Man With a Van Surrey Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Surrey 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 transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the standards and procedures we follow to minimise risks, prevent accidents, and promote safe working practices during all stages of our services.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The primary aim of this policy is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of everyone involved in or affected by our work. To achieve this, Man With a Van Surrey will:

Identify, assess, and control risks associated with lifting, loading, transport, and access to properties.

Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practices.

Provide and maintain safe equipment, vehicles, and working methods.

Deliver appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision to all team members.

Promote a positive health and safety culture where everyone understands their responsibilities.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Surrey has overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:

Ensuring risk assessments are carried out regularly and findings are acted upon.

Providing suitable resources for health and safety, including training and equipment.

Maintaining safe systems of work for packing, moving, loading, unloading, and transport.

Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses to prevent recurrence.

Reviewing this policy periodically and revising it as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, working practices, or company operations.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee of Man With a Van Surrey has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are required to:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and risk control measures.

Use equipment, vehicles, and protective gear only as trained and intended.

Report hazards, unsafe conditions, or defects immediately to their supervisor.

Cooperate fully with health and safety training, briefings, and investigations.

Refrain from any behaviour that could cause harm, including horseplay or misuse of equipment.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before commencing any removal work, a dynamic risk assessment is carried out to identify potential hazards such as restricted access, stairs, uneven surfaces, traffic, and weather conditions. Control measures are then put in place, which may include:

Planning safe routes for carrying items in and out of properties.

Using appropriate lifting techniques and team lifting for heavy or bulky objects.

Employing moving aids where suitable, such as sack trucks and furniture dollies.

Ensuring vehicles are parked and loaded safely, with ramps or steps used where necessary.

Adjusting the task or rescheduling where conditions present unacceptable risk.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core element of removal work, and special attention is given to avoiding injury from lifting and carrying. Man With a Van Surrey ensures that:

All staff receive training in safe manual handling techniques, including assessing load weight, posture, and route.

Loads are broken down into smaller, manageable items wherever practicable.

Team lifting is used for heavy, large, or awkward objects.

Staff are encouraged to stop and seek assistance whenever a lift feels unsafe.

Mechanical aids are used when suitable and available to reduce strain.

Vehicles, Equipment, and Maintenance

Our vehicles and equipment are essential to safe operations and are maintained in good working order. Man With a Van Surrey will:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained.

Check tyres, brakes, lights, and securing points before use.

Provide appropriate securing straps, blankets, and other protective materials.

Ensure loading is balanced and secured to prevent movement during transit.

Remove from service any equipment or vehicle that is found to be unsafe until repaired or replaced.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where necessary, personal protective equipment is provided to reduce residual risk. This may include safety footwear, gloves, and high visibility garments when working near traffic or in low-light conditions. Employees are required to:

Wear the protective equipment provided as instructed.

Take care of equipment issued to them and report any damage or defect.

Request replacement items when protective equipment is worn or no longer effective.

Customer and Public Safety

Man With a Van Surrey takes all reasonable steps to protect customers and members of the public during removal activities. Measures include:

Keeping access routes as clear as practicable and highlighting trip hazards.

Managing loading and unloading to minimise obstruction of pavements and entrances.

Using safe reversing and parking procedures, including guidance from a second person where needed.

Handling customer belongings with care to prevent damage or spillage that could create hazards.

Training, Supervision, and Communication

Effective training and clear communication underpin safe working. Man With a Van Surrey will:

Provide induction training covering core health and safety responsibilities.

Deliver task-specific training for manual handling, use of equipment, and vehicle safety.

Supervise less experienced staff until they are deemed competent.

Hold regular safety briefings and toolbox talks to reinforce safe practices.

Encourage open communication so staff can raise concerns without fear of reprisal.

Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, incidents, and near misses must be reported promptly. This enables Man With a Van Surrey to investigate causes, identify lessons learned, and implement improvements. Accurate records are kept in accordance with legal requirements and used to monitor performance and trends.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to the nature and scale of our work. Changes in legislation, industry standards, or company operations will be reflected in updated procedures and communicated to all staff. By working together and following this policy, Man With a Van Surrey aims to maintain a safe and professional removal service for all customers.