Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Penge Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures followed by Man with Van Penge to protect the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. As a professional removal service, we recognise our responsibilities under applicable health and safety legislation and are committed to continually improving our safety standards.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The aim of this policy is to provide a safe working environment for all persons affected by our activities. Our objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption to our operations. We will achieve this by planning and carrying out our work safely, assessing risks, and ensuring our staff are trained and competent to perform their duties.

This policy applies to all staff and operatives engaged by Man with Van Penge, whether permanent, temporary or subcontracted, and to all removal and delivery activities undertaken at client properties, business premises, storage locations, and during transit.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man with Van Penge holds overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. Management will provide the resources, information, instruction and supervision necessary to ensure that work is carried out without unacceptable risk.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for:

Ensuring that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for our removal operations and that control measures are implemented and reviewed regularly.

Providing staff with appropriate training, including manual handling, use of equipment, safe driving practices and site-specific safety requirements.

Maintaining vehicles, lifting aids and equipment in safe working order and arranging regular inspection and servicing.

Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses, identifying causes and implementing corrective actions.

Reviewing the Health and Safety Policy periodically and updating it where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, operations or best practice.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and operatives have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff must cooperate fully with management in implementing this policy and must:

Follow all safety instructions, training and procedures relevant to their work.

Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly and report any defects or concerns immediately.

Refrain from taking unnecessary risks, horseplay or unsafe shortcuts when carrying out removals.

Report all accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards to management as soon as possible.

Maintain a professional standard of conduct, including not working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that could impair judgement or performance.

Risk Assessments and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our services, including household removals, commercial relocations and deliveries. These assessments identify significant hazards, such as manual handling, slips and trips, vehicle movements, working in confined spaces, and work at height when loading or unloading vehicles.

Control measures are implemented to reduce risk to an acceptable level. These may include planning safe access routes, using appropriate lifting equipment, limiting load weights, team lifting techniques, securing loads safely within vehicles, and ensuring that floors, pathways and ramps are kept clear and in good condition.

Where site-specific risks are identified at a customer location, our team will adapt working methods accordingly, and if work cannot be carried out safely, it will be postponed until a safe method can be agreed.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our removal activities, and it is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. All staff receive appropriate manual handling training to ensure they know how to lift, carry and manoeuvre items safely, assess the weight and stability of loads, and use team lifting when required.

Mechanical aids such as sack trucks, trolleys, dollies, straps and ramps are provided where appropriate. Staff must use these aids correctly and follow all safety guidance regarding their operation and limitations. Items that are excessively heavy, awkward or unstable will not be moved without a safe method being established.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in safe working condition and are regularly checked for roadworthiness. Drivers are responsible for conducting pre-use checks and reporting any defects immediately. Loads must be evenly distributed and adequately secured before the vehicle moves off.

All driving must be carried out in accordance with road traffic law and safe driving standards. Speed limits must be observed, and drivers must take breaks as necessary to avoid fatigue. Use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving is strictly prohibited, except where hands-free systems are used in accordance with the law and company guidelines.

Customer and Public Safety

We take care to protect the safety of customers, visitors and members of the public during removal activities. Where practical, we will set up safe working areas, maintain clear walkways, and minimise obstructions. Customers will be advised to keep children and pets away from loading and unloading areas while work is in progress.

We handle customers property with care to avoid damage and will not place items where they could create tripping hazards or unsafe loads on shelves or furniture. When moving items in shared spaces such as stairwells, corridors and car parks, our staff will work with consideration for other users and will pause work if safe passage cannot be maintained.

Welfare, Health and Fitness for Work

Man with Van Penge recognises the importance of welfare and fitness for work in maintaining safety. Staff are encouraged to report any health conditions that could affect their ability to carry out manual handling or driving tasks safely. Reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate.

We expect all staff to present themselves fit for duty and to comply with any medical or occupational health advice relevant to their role. Dehydration, fatigue and stress can all increase the risk of accidents, and staff are encouraged to take suitable breaks and stay hydrated during demanding work.

Training, Communication and Policy Review

Health and safety training is provided at induction and refreshed as necessary. Additional training is arranged when new equipment, vehicles or procedures are introduced. Safety information and updates are communicated through briefings and ongoing supervision.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever significant changes occur in our operations or legal requirements. Any updates will be communicated to all staff, and they are required to familiarise themselves with the current version.

By following this policy, Man with Van Penge aims to provide a reliable, professional and safe removal service for all customers while protecting our staff and the wider community.