Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van East Dulwich
Man with Van East Dulwich 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 transportation services. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with household moves, small office relocations, furniture transport and related loading, unloading and driving activities.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and maintain the highest practical standards of safety throughout every move. We aim to identify and control hazards associated with lifting, carrying, handling goods, vehicle use and working in and around client premises, streets, entrances, stairways and loading areas.
We comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry good practice, and we review our arrangements regularly to support continuous improvement across our moving and transport services.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man with Van East Dulwich is responsible for implementing this Health and Safety policy, providing the resources needed to maintain safe operations and monitoring performance. Managers will ensure that:
All staff receive appropriate health and safety information, instruction and training relevant to their role in removals and van driving. Safe systems of work and lifting procedures are developed, communicated and followed. Vehicles and equipment used for moving and transporting goods are maintained in a safe condition. Risk assessments are carried out for typical removal tasks and for any non-routine or higher-risk jobs. Accidents, near misses and incidents are reported, recorded and investigated, and corrective actions are taken.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee and regular contractor has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Personnel must:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided by Man with Van East Dulwich. Use supplied equipment correctly and avoid improvising unsafe methods for lifting or moving items. Report any hazards, unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, road safety concerns or incidents to management without delay. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear suitable for handling and moving items in domestic and commercial environments. Refrain from working under the influence of alcohol or drugs and declare any medical conditions that may affect safe performance of removal duties.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We undertake risk assessments covering typical man and van activities such as dismantling and assembling furniture, carrying bulky or heavy items, using trolleys, working on staircases and loading or unloading vehicles on streets and driveways. For each job, our team will consider access routes, parking arrangements, manual handling requirements, building features, environmental conditions and any special client instructions.
Safe working practices may include planning the sequence of work, using additional staff for heavier items, breaking down loads into manageable parts, using mechanical aids where practicable, and arranging safer parking or loading positions to reduce risk to staff and the public.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling and lifting are central to our moving services. We take particular care to minimise the risk of strains, sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, including assessing the load, keeping it close to the body, maintaining stable footing and avoiding twisting while carrying.
Where an item is too heavy or awkward for one person, team lifting procedures are followed. If an item is beyond safe manual handling capacity or presents an unusual risk, we will discuss alternative solutions with the client, which may include additional labour, equipment or a revised method of transport.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our drivers are responsible for operating vehicles safely and courteously. Vehicles are checked regularly to ensure that lights, brakes, tyres and securing points are in good working order. Loads must be evenly distributed and properly secured to prevent movement during transit, protecting both the load and other road users.
Drivers must obey speed limits, parking regulations and road traffic laws at all times, and they should plan routes to allow sufficient time for safe travel. The use of mobile phones or handheld devices while driving is prohibited. Any collision, incident or defect affecting the vehicle or its safety must be reported immediately.
Client Premises and Public Safety
When working at client homes, apartments, offices or shared buildings, our teams will take care to protect both people and property. This includes maintaining clear access routes where possible, controlling trip hazards such as cables or packing materials, and using care when moving items near doors, windows, fixtures and fittings.
We will be mindful of neighbours, pedestrians and other building users, particularly when operating near entrances, stairwells, lifts and communal areas. Where necessary, we may temporarily restrict access to a specific area while heavy or bulky items are being moved.
Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment
Equipment such as trolleys, straps, blankets and basic tools must be kept in good condition and used only for their intended purpose. Defective equipment must be removed from service and reported to management for repair or replacement.
Where appropriate, staff may be provided with personal protective equipment such as gloves or high-visibility garments for working near roads or in low visibility conditions. Such equipment must be worn and maintained in accordance with instructions.
Training, Communication and Supervision
Man with Van East Dulwich provides initial and ongoing training to ensure staff are competent in safe lifting, loading, driving practices and hazard awareness. New employees are given specific induction training covering our Health and Safety policy, emergency procedures and reporting arrangements.
Regular communication between management and staff is encouraged so that any safety concerns can be raised and addressed promptly. Supervisors or team leaders monitor on-site activities, particularly for complex or higher-risk moves.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We maintain records of such events and review them to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
In the event of an emergency such as fire, serious injury, road traffic incident or structural concern at a property, our staff will follow established procedures, prioritising the safety of people, contacting the emergency services where required and notifying management and the client.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed periodically or when there are significant changes to our services, legislation or operational risks. Updated versions are communicated to employees and made available to clients on request.
By instructing Man with Van East Dulwich, clients can be assured that health, safety and responsible working practices are integral to the way we deliver our removal and transport services.
