Health and Safety policy

Man and Van Acton Health and Safety Policy

Man and Van Acton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risk across all removal and transport services, including household moves, office relocations and delivery work.

Our aim is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. We comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and continually seek to improve our standards and procedures.

Health and Safety Objectives

We work towards the following key objectives in all man and van operations:

To minimise the risk of injury to staff, customers and the public during loading, unloading and transport of goods.

To protect property and belongings from damage by using safe handling methods and suitable equipment.

To maintain vehicles and equipment in a safe, roadworthy and fit-for-purpose condition.

To provide staff with information, training and supervision to enable them to work safely and responsibly.

To review incidents, near misses and customer feedback to improve our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man and Van Acton holds overall responsibility for health and safety within the business. This includes:

Ensuring that this Health and Safety Policy is implemented, communicated and reviewed regularly.

Providing appropriate resources, including time, training and equipment, to maintain safe working conditions.

Carrying out or arranging regular risk assessments of our activities and ensuring that recommended control measures are put in place.

Ensuring that vehicles are inspected, serviced and maintained in accordance with legal and manufacturer requirements.

Investigating accidents and incidents, identifying root causes and taking corrective action to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and contractor working on behalf of Man and Van Acton has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff are expected to:

Follow safe working procedures and instructions provided by management and supervisors.

Use vehicles, lifting equipment, trolleys, straps and protective gear in accordance with training and guidance.

Report hazards, defects, near misses, accidents and health concerns to management as soon as possible.

Cooperate fully with any accident investigations, risk assessments or safety improvement measures.

Refrain from working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair judgment or performance.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We regularly assess the risks associated with our removal and transport activities. Typical factors considered include access to properties, parking and loading arrangements, staircases and lifts, weight and dimensions of items, weather conditions and traffic and road safety.

From these assessments we develop safe systems of work, which may include:

Planning routes and parking to minimise reversing and avoid unnecessary manual handling over long distances.

Using appropriate lifting techniques and team lifting for heavy or awkward items.

Using trolleys, dollies, sliders, protective blankets and securing straps to reduce manual strain and protect goods.

Assessing the suitability of stairways and narrow passages before moving large items and adjusting the plan where necessary.

Ensuring adequate lighting and keeping walkways clear of trip hazards during loading and unloading.

Manual Handling and Load Safety

Manual handling is a core element of removal work and a key area of risk. Man and Van Acton takes the following steps to control manual handling risks:

Providing staff with training on safe lifting, carrying and team-handling techniques.

Avoiding single-person lifting of heavy loads wherever reasonably practicable.

Encouraging staff to assess each load individually, considering weight, shape, stability and route before moving.

Using mechanical aids and handling equipment to reduce physical strain.

Securing loads safely in vehicles using straps, bars and appropriate stacking methods to prevent shifting during transit.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our service and must be operated safely at all times. We ensure that:

Vehicles are regularly checked for roadworthiness, including brakes, tyres, lights, mirrors and load security points.

Drivers hold the correct licences and are competent to operate the vehicles assigned to them.

Loads are distributed evenly within vehicles and secured to prevent movement.

Drivers follow road traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations.

Journeys are planned to allow sufficient time, reducing pressure on drivers and encouraging safe driving behaviours.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, neighbours and members of the public when we are working in homes, offices and shared spaces. To achieve this we:

Take care to protect floors, walls, doors and fixtures from damage during moves.

Keep routes clear of obstacles, packaging and debris to avoid slips, trips and falls.

Use caution when moving items through communal areas, doorways and pavements.

Place ramps, equipment and vehicles in positions that minimise obstruction to pedestrians and other road users.

Maintain respectful and considerate behaviour in and around customer premises.

Training, Information and Supervision

Health and safety training is provided to all relevant staff, with additional guidance for new starters and less experienced workers. Training topics may include manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle checks, loading techniques, hazard awareness and emergency procedures.

Supervisors and team leaders monitor working practices on site, ensuring that procedures are followed and providing instruction where necessary. Refresher training is given when new risks are identified or when working methods change.

Incident Reporting and Policy Review

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported promptly. We record and review this information to identify patterns, improve risk controls and prevent recurrence.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice or the nature of our services. A current copy of the policy is available to staff and customers on request.

By following this policy, Man and Van Acton seeks to deliver professional removal and transport services while safeguarding the wellbeing of everyone involved.