Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Upton Park
Man with Van Upton Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy sets out the principles and arrangements we follow to manage health and safety in a professional and responsible way across our moving services.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption during every move we undertake. We aim to identify potential hazards in advance, reduce risks to an acceptable level and continually improve our practices to reflect current legislation and industry good practice for removal and delivery work.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this health and safety policy. This includes planning safe systems of work for domestic and commercial removals, ensuring vehicles and equipment are suitable and well maintained, and providing clear instructions and supervision. Management will make sure that adequate resources are available to manage health and safety effectively, and will periodically review this policy to keep it relevant to the services we provide.
Employee Responsibilities
All staff working for Man with Van Upton Park, whether permanent or temporary, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must follow all safety procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents promptly, and cooperate fully with training and instruction. No member of staff is expected to carry out any task they believe to be unsafe, and concerns will be taken seriously and addressed without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for our regular activities, including loading and unloading vehicles, moving furniture and household items, operating in homes, offices and shared areas, and driving between locations. Additional assessments may be made for unusual or higher risk items such as heavy safes, pianos or delicate equipment. The outcome of these assessments is used to develop safe working practices, including recommended team sizes, handling techniques and the use of appropriate equipment.
Where necessary, we will adjust work methods on site to take account of access issues, stairs, narrow corridors, shared driveways and other features of the property. We may refuse to undertake a task, or request additional time or personnel, if it cannot be completed safely under the conditions present.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of our work and is managed with particular care. Staff receive guidance on safe lifting and carrying techniques, including the use of leg power, maintaining good posture and working in teams for heavy or awkward loads. We use suitable equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, straps, blankets and ramps to reduce manual effort and protect both people and property.
All equipment is inspected regularly and taken out of service if faulty or damaged. Staff are instructed not to improvise with unsuitable tools or makeshift lifting methods. Items that exceed safe manual handling limits must be moved with mechanical assistance or an increased team size.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are an essential part of our service and are maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition. Drivers must hold the correct licence for the vehicle they operate and comply with all road traffic laws. Loads are secured using appropriate restraints to prevent movement during transit, and items are positioned to maintain vehicle stability and safe access when doors are opened.
Drivers are expected to plan routes to allow sufficient time, avoid unnecessary stress and reduce the temptation to take risks on the road. The use of mobile phones or other distracting devices while driving is prohibited unless using a legally compliant hands free system.
Customer and Public Safety
When working at customer premises, our teams take reasonable steps to protect everyone present. This includes keeping walkways as clear as practicable, stacking items safely, and using caution when carrying large objects through shared entrances, stairwells and pavements. Where the risk of trip or collision hazards cannot be eliminated, we will warn those nearby and, where possible, create temporary safe routes while work is in progress.
We take care to protect customer property by using covers, floor protection and appropriate packaging, which also supports safer handling and reduced risk of accidents caused by unstable or unprotected items.
Training, Information and Supervision
All staff receive information on our health and safety procedures during induction and as work practices develop. Training covers manual handling, safe loading and unloading, use of equipment, working in customers homes and driving standards where relevant. Less experienced staff are supervised by more experienced team members until they are competent to work independently.
Health and safety information is communicated in clear language, and staff are encouraged to ask questions and raise suggestions for improvement. Refresher briefings may be given following incidents, near misses or changes to our operating methods.
Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, injuries, damage and near misses are to be reported to management as soon as practicable. We record these events and investigate them to identify causes and implement corrective actions. Lessons learned are shared with the team to prevent recurrence and to promote a culture of openness and continuous improvement rather than blame.
Welfare, Fitness for Work and Substance Misuse
We recognise that the physical nature of removal work requires staff to be fit for the duties they undertake. Employees are expected to present themselves to work in a suitable condition, including appropriate clothing and footwear, and to notify management of any health issues that could affect their safety or that of others. Working under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited. The misuse of prescription medication that may impair safe working or driving is also not permitted.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Man with Van Upton Park is committed to reviewing and improving this health and safety policy on a regular basis, and whenever there are significant changes in legislation, operations or identified risks. We welcome feedback from customers, staff and other parties on how our safety performance can be enhanced. By working together, we aim to deliver an efficient, reliable and safe removal service across our operating area.
