Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Aldgate

Man With a Van Aldgate is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, unloading and transporting goods for residential and commercial clients.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We aim to conduct all removal services in a way that prevents injury, ill health, property damage and disruption. To achieve this, we will identify and control risks arising from our day to day operations, including packing, handling, carrying, loading, driving and unloading. Management at all levels is responsible for promoting a positive safety culture and ensuring that safe working practices are followed at all times.

Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver man and van and removal services, and we expect all staff and contractors to cooperate fully with this policy.

Legal Responsibilities and Standards

Man With a Van Aldgate will comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards relating to manual handling, road safety, vehicle loading and unloading, and the use of work equipment. We will regularly review our procedures to ensure that our working practices reflect current guidance and support continuous improvement.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before carrying out any removal, we assess the risks associated with the property, access routes, parking arrangements, stairways, lifts and any unusual loads. Where necessary, a formal risk assessment is completed to identify potential hazards and appropriate control measures.

Typical control measures include planning safe lifting routes, using suitable equipment such as trolleys and straps, allocating sufficient staff to heavy or awkward items, and arranging parking and loading areas to minimise reversing and vehicle movement risks. Our teams follow agreed safe systems of work when dismantling, wrapping, carrying and stacking items in the vehicle.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our removal activities and is managed carefully to protect staff and customers. Our policy is to avoid hazardous manual handling wherever reasonably practicable by using mechanical aids, adjusting the task or splitting loads. Where lifting and carrying cannot be eliminated, we ensure that staff are trained in correct manual handling techniques.

We plan lifting tasks in advance, taking into account the weight and shape of items such as furniture, appliances, boxes and bulky goods. Where a load is too heavy or awkward for one person, team lifting procedures are followed. Staff are instructed never to take unnecessary risks, and to stop and reassess if a task appears unsafe.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our removal vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, mirrors, securing points and access steps.

Drivers are responsible for operating vehicles safely, respecting speed limits, driving appropriately for road and weather conditions, and following safe loading and load securing practices. Loads are evenly distributed and properly restrained to prevent movement during transit, protecting both our staff and other road users.

Equipment and Personal Protective Gear

Where appropriate, we provide equipment such as sack trucks, moving dollies, furniture blankets, straps and ramps to reduce manual handling risks and protect property. All equipment is inspected regularly and removed from use if found to be defective.

Staff may be issued with personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear and high visibility garments, depending on the nature of the job and working environment. Employees are expected to use this equipment correctly and report any damage or defects immediately.

Customer and Public Safety

During removal work we take active steps to protect customers, their property and members of the public. This includes keeping access routes clear, managing trip hazards such as loose packaging materials, and controlling vehicle movements in and out of loading areas.

We will, where possible, agree safe loading and unloading points with customers in advance and inform them of any precautions they should take while our team is on site. We take particular care in shared entrances, communal areas, narrow streets and busy pedestrian locations.

Training, Information and Supervision

All employees receive suitable induction and ongoing training relevant to their role. This may include manual handling techniques, safe use of equipment, working in confined or elevated spaces, vehicle safety and emergency procedures. Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure that training is applied in practice.

We provide clear instructions and information about each move, including any identified risks and the measures in place to manage them. Staff are encouraged to raise safety concerns and suggest improvements to our procedures.

Accident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, near misses, damage to property and incidents involving vehicles or equipment must be reported as soon as reasonably practicable. We record and investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Lessons learned from incidents are communicated to relevant staff and reflected in updated risk assessments, training and working methods.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and take steps to protect the health and welfare of our staff. Employees are expected to attend work fit for duty and to report any health issues or injuries that may affect their ability to carry out tasks safely. We will consider reasonable adjustments to duties where appropriate.

We do not tolerate the use of alcohol or illegal substances during working hours or in a way that could affect safe performance of duties. Any concerns about fitness to drive or operate equipment must be reported immediately.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man With a Van Aldgate is committed to continually improving its health and safety performance. We review this policy on a regular basis, and whenever there are significant changes to our services, working practices, vehicles or equipment. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and considered as part of this process.

This Health and Safety policy is communicated to all staff and is available to customers on request. By working together and following the principles set out above, we aim to deliver removal services that are efficient, reliable and, above all, safe.