Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Holborn

This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Man with Van Holborn manages the safety and wellbeing of customers, employees, subcontractors and members of the public during removals and related transport services. Our goal is to deliver efficient moving services while preventing injury, ill health and damage to property.

1. Policy Statement

Man with Van Holborn is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment. We recognise our duties under applicable health and safety laws and we actively promote good practice in all removal, loading, unloading and driving activities. Health and safety is a core part of our planning, supervision and daily operations.

We aim to identify and control risks associated with manual handling, vehicle movements, use of equipment, work at height, and the handling of customer belongings. All staff are expected to cooperate fully with this policy and follow company procedures at all times.

2. Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Holborn rests with the company management, who ensure that adequate resources, training and supervision are provided. Management are responsible for:

Carrying out and reviewing risk assessments for our services
Providing information, instruction and training to staff
Ensuring vehicles and equipment are maintained in a safe condition
Investigating accidents and near misses and implementing corrective actions
Reviewing this policy periodically to ensure it remains effective

Drivers, porters and any contractors engaged by Man with Van Holborn are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others
Using equipment correctly and following safe systems of work
Reporting hazards, incidents, defects and concerns without delay
Cooperating with management on all health and safety matters

3. Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We undertake risk assessments for typical removal and transport tasks, as well as specific jobs that present unusual or higher risks. These assessments inform our safe working practices, including:

Planning access routes to and from properties
Assessing parking, loading and unloading areas
Evaluating the weight, size and fragility of items to be moved
Considering stairs, narrow corridors and potential trip hazards
Identifying any items requiring special handling or equipment

Staff are briefed on job-specific risks before work begins. Where conditions change on site, team members are expected to stop and reassess the situation before proceeding.

4. Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and is managed carefully to avoid injury. Our approach includes:

Training staff in correct lifting techniques and team lifts
Using handling aids such as trolleys, dollies and straps where appropriate
Refusing to lift items that exceed safe individual limits or cannot be moved safely
Planning the route before moving large or heavy items to avoid sudden movements
Encouraging staff to speak up if they feel a task is unsafe or beyond their capability

We do not expect staff to take unnecessary risks, and customers may be advised when additional resources or alternative methods are needed to complete a move safely.

5. Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are essential to the service we provide and are operated with safety as a priority. Man with Van Holborn ensures that:

Vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained in line with legal requirements
Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit
Drivers hold the appropriate licences and are competent and medically fit to drive
Journey times and schedules allow for safe driving and rest breaks
Drivers follow road traffic laws and drive with courtesy and caution

Drivers are required to report any vehicle defects, collisions or near misses promptly so that preventative measures can be taken.

6. Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Any equipment supplied by Man with Van Holborn for lifting, securing or protecting goods is selected, used and maintained to minimise risks. This includes removal blankets, straps, ramps, trolleys and other tools used in the course of our work.

Personal protective equipment may be used where appropriate, such as protective footwear and gloves. Staff are instructed in the correct use of such equipment and are expected to wear it whenever required for their safety.

7. Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our duty to safeguard customers and members of the public during removal operations. To achieve this, we:

Plan loading and unloading areas to minimise obstruction and confusion
Keep access routes as clear as reasonably possible during the work
Communicate clearly with customers about any hazards or restrictions
Take care when moving goods through communal areas and shared spaces
Act promptly to control spills, debris and other hazards as they arise

We may temporarily restrict access to certain areas while heavy or awkward items are being moved to protect all parties from harm.

8. Training, Communication and Consultation

Man with Van Holborn provides ongoing training so that staff understand their responsibilities and are competent to carry out their roles safely. This may include induction training, on-the-job coaching, toolbox talks and refresher sessions.

We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Staff are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and report incidents without fear of unfair treatment. Lessons learned from incidents and feedback are incorporated into our procedures.

9. Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and damage to property must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to respond appropriately, assist anyone affected and prevent recurrence.

Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as fire, serious injury, road traffic collisions and hazardous conditions. Staff are instructed to prioritise personal safety and the safety of others, contact the emergency services where necessary, and follow any site-specific rules.

10. Monitoring, Review and Policy Availability

We monitor our health and safety performance through incident reports, staff feedback and periodic reviews of risk assessments and working practices. This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes to our operations, legislation or identified risks.

This policy is available to employees, customers, subcontractors and any other interested parties who wish to understand how Man with Van Holborn manages health and safety in its removal and transport services.