Man With A Van Lee Health And Safety Policy

Man With A Van Lee is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our workers, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in all aspects of our operations, including domestic and commercial moves, collection and delivery, loading and unloading, and short-term storage handling.

We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice. We aim to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental impact arising from our work, and to promote a positive safety culture across our team.

Our Health And Safety Commitments

Man With A Van Lee will:

Identify, assess and control risks linked to our removal services, including manual handling, use of vehicles, use of equipment and work at customer premises.

Provide clear instructions, information, training and supervision so that all workers are competent to carry out their duties safely.

Maintain vehicles, lifting aids and equipment in a safe and serviceable condition through regular inspection and maintenance.

Plan each move carefully to minimise hazards when handling furniture, appliances and personal belongings in homes, offices and communal areas.

Consult and communicate with workers on health and safety matters and encourage feedback to improve our practices.

Review this policy regularly and revise it when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, operations or best practice.

Responsibilities For Health And Safety

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the owner or designated manager of Man With A Van Lee. They are responsible for ensuring that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy and that health and safety considerations are built into all operational decisions.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day implementation of this policy on jobs, including carrying out task-specific risk assessments where required, briefing team members, checking equipment and ensuring safe working methods are followed.

All workers, whether employed or subcontracted, have a duty to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all safety instructions, procedures, training and method statements given by Man With A Van Lee.

Use equipment, tools and personal protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately.

Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions and health concerns without delay so that corrective actions can be taken.

Risk Assessment And Safe Working Practices

Before undertaking removal work, we assess the hazards associated with the task, location and load. This includes considering access routes, staircases, lifts, parking arrangements, weather conditions, time constraints, the weight and shape of items, and any fragile or hazardous materials.

Where significant risks are identified, appropriate control measures are put in place. These may include the use of extra personnel for heavy or awkward items, use of trolleys or lifting aids, protective coverings for floors and furniture, and additional time allowances for safe working.

Safe systems of work are communicated to the team during pre-job briefings. Where conditions change during the job, workers are expected to pause, reassess and agree a safe alternative method before proceeding.

Manual Handling And Use Of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. We:

Provide training on correct lifting and carrying techniques and on team handling for large or heavy items.

Discourage lone handling of bulky items and require two-person lifting where appropriate.

Use trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling aids wherever practical.

Avoid excessive lifting by planning load distribution in vehicles and minimising unnecessary movement of items.

Workers are instructed not to exceed their personal lifting capabilities and to request assistance when needed. All equipment is inspected regularly and taken out of service if damaged or defective.

Vehicle Safety And Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our removal services and are operated with safety as the priority. We:

Ensure vehicles are roadworthy through regular checks, servicing and inspection.

Require drivers to hold the appropriate licence and to follow all road traffic laws.

Secure loads properly to prevent movement during transit and reduce the risk of injury or damage when doors are opened.

Plan routes to allow realistic travel times, avoiding unnecessary pressure on drivers.

Drivers must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that may impair their ability to drive safely and must report any medical conditions affecting their fitness to drive.

Customer Premises And Public Safety

When working in homes, offices or shared buildings, we take steps to protect customers, residents, staff and visitors. This includes:

Maintaining clear access routes and avoiding trip hazards from tools, packing materials and loose items.

Using warning signs or verbal warnings where work may affect others, for example when carrying large items through shared corridors.

Protecting property by using blankets, covers and appropriate handling methods to avoid damage to fixtures, fittings and surfaces.

Maintaining professional conduct at all times and respecting household rules and building regulations that relate to safety.

Accidents, Incidents And First Aid

All accidents, injuries, near misses and damage incidents that occur during our operations must be reported to the manager or supervisor as soon as possible. Details are recorded so that we can understand the causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Basic first aid supplies are carried on vehicles or made available on site where practical. Workers are informed how to access first aid and how to summon emergency services if required.

Training, Communication And Review

Health and safety induction is provided to new workers and is followed by ongoing training relevant to their role, such as manual handling, safe loading, working in confined spaces and dealing with challenging access conditions.

We communicate safety information through briefings, instructions and updates when new equipment, procedures or risks are introduced. Workers are encouraged to raise suggestions for improving safety practices.

This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes to our services, legislation or industry guidance. The latest version is made available to workers and to clients on request so that our approach to safe removals is transparent and clearly understood.