Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Hampton Wick
Man with Van Hampton Wick 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 transportation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods.
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing sensible safety controls throughout all stages of our work.
Management Responsibilities
Company management has overall responsibility for ensuring that this Health and Safety Policy is implemented, maintained and reviewed regularly. We will provide the leadership and resources needed so that safe working practices are understood, applied and continuously improved.
Management is responsible for
Ensuring that health and safety is given equal priority alongside operational and customer service requirements.
Carrying out and reviewing risk assessments for our removal services, including lifting, carrying, driving and site access.
Providing appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to staff and contractors.
Ensuring that vehicles, equipment and tools used for removals are suitable, properly maintained and safe for use.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses, and taking corrective action to prevent recurrence.
Reviewing this policy periodically and updating it when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance or company operations.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and contractors have a legal and moral duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
In particular, our staff are required to
Follow all safety procedures and instructions provided by the company.
Use vehicles, handling aids, tools and protective equipment correctly and only for their intended purpose.
Apply safe lifting and carrying techniques at all times, and seek assistance when items are heavy, awkward or difficult to move.
Report accidents, injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions or equipment defects to management without delay.
Refrain from working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair safe performance.
Cooperate fully with any training, audits or investigations relating to health and safety.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We undertake risk assessments for our removal and transportation activities to identify potential hazards and implement appropriate controls. These assessments cover, as a minimum
Manual handling of furniture, appliances and other items.
Use of handling equipment such as trolleys and straps.
Vehicle loading, securing of loads and unloading procedures.
Access to properties, including stairs, narrow corridors and external pathways.
Working in different weather and traffic conditions within our service areas.
Protection of customers, neighbours and the public during loading and unloading.
Findings from risk assessments are used to establish safe systems of work and practical guidance for staff. These procedures are regularly reviewed and adjusted when new hazards are identified or operating conditions change.
Manual Handling and Safe Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of our removal services, and we recognise the potential risk of musculoskeletal injuries if it is not managed correctly. To minimise these risks
We train staff in correct lifting techniques, including assessment of load weight, stability and route planning.
We encourage team lifting for heavy or bulky items and the use of suitable mechanical aids where appropriate.
We require breaks or rotation of tasks to reduce fatigue during physically demanding work.
We expect staff to refuse to move any item that they consider unsafe to handle without additional support or equipment.
Vehicles, Driving and Load Security
Safe operation of vehicles is essential to protecting our staff, customers and other road users. We are committed to
Ensuring that our vehicles used for removal services are roadworthy, regularly inspected and maintained.
Requiring drivers to hold appropriate licences and follow all road traffic rules.
Planning routes to minimise unnecessary risk, taking into account local road conditions and restrictions.
Ensuring loads are distributed evenly and secured properly to prevent movement or damage during transit.
Prohibiting the use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving, except with lawful hands free equipment where required.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We recognise our duty to protect customers, visitors, neighbours and members of the public while we are working at or near their premises. To achieve this
We maintain clear access routes and keep work areas as free as possible from trip hazards and obstructions.
We take care when moving items through doorways, stairwells and shared areas to prevent damage and accidental injury.
We organise parking and positioning of our vehicles to reduce risks from traffic and to maintain safe pedestrian access.
We communicate clearly with customers about timings and any safety considerations relevant to their property or location.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide appropriate health and safety training to all staff, proportionate to their role and responsibilities. This may include induction training, manual handling, use of equipment, load securing and safe driving practices.
Written and verbal instructions are provided to reinforce safe working methods, and supervision is used to ensure that procedures are followed in day to day operations.
Occupational Health and Welfare
We are committed to protecting the physical and mental wellbeing of our staff. We aim to
Reduce the risk of strain, fatigue and injury through proper planning of work and reasonable allocation of tasks.
Encourage staff to report any health issues that could be affected by manual handling or driving duties.
Provide rest breaks that are appropriate to the work undertaken and the distances travelled.
Continuous Improvement
Man with Van Hampton Wick is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We review this policy on a regular basis and whenever there are significant changes in our services, operating areas or applicable regulations.
Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and used to improve our safety standards. By working together, we aim to ensure that all removal and transport activities are carried out as safely and efficiently as possible.
