Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Clapham Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Clapham is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading, and the operation of vehicles.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our key objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, and to continually improve our safety performance. We aim to identify hazards, reduce risks to the lowest reasonably practicable level, and promote a positive safety culture throughout the company.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man with Van Clapham is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes ensuring that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out, that safe systems of work are developed, and that employees are provided with adequate information, instruction, training and supervision. Management will review this policy on a regular basis and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or relevant legislation.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors working on behalf of Man with Van Clapham must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. They must follow all safety procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents promptly, and cooperate with management in implementing this policy. Failure to follow health and safety requirements may result in disciplinary action.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our main activities, including packing, lifting and carrying, loading and unloading vehicles, driving, and working on customer premises. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, falls from vehicles, vehicle movements, and contact with moving or falling objects.

From these assessments we develop and implement safe working practices. These include planning each move in advance, checking access routes and parking arrangements, using appropriate equipment, and ensuring that enough staff are present to carry out each task safely.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal work, and we place strong emphasis on reducing the risk of strain and injury. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, including assessing the weight and shape of items, using team lifts where necessary, keeping loads close to the body, and avoiding twisting while carrying.

Where possible, we use handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets to move heavy or bulky items. Loads are broken down into manageable sections whenever this can be done safely. Employees are instructed not to attempt to lift or move any object that they consider unsafe or beyond their capability.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

All equipment used for removal and transport work must be suitable for the task, maintained in good condition and inspected regularly. Staff are trained in the correct use of each type of equipment and must not use any item they believe to be faulty or unsafe.

Where the risk assessment identifies a need for personal protective equipment, such as protective footwear or gloves, it will be provided and must be worn as instructed. Employees must take reasonable care of any protective equipment issued to them and report defects or loss without delay.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, securing points and other safety-critical components. Any defects are reported immediately and vehicles are taken out of service if safety is compromised.

All drivers must hold a valid driving licence for the class of vehicle they operate and must follow road traffic laws, company driving policies and safe loading guidelines. Loads must be distributed evenly, properly secured and checked before departure. Drivers are expected to plan routes sensibly, drive defensively and avoid fatigue by taking appropriate breaks.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our work often takes place at customer homes, offices and shared access areas. We take care to protect both the premises and the people in and around them. This includes keeping walkways clear, using warning signs or verbal warnings where necessary, and controlling access to areas where loading or unloading is taking place.

Floor protection and corner guards may be used to prevent damage and reduce slip risks. Heavy or awkward items are moved in a controlled manner, and staff remain alert to the presence of children, pets and members of the public.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Clapham provides appropriate health and safety training to all employees, including induction training for new starters and refresher training as required. Topics include manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, emergency procedures and customer care. Additional task-specific training is given where needed.

Supervisors and team leaders monitor working practices on site, give guidance and correct unsafe behaviour. Health and safety information is communicated via briefings, written instructions and ongoing discussions.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record these events, investigate where appropriate and take steps to prevent recurrence. First aid arrangements are in place and staff know how to access assistance when needed.

Emergency procedures cover situations such as fire, road traffic incidents, serious injury and spillage of hazardous materials that may occasionally be encountered during moves. Employees are instructed to prioritise personal safety and the safety of others over property or schedules.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

We are committed to continually improving our health and safety performance. This is achieved by learning from experience, listening to feedback from staff and customers, monitoring our activities, and updating our procedures where necessary.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with our removal operations and legal obligations. Updated versions will be communicated to all employees and made available to customers upon request.