Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Hackney Wick
Man with Van Hackney Wick is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our workers, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy outlines our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We aim to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption during every removal and delivery. We will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised best practice for transport, manual handling and workplace safety. Continuous improvement in health and safety performance is a core part of how we operate.
Health and safety considerations are integrated into planning our removals, allocating equipment and resources, training workers and communicating with customers. Everyone involved in our services is expected to take safety seriously and act responsibly.
Responsibilities
Management Responsibilities
Management of Man with Van Hackney Wick is responsible for setting health and safety standards and ensuring they are implemented. This includes:
Conducting or commissioning risk assessments for our regular activities, routes and working methods.
Providing suitable vehicles, tools, lifting equipment, restraints and personal protective equipment that are maintained in a safe condition.
Ensuring workers receive appropriate information, instruction and training on safe working practices.
Reviewing incidents, near misses and customer feedback to improve procedures and reduce risks.
Keeping this policy under regular review so it remains current, effective and relevant to our services.
Worker Responsibilities
All workers, including drivers and porters, have a duty to safeguard their own health and safety and that of others. Every worker must:
Follow company procedures and safe systems of work at all times.
Use all equipment, tools and protective gear as instructed and never intentionally misuse them.
Report hazards, defects, near misses, injuries and concerns to management as soon as practicable.
Cooperate with any health and safety instructions, training and investigations.
Refrain from working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair safe performance.
Customer and Public Responsibilities
We ask customers to support safe working by:
Ensuring clear access to properties, stairways, lifts and loading areas where reasonably possible.
Keeping children, pets and bystanders away from loading zones and vehicle movements.
Advising us in advance about unusual items, restricted access, fragile goods or any known hazards at the property.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We identify, assess and control risks associated with our removal services. Risk assessments cover activities such as manual handling, working in confined spaces, use of stairs, vehicle access, parking and loading conditions.
Where significant risks are identified, we put in place control measures such as using additional staff, trolleys, lifting aids, protective materials or modified work methods. Workers are trained to adapt on site, stop work if conditions become unsafe and seek guidance when unsure.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of our work and presents risks of strains, sprains and other injuries if not managed properly. To reduce these risks we:
Provide training in correct lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifting and use of handling aids.
Plan lifts in advance, considering the weight, shape and stability of items and the route to be taken.
Use trolleys, skates, straps and other aids where practical.
Avoid unsafe practices such as twisting while lifting, overreaching, or attempting to carry items that are too heavy for one person.
Encourage workers to refuse any lift they believe to be unsafe and to request additional support or equipment.
Vehicles, Equipment and Load Security
Our vehicles and equipment are essential to safe operations. We are committed to:
Regularly inspecting and maintaining vehicles, ramps, trolleys, blankets, straps and other tools used in removals.
Ensuring vehicles are loaded within safe weight limits and that loads are distributed evenly and properly secured.
Using appropriate restraints and padding to prevent movement of items during transit and reduce the risk of damage or injury when unloading.
Checking that access areas around vehicles remain clear during loading and unloading and that parking is as safe and legal as reasonably practical.
Working Environment and Welfare
We recognise the importance of safe and healthy working conditions, including:
Taking account of weather, lighting and temperature when planning work and breaks.
Encouraging workers to use appropriate footwear and clothing suitable for removal work.
Allowing reasonable rest breaks to reduce fatigue, especially during physically demanding moves.
Ensuring first aid supplies are available in vehicles or at base and that workers know how to access medical assistance.
Hazardous Items and Restricted Goods
For the safety of workers and the public, certain items may not be transported or may require special arrangements. These can include hazardous chemicals, flammable substances, gas cylinders, illegal items or goods that present an abnormal risk. Customers must inform us in advance about any such items so that we can advise on safe handling or alternative arrangements.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses and damage to property or vehicles are to be reported to management. We will investigate incidents to understand causes and to prevent recurrence. Findings from investigations are used to update procedures, training and risk assessments.
Training, Communication and Review
We provide ongoing training relevant to roles within the company, including safe driving, safe loading and unloading, manual handling and emergency response. Health and safety information is communicated clearly to workers so they understand expectations and procedures.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, equipment or legal requirements. Updated versions are communicated to workers and made available to customers upon request.
By following this policy, Man with Van Hackney Wick aims to deliver reliable removal services while protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.
