerations form an integral part of planning every job, from initial enquiry to completion of the move.

All members of our team share responsibility for maintaining high standards of safety. Management provides leadership, resources, information, instruction and supervision, while staff are expected to follow safe working practices and report any concerns promptly.

Legal Compliance and Responsibilities

Man with Van Enfield will comply with relevant health and safety legislation, regulations and approved codes of practice applicable to our removal services. We recognise our duty of care towards employees, self-employed contractors working under our control, customers and others who may be affected by our work.

Management is responsible for ensuring that:

Risks are assessed and controlled as far as is reasonably practicable. Safe systems of work are developed and communicated. Suitable equipment is provided and maintained in a safe condition. Staff receive appropriate training and supervision. Incidents and near misses are recorded and, where required, investigated.

Employees and contractors are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others. Using equipment correctly and in accordance with training. Cooperating with the company on health and safety matters. Reporting hazards, defects, incidents and near misses without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Risk assessments are carried out for our typical activities, including domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading vehicles, driving, working at customers premises and handling heavy or awkward items. Where necessary, dynamic risk assessments are completed on site to address specific conditions such as access issues, parking, stairs, weather and customer requirements.

Findings from risk assessments are used to develop safe systems of work. These include clear instructions on manual handling techniques, team lifting, use of trolleys and lifting aids, loading patterns, securing loads in vehicles and maintaining safe access routes. Staff are expected to follow these procedures at all times.

Training, Information and Supervision

All personnel receive information and instruction appropriate to their role and level of responsibility. This may include induction training, manual handling training, safe driving practices, equipment use, incident reporting and customer care with safety in mind.

New or less experienced staff are supervised closely until they are competent to work more independently. Refresher training is provided periodically or when work methods, equipment or relevant legislation change. Safety information is communicated clearly before each job, and any specific hazards associated with a move are discussed with the crew.

Manual Handling and Personal Safety

Manual handling is a key risk area in the removal industry. Man with Van Enfield is committed to reducing manual handling risks by:

Assessing the weight, size and shape of items before moving them. Using trolleys, dollies, straps and other aids where practical. Encouraging team lifting for heavy or bulky objects. Planning routes that minimise carrying distances and awkward movements. Avoiding unnecessary lifting by careful loading and unloading strategies.

Staff are trained to use proper lifting techniques, avoid twisting while carrying loads and take regular short breaks when handling demanding items. Where an item is considered too heavy or unsafe to move even with assistance, we reserve the right to refuse to move it or to seek alternative arrangements.

Vehicles, Equipment and Maintenance

Our vehicles and equipment are essential to safe and efficient removal operations. Man with Van Enfield will:

Ensure vehicles are properly maintained, serviced and inspected in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Conduct pre-use checks on vehicles and key equipment, including trolleys, straps, blankets and ramps. Remove defective equipment from service until it has been repaired or replaced. Ensure loads are distributed evenly, secured correctly and do not exceed safe weight limits.

Drivers are responsible for the safe operation of vehicles, including adherence to speed limits, parking safely, avoiding unsafe manoeuvres and considering pedestrians and other road users at all times.

Customer Premises and Site Safety

When working at customer premises, our staff will act with care and professionalism. This includes:

Identifying potential hazards such as uneven surfaces, loose carpets, low ceilings, narrow staircases and restricted access. Keeping walkways as clear as reasonably possible to prevent trips and falls. Using protective coverings where appropriate to reduce the risk of damage and provide safer footing. Communicating with the customer about any access restrictions or safety concerns.

Customers are asked to assist by keeping children, pets and unnecessary visitors away from work areas, ensuring access routes are reasonably clear and informing us of any known hazards in or around their property.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, near misses and significant safety concerns are reported to management as soon as possible. Records are kept and, where appropriate, investigations are undertaken to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

We use the findings from incidents, customer feedback and staff suggestions to improve our systems and working methods. This policy and related procedures are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain effective, relevant and proportionate to the risks associated with our services.

Commitment to Ongoing Review

Man with Van Enfield is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice or the nature of our operations. All employees and contractors will be informed of any significant changes and are encouraged to take an active role in promoting a safe working environment for everyone involved in our removal services.