Health and Safety policy
Man with Van East Barnet Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van East Barnet is committed to providing professional removal and transport services in a way that protects the health, safety, and welfare of our customers, employees, subcontractors, and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy outlines our approach to identifying and managing risks, maintaining safe working practices, and complying with relevant health and safety legislation and guidance.
Policy Objectives
The main objectives of this Health and Safety Policy are to:
Identify and control risks associated with removal, loading, unloading, and transportation activities.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, and working methods.
Ensure that all staff are competent, adequately trained, and supervised.
Protect customers, their property, and the general public from avoidable harm or damage.
Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this policy across all removal operations. This includes:
Assessing risks for each job and identifying appropriate control measures.
Ensuring vehicles, lifting equipment, and tools are maintained in safe working condition.
Providing information, instruction, and training so that staff can work safely and responsibly.
Monitoring working practices and investigating incidents, near misses, or customer concerns.
Reviewing this policy periodically to ensure it remains appropriate to the scale and nature of our work.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular subcontractors working on behalf of Man with Van East Barnet share responsibility for maintaining high standards of health and safety. They are required to:
Follow safe working procedures and instructions provided by management.
Use all equipment, including trolleys, straps, and protective gear, correctly and only for its intended purpose.
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Report any hazards, defects, or unsafe conditions immediately so they can be addressed.
Inform management of any injuries, near misses, or incidents while carrying out removal activities.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before starting a job, we assess the working environment and the specific tasks required. This may include evaluation of access routes, staircases, lifts, parking arrangements, weather conditions, and any special handling requirements for large, heavy, or fragile items.
From this assessment, we identify suitable control measures, such as:
Allocating sufficient staff to handle heavy or awkward loads.
Using appropriate lifting equipment and securing materials.
Planning safe routes for carrying items to minimise manual handling risks and avoid trip and slip hazards.
Adapting working methods when space is restricted or when moving items through shared or public areas.
Where necessary, we will explain to customers any practical limitations or additional precautions required to complete the move safely.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling presents a significant risk during removal work. To minimise the likelihood of injury, we:
Train staff in correct lifting techniques and team lifting methods.
Use trolleys, dollies, ramps, and other aids wherever reasonably practicable.
Avoid single-person lifts of excessively heavy, large, or unstable items.
Break down furniture, appliances, and equipment where possible to make items safer to move.
Encourage employees to stop and seek assistance whenever they feel that a lift or movement cannot be carried out safely.
Vehicle Safety and Loading
Safe driving and safe loading are central to our operations. We ensure that:
Vehicles are maintained and inspected regularly, with defects reported and remedied promptly.
Loads are evenly distributed, properly secured using straps and other restraints, and kept within legal weight limits.
Access to the loading area is planned to minimise reversing where possible and to reduce risk to pedestrians and other road users.
Drivers operate vehicles considerately and in accordance with road traffic laws, adjusting their driving to weather, traffic, and road conditions.
Parking and unloading are carried out with care to avoid obstruction and to protect both the customer’s property and the public.
Customer and Public Safety
We take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors, neighbours, and the public from risks created by our work. This includes:
Keeping access routes as clear as possible and highlighting any temporary trip hazards.
Supervising open doors, ramps, and vehicle access points where there is a risk of falls or collisions.
Restricting access to working areas when carrying large or heavy items.
Positioning vehicles and equipment to minimise risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers.
Property Protection and Housekeeping
While primarily focused on health and safety, we also recognise our duty to protect property and maintain tidy working conditions. Our teams:
Use floor protection, coverings, or other measures where appropriate to reduce the risk of damage or slips.
Avoid blocking fire exits, stairwells, and escape routes with items or equipment.
Maintain orderly loading and unloading areas to reduce clutter and potential hazards.
Take care when handling fragile or high-value items and will advise customers if extra precautions are required.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Our staff receive appropriate instruction and training relevant to their roles, which may include manual handling, use of moving equipment, vehicle safety, and customer care. New employees are introduced to our Health and Safety Policy as part of their induction and are supervised until they are competent to work independently.
Ongoing guidance is provided to reinforce safe practices, and any updated procedures are communicated clearly to all team members.
Accidents, Incidents, and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, injuries, and significant near misses are recorded and, where necessary, investigated. The purpose of any investigation is to identify underlying causes and to prevent recurrence, not to attribute blame.
Findings from investigations may lead to improvements in our procedures, additional training, or changes to equipment. We also welcome feedback from customers and staff on health and safety matters and use this to support continual improvement.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and after any significant change in our operations, equipment, or relevant legal requirements. Updated versions will replace previous versions and will be made available to staff and customers as needed.
By instructing Man with Van East Barnet, customers can be assured that health, safety, and responsible working practices are fundamental to the way we deliver our removal services.
