Man with Van Fulwell Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Fulwell is committed to providing removal and transportation services in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, transport and working in domestic and commercial environments.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment arising from our activities. We will comply, as a minimum, with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice, and we will strive for continual improvement in our standards.
Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and carry out our removals and man and van services. We expect everyone who works with us to take personal responsibility for following this policy and supporting a positive safety culture.
Responsibilities
The company management is responsible for implementing this policy, providing adequate resources and ensuring that safe systems of work are in place for all removal and transport operations. Management will review this policy regularly and update it when necessary to reflect changes in law, guidance or our working practices.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day to day health and safety arrangements on jobs, including undertaking risk assessments where required, briefing staff on site-specific hazards and ensuring that appropriate equipment and protective measures are used.
All employees and contractors have a duty to work safely, follow instructions and training, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents, and cooperate with management to maintain safe working conditions.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before starting removal or delivery work, we assess the risks associated with each job. This includes considering access routes, stairways, parking, loading areas, manual handling challenges, weather conditions and any specific risks at the property or premises.
Where significant risks are identified, we implement control measures such as using additional staff, specialist moving equipment, alternative routes, time restrictions or revised loading methods. Our safe systems of work are communicated to staff before work begins and are reviewed if conditions change.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Heavy and awkward items are a key risk in the removals sector. We aim to minimise manual lifting by planning loads carefully and using equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, ramps, furniture blankets and straps wherever appropriate.
All staff receive training in safe manual handling techniques, including correct lifting posture, team lifting, assessment of load weight and stability, and the importance of not attempting lifts that exceed their physical capability. Where an item is too heavy or unsafe to move manually, additional help, equipment or alternative methods will be arranged.
We encourage staff to stop and reassess any lift or manoeuvre if they are unsure or feel it cannot be completed safely.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are maintained in safe and roadworthy condition, with regular checks and servicing. Drivers must carry out basic safety inspections before each journey and report any defects immediately so that remedial action can be taken.
Drivers are required to comply with all traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations, and to drive defensively with consideration for other road users. Journey planning should take account of time pressures so that drivers are not encouraged to speed or take unnecessary risks.
Loads are secured in the vehicle to prevent movement during transport. Items are positioned and restrained in a way that reduces the risk of damage and improves stability, while maintaining safe access and egress for staff.
Use of Equipment
We provide suitable equipment for moving and protecting goods, including trolleys, straps, blankets, ramps and other lifting aids. All equipment must be inspected by staff before use and taken out of service if damaged or defective.
Only trained and authorised staff may use specialised equipment. We ensure that instructions and safety information are available and that equipment is used only for its intended purpose.
Customer and Public Safety
We take steps to ensure that our activities do not put customers, neighbours or members of the public at risk. This may include cordoning off work areas where possible, managing vehicle movements at busy times and keeping access routes clear.
We communicate clearly with customers about any temporary restrictions, trip hazards or other safety considerations, particularly when we are operating in shared spaces such as communal hallways, pavements or car parks.
Work Environment and Housekeeping
We aim to maintain tidy work areas to reduce slips, trips and falls. Packaging materials, tools and equipment are stored safely when not in use, and waste is cleared promptly.
During removals, staff are instructed to keep walkways, stairs and exits clear of boxes and furniture wherever reasonably practicable, and to take particular care with loose coverings such as dust sheets which may present tripping hazards.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide information and training to ensure that staff understand the hazards associated with removal work and how to control them. This includes induction training, manual handling, safe driving practices, use of equipment and emergency procedures.
Training needs are reviewed periodically and when new equipment, vehicles or working methods are introduced. Less experienced staff are supervised by more experienced colleagues until they are competent to work independently.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, near misses, injuries and damage incidents must be reported promptly to management. We investigate these reports to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
We treat incident reporting as a positive tool for learning rather than assigning blame. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and used to improve our systems and practices over time.
Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work
We recognise the physical demands of removal work and encourage staff to look after their health and wellbeing. Staff are expected to inform management of any medical conditions, injuries or fatigue that may affect their ability to work safely.
We do not tolerate working under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Anyone suspected of being unfit for work will be removed from duty.
Review of this Policy
This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and appropriate for the nature and scale of our operations. Updates may be made in response to changes in law, guidance, company structure, equipment or work practices.
By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Man with Van Fulwell aims to deliver professional removal services while protecting the health and safety of everyone affected by our work.
