Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Queens Park

Man with Van Queens Park 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 transport activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our commitment to managing risks associated with moving, handling, transport and related services in a systematic and responsible way.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our work. We aim to identify, assess and control hazards associated with lifting, loading, driving, working in and around properties, and operating in streets and shared spaces. We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry guidance relevant to removal and transport services.

Management will provide the resources, information, instruction, supervision and training necessary to maintain high standards of safety and wellbeing. Health and safety considerations will be integrated into planning and delivery of every job, from small man and van moves to larger removal projects.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety lies with the business owner or designated manager. They are responsible for ensuring this policy is implemented, reviewed and communicated to all staff.

Supervisors and team leaders must ensure that work is carried out in accordance with this policy, risk assessments and safe working procedures. They will monitor standards on site, correct unsafe practices and report hazards or incidents promptly.

Every employee and worker has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow training and instructions, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment and report hazards, accidents, near misses or concerns without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We undertake risk assessments for our core activities, including manual handling, loading and unloading vans, driving and parking, working at height where necessary, and working in customers homes, offices, storage facilities and communal areas. These assessments are periodically reviewed and updated when circumstances change, new equipment is introduced or following any incident.

Safe systems of work and method statements are developed from these assessments and communicated to our teams. These cover topics such as safe lifting techniques, use of trolleys and moving equipment, stacking and securing loads, safe access to properties, and vehicle safety when operating in busy urban streets and residential areas.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key risk in removal services. We minimise this risk by assessing the weight, size and shape of items before moving them, planning the route in and out of properties, and using appropriate handling aids whenever possible. Staff receive training in correct lifting posture, team lifts, avoiding twisting and overreaching, and recognising when an item is too heavy or awkward to move safely.

We provide suitable equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, straps, blankets and ramps where needed, and ensure it is maintained in good condition. Employees must report defective or damaged equipment immediately and must not improvise with unsafe tools or methods.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and inspected regularly. Drivers must conduct pre-use checks, report any defects and not operate a vehicle they believe to be unsafe. Loads must be distributed evenly and secured to prevent shifting during transit.

Drivers are required to obey road traffic laws, drive courteously and adjust their driving to conditions such as congestion, weather and road works. Fatigue, alcohol and drugs are not tolerated when driving or on duty. Journey planning should consider realistic timings and rest breaks, particularly for longer distances or multiple jobs in a single day.

Working on Customer Premises

When working in homes, offices or other premises, we will take reasonable steps to protect residents, neighbours, visitors and passers-by. This includes maintaining clear walkways, using safe lifting practices on stairs, and securing doors, gates and lifts where appropriate.

We will protect property by using suitable coverings, corner protectors and other measures to reduce the risk of damage. Breakages, damage or any safety concerns will be reported to the customer as soon as reasonably possible.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment such as safety footwear and gloves will be provided where risk assessments identify a need. Staff are required to wear and use this equipment as instructed and to take reasonable care of it. Damaged or worn PPE must be reported so that it can be replaced without delay.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive an induction that includes health and safety responsibilities, safe working procedures and emergency arrangements. Additional training is provided for tasks such as manual handling, securing loads, operating lifting aids and defensive driving as relevant to roles.

Information about risks and control measures is communicated through briefings, written procedures and on-the-job instruction. Supervisors monitor performance and provide further guidance where required.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, incidents of property damage and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We will investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Emergency procedures cover fire, vehicle breakdowns, road traffic collisions, personal injury and other foreseeable situations. Staff are briefed on how to respond, who to contact and how to protect themselves, customers and the public in an emergency.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and the importance of fitness for duty. Employees are encouraged to report any health conditions that may affect their ability to carry out tasks safely, so that reasonable adjustments can be considered.

The use of alcohol or illegal substances at work, or reporting for duty under their influence, is strictly prohibited. Where appropriate, we may seek medical or occupational health guidance to support staff and maintain safe operations.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We consult with employees on health and safety matters, encourage feedback about risks or improvements, and consider suggestions to enhance safety performance. Lessons learned from jobs, customer feedback and incident investigations are used to refine our procedures.

This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, our services or the nature of the work we undertake across our service area. The updated policy will be communicated to all employees and made available to customers on request.