Health and Safety policy

Man With Van Orpington Health And Safety Policy

Man with Van Orpington is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to health and safety during all removal, collection, delivery and related transport services carried out within our operating area.

We recognise that removal and transportation work involves manual handling, vehicle use and work in a variety of domestic and commercial locations. We therefore place health and safety at the core of our planning, decision making and day to day activities.

Our Health And Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and maintain high standards of safety performance. To achieve this, Man with Van Orpington will:

Plan and deliver all work so that health and safety risks are identified, controlled and monitored. Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, approved codes of practice and industry guidance applicable to removal and transport services. Provide safe systems of work for loading, unloading, lifting, carrying and transporting items. Supply appropriate equipment and ensure it is maintained in a safe condition. Offer information, instruction, training and supervision so that staff can work safely and competently. Continuously review and improve our health and safety management arrangements.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man with Van Orpington has overall responsibility for implementing this health and safety policy. Management will:

Ensure that risk assessments are completed for core tasks such as lifting, carrying, use of trolleys, working in confined spaces such as stairwells, and vehicle loading. Provide adequate resources for health and safety, including suitable equipment and training time. Maintain clear procedures for incident reporting and investigation so that lessons are learned and corrective actions are taken. Monitor performance through feedback from staff and customers and through regular review of working practices. Keep this policy up to date and communicate any changes to all employees and regular contractors.

Employee Responsibilities

Every person working for or on behalf of Man with Van Orpington has an important role in maintaining safe working conditions. Employees are required to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safe working procedures and instructions issued by management or supervisors. Use vehicles, equipment and any personal protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately. Co operate with risk assessments, training sessions and safety briefings. Report accidents, near misses, hazardous conditions and concerns without delay so that appropriate measures can be taken.

Risk Assessment And Safe Working Practices

Before beginning removal or transport work, Man with Van Orpington will consider potential hazards and put in place suitable controls. This may include:

Assessing access routes, staircases, corridors and parking arrangements at both collection and delivery points. Considering the weight, size and fragility of items to be moved, and determining appropriate methods for lifting and carrying. Identifying any need for additional equipment such as trolleys, straps, ramps or protective covers to reduce the risk of manual handling injury or property damage. Planning the sequence of work to minimise carrying distances and avoid unnecessary lifting. Reviewing traffic conditions and vehicle routes to promote safe driving and parking practices.

Where conditions change on site, staff are expected to stop and reassess the risks, and to contact management if they are unsure how to proceed safely.

Manual Handling And Use Of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant part of our removals work. To reduce the risk of strains, sprains and other injuries, Man with Van Orpington will:

Provide guidance and training on safe lifting techniques, including team lifting and the use of equipment to assist with heavy or awkward loads. Encourage staff to avoid lifting loads that are excessively heavy or unstable, and to seek assistance where needed. Supply appropriate handling equipment such as sack trucks, furniture dollies and securing straps, and ensure they are kept in good condition. Prohibit unsafe practices such as rushing, twisting while lifting, or moving items where there is clearly insufficient space or support.

Vehicle Safety And Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our service and are operated with safety as a priority. Man with Van Orpington will:

Ensure that vehicles are roadworthy and subject to regular checks, inspections and servicing. Require drivers to hold the appropriate licence and to comply with road traffic laws at all times. Promote defensive driving techniques, respect for speed limits and avoidance of distractions while driving. Ensure that loads are properly secured using straps and other suitable methods to prevent movement during transit. Plan routes and schedules to reduce unnecessary time pressure and support safe driving behaviour.

Customer Premises And Public Safety

Our teams work in customer homes, offices and public areas. We will take all reasonable steps to protect customers and the public by:

Maintaining clear walkways and avoiding trip hazards caused by equipment, packing materials or items being moved. Using caution when moving items through doorways, on stairs and near pedestrians or other vehicles. Respecting property and reporting any damage immediately to management and the customer. Limiting noise and disruption where reasonably practicable, and working considerately in shared spaces.

Training, Information And Consultation

Man with Van Orpington recognises that training and communication are essential for effective health and safety management. We will:

Provide induction training for new staff, covering key risks associated with removal and transport work. Offer ongoing training updates, toolbox talks and briefings to reinforce safe working practices. Make this policy and related procedures available to all employees and regular contractors. Encourage open communication so staff can raise health and safety issues and suggest improvements without hesitation or concern.

Accident Reporting And Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Man with Van Orpington will:

Record incidents in an appropriate form and investigate them to identify root causes. Take prompt corrective action to prevent recurrence and to improve systems of work. Ensure workers are aware of emergency contact arrangements and procedures, including what to do in case of fire, injury, vehicle collision or sudden illness during a job.

Policy Review

This health and safety policy reflects the current operations of Man with Van Orpington and the nature of our removal and transport services. It will be reviewed regularly and amended as necessary to take account of changes in legislation, industry standards, the size and scope of the business and feedback from staff and customers. Continued adherence to this policy is a condition of working for or with Man with Van Orpington, and we expect the same commitment to safety from all parties involved in our activities.