Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van South Norwood
Man with Van South Norwood is committed to providing safe, reliable and professional removal services for homes, flats, offices and small commercial moves. This Health and Safety Policy sets out how we protect our customers, our team members and the public while carrying out collection, loading, transport and delivery of goods in our service area.
We comply with relevant health and safety principles and good practice within the removals and light transport sector. All work is planned and completed in a way that minimises risks of injury, illness, damage to property and disruption to the local environment.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to prevent accidents, protect the health of our workers and customers, and ensure that every job is carried out as safely as reasonably practicable. We aim to:
Identify and control health and safety risks arising from our work activities. Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and working methods. Ensure staff are trained and competent in manual handling and safe driving. Communicate clearly with customers about access, parking and safety considerations. Review and improve our safety standards on a regular basis.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for putting appropriate safety arrangements in place for all removal and man and van jobs. This includes:
Assessing risks associated with each job, taking into account access, parking, type of items, and building layout. Providing staff with guidance on safe loading, unloading and securing of items. Ensuring vehicles are roadworthy, clean and appropriately equipped with securing straps and blankets where required. Monitoring working hours to reduce fatigue and encourage safe driving practices. Reviewing incidents, near misses or customer feedback and taking corrective action where needed.
Employee Responsibilities
All workers engaged by Man with Van South Norwood, whether full time, part time or temporary, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Workers are required to:
Follow all instructions, training and safe working procedures provided. Use equipment properly and report any defects immediately. Assess the weight and shape of items before lifting or carrying. Ask for assistance or use handling aids where the load is heavy, awkward or unstable. Keep work areas, pathways and vehicle loading areas as clear as possible. Wear suitable clothing and footwear that provides good grip and protection. Report any accidents, injuries or near misses during a job.
Customer Responsibilities
To help us carry out removal services safely and efficiently, customers are asked to cooperate with the following:
Provide accurate information about the items to be moved, including any unusually heavy, fragile or high value objects. Ensure safe access to the property, including clear pathways, stairways and corridors. Inform us in advance of any access restrictions, such as height limits, narrow roads, parking controls or difficult staircases. Secure pets and keep children away from loading and unloading areas while work is taking place. Ensure that car parks, driveways or loading bays are accessible and safe for the vehicle to use.
Safe Lifting and Handling
Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and is managed with care to avoid back injuries, strains and other musculoskeletal problems. Our approach includes:
Assessing the weight, size and stability of items before lifting. Avoiding lifting loads that are beyond a single person’s capability. Using team lifting for heavy or bulky items and using handling aids where appropriate. Keeping loads close to the body and avoiding twisting movements while carrying. Taking extra care on stairs, ramps and uneven surfaces, including slowing pace and maintaining good communication between team members.
Vehicle Safety and Loading
Our vehicles are central to our service and are operated with safety as the first priority. We will:
Carry out routine checks on tyres, brakes, lights and securing points. Load vehicles so that goods are stable, distributed evenly and adequately secured. Avoid overloading vehicles beyond their rated capacity. Use appropriate securing methods to minimise movement of items during transit. Park safely and legally, choosing locations that minimise risk to the public, pedestrians and other road users.
Working in Homes, Offices and Shared Buildings
Our work frequently takes place in residential streets, apartment blocks, business premises and shared access buildings. To protect everyone present, we:
Plan routes through the building to reduce congestion and hazards. Keep doors, stairs and corridors as free from obstacles as practicable. Use extra caution in communal areas, respecting neighbours and other occupants. Communicate clearly with customers and building users when moving large or awkward items. Take particular care when working near glass doors, low ceilings, sharp corners, or delicate surfaces.
Hazardous Items and Restricted Goods
For safety reasons, certain items may not be suitable for transport within a standard man and van service. This can include flammable substances, corrosive materials, gas bottles and other hazardous goods. Customers must declare any such items in advance. We reserve the right to refuse transportation of items that present an unacceptable risk to staff, vehicles, customers or the public.
Accidents, Incidents and First Aid
Any accident, near miss or damage to property that occurs during a job must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practical. Details of what happened, where and when, and any injuries or damage will be recorded and reviewed so that lessons can be learned and future incidents reduced.
Our aim is to maintain at least basic first aid provision while working and to seek prompt medical assistance whenever required.
Training, Communication and Review
We are committed to ongoing health and safety training and to making sure that all workers understand their responsibilities. This includes:
Induction training on manual handling, vehicle safety and customer interaction. Refreshers where needed, particularly after incidents or changes in procedures. Encouraging team members to raise concerns or suggestions for safety improvements. Periodic review of this Health and Safety Policy to reflect changes in our services, legal duties, and industry good practice.
By following this policy and working in partnership with our customers, Man with Van South Norwood aims to provide a safe, efficient and well managed removal service throughout our operating area.
