Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Mill Hill

Man with Van Mill Hill is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with house moves, office removals, transport and loading operations carried out within our service areas.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and property damage arising from our work. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing sensible control measures tailored to the specific demands of moving and transportation work.

Health and safety is an integral part of our planning and decision making. We will provide appropriate resources, information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that our staff can work safely and that our services are delivered responsibly.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

The management of Man with Van Mill Hill has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented, reviewed and updated in line with changes to legislation, guidance or working practices.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day to day implementation of safety procedures, including conducting checks on vehicles and equipment, allocating suitable staff to tasks, and monitoring compliance with safe working methods. They are required to report any incidents, near misses or hazards so that corrective action can be taken.

All employees, contractors and helpers have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must cooperate with management by following safe systems of work, using equipment correctly, and promptly reporting hazards or concerns.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our main activities, including vehicle loading and unloading, lifting and carrying items, working in confined or awkward spaces, operating in shared access areas and moving goods in and out of properties. These risk assessments are used to develop safe systems of work that are communicated to staff.

Where a particular move presents unusual risks, such as restricted access, high value or fragile items, or especially heavy loads, we will review the specific circumstances and, where appropriate, adjust staffing levels, equipment or methods before work begins.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Lifting and carrying is at the core of our work and is a key area of risk. We are committed to minimising manual handling injuries by:

Providing staff with instruction and training on correct lifting techniques, team lifts and the use of handling aids. Assessing loads before moving them and refusing to lift items that are unsafe or beyond reasonable capability. Using suitable equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, straps and furniture blankets where appropriate. Planning routes within properties to avoid unnecessary carrying, twisting or lifting over obstacles.

All equipment is inspected regularly and removed from use if defective. Staff must not improvise with makeshift equipment and must only use items they are trained and authorised to use.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and are maintained in a roadworthy condition. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, securing points and loading areas. Any faults are reported immediately and the vehicle is not used if it is unsafe.

Drivers are required to hold valid licences and to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations. They must drive to the conditions, taking particular care when manoeuvring in residential streets, near schools, commercial premises and shared driveways. Loads must be properly secured to prevent movement or falling objects during transit.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility towards customers, neighbours and members of the public while working at or near their premises. Our staff must show consideration for others and take steps to minimise risk, including:

Keeping access routes as clear as reasonably practicable and avoiding trip hazards such as loose packing materials or trailing straps. Using caution when moving items through doorways, stairways and shared corridors. Communicating with customers about any temporary restrictions to access or parking required to complete the move safely. Avoiding blocking pavements or emergency access points wherever possible and moving vehicles if instructed by appropriate authorities.

Housekeeping and Control of Hazards

Good housekeeping is important for safe removals. Waste materials such as packaging, shrink wrap and discarded fixings are collected and removed from site at the end of the job. Spills or breakages are dealt with promptly to reduce slip and trip risks.

Where we identify additional hazards, such as damaged steps, broken handrails or loose floor coverings, we will highlight them to the customer and adjust our working methods as necessary. If conditions are judged to be unsafe and cannot be controlled, work may be delayed or suspended until it is safe to continue.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide staff with appropriate training related to their duties, including induction training, manual handling awareness, basic vehicle safety and customer care. Information on risks and controls is given through briefings, toolbox talks and written guidance.

New or less experienced staff work under closer supervision until they have demonstrated competence. Supervisors monitor working practices on site, correct unsafe behaviour and reinforce our commitment to safe and respectful service.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We expect staff to present for work in a fit state, free from the influence of alcohol or drugs. Anyone who may be unfit for work, including due to illness, injury or fatigue, must report this so that adjustments can be considered. Suitable breaks are taken in line with working time requirements and to ensure staff remain alert and effective.

Where personal protective equipment is required, such as gloves or safety footwear, it is provided or specified as part of our working arrangements, and staff are required to use it correctly.

Accident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record and investigate incidents to identify causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence. This may include changes to procedures, additional training or the introduction of new equipment.

We are committed to continual improvement in our health and safety performance. This policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legal requirements or industry best practice. Staff are encouraged to contribute ideas and raise concerns so that we can maintain safe removal services across our operating areas.