Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Petts Wood

Man with Van Petts Wood 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 delivery activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with loading, unloading, transport, packing, and handling of goods.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property by planning and carrying out all work in a safe, responsible and professional manner. We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and continually seek to improve our standards through regular review, staff training and monitoring of our performance on every job.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Petts Wood rests with the company management. Management will ensure that suitable resources are made available so that safe systems of work can be implemented and maintained.

Supervisors and drivers are responsible for the day-to-day implementation of this policy on site and while on the road. They must lead by example, follow safe working procedures, report hazards, and ensure that vehicles and equipment are in a safe condition.

All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They are required to cooperate fully with the company in carrying out this policy, including participating in training, using equipment properly and reporting any incidents or near misses.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before carrying out removal or delivery work, we assess the risks associated with the task, location and items to be handled. This includes access routes, stairs, parking arrangements, manual handling requirements and any specific hazards related to customers premises.

Safe systems of work are then implemented, which may include the use of additional staff, specialist equipment, protective gear, vehicle positioning and agreed communication methods. Where conditions change on arrival, staff are required to reassess risks and, if necessary, adjust the method of work or consult management before proceeding.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a significant part of our operations. To reduce the risk of injury, we:

Ensure staff receive training in correct lifting techniques and the use of handling aids.

Plan tasks to avoid unnecessary manual lifting where mechanical aids or additional manpower can be used.

Encourage staff to assess each item before lifting, considering its weight, shape and the route to be taken.

Require staff to refuse to lift or move items that they judge to be unsafe without additional assistance, equipment or revised planning.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are central to our man and van services, and their safe use is essential. We ensure that vehicles are kept in a roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing. Drivers must carry out basic checks before each journey and report any defects immediately.

All drivers must hold a valid driving licence and follow road traffic laws at all times. Speed limits, loading limits and restrictions on parking and unloading must be respected. Routes are planned to allow sufficient time for safe driving without rushing and to take account of local access restrictions where applicable.

Vehicles are loaded and secured to prevent movement of goods during transit. Heavy and bulky items are positioned to maintain stability, and securing equipment is used where appropriate.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Man with Van Petts Wood provides appropriate equipment to support safe removals, which may include trolleys, straps, blankets and other handling aids. Equipment must be checked before use, used only for its intended purpose and stored safely after use.

Personal protective equipment, such as gloves or safety footwear, is provided where necessary and must be worn as instructed. Staff are responsible for looking after their issued equipment and reporting any damage or loss so that it can be repaired or replaced.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work at customers homes, offices and other locations. We take care to protect the safety of customers, their visitors, neighbours and members of the public while work is carried out.

This includes keeping access routes as clear as reasonably practicable, using safe lifting routes, and taking care when carrying items through shared areas or public spaces. Staff will position vehicles and equipment to minimise obstruction and will use clear communication with customers and others on site.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive induction training that covers our Health and Safety policy, safe working practices, manual handling, vehicle safety and incident reporting. Additional training is provided where tasks or equipment require specific competencies.

Supervision is proportionate to the risks involved and the experience of the staff. New or less experienced employees work under closer supervision until they are fully competent to perform tasks safely.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, injuries and significant near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. We maintain records of such events, investigate their causes, and take appropriate action to prevent recurrence.

Customers are encouraged to inform us straight away of any safety concerns or incidents that occur during a job so that we can respond quickly and effectively.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective and in line with current legislation and best practice for removal and transport services. Revisions will be communicated to all staff, and updated working procedures will be implemented as needed.

By following this policy, Man with Van Petts Wood aims to provide a professional, reliable and safe removal service for customers while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved in our operations.