Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Clapham Common

Man With a Van Clapham Common is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team, our customers and any members of the public affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with house moves, office moves, collections, deliveries and related services.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property by planning our work carefully, training our staff and maintaining our vehicles and equipment to a high standard. Health and safety considerations are integrated into every stage of our operations, from initial booking to completion of the job.

We review this policy regularly and update our procedures as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice and the way we deliver our services.

Responsibilities

The overall responsibility for health and safety within Man With a Van Clapham Common rests with the business owner and management. They are responsible for ensuring that appropriate systems are in place to identify and control risks associated with removal and transport work.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy on a day-to-day basis, including carrying out checks before work begins, monitoring working conditions on site and ensuring that staff follow agreed procedures.

Every employee and contractor working with us has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All team members must cooperate with management, follow safety instructions, use equipment correctly and report any hazards, incidents or near misses immediately.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before every removal or transport job, we consider the potential hazards and take appropriate steps to control them. This includes assessing access routes, stairs, lifts, parking, loading areas, weather conditions and the type, size and weight of items to be moved.

Where necessary, we will adjust the size of the team, the time allowed for the job, the type of vehicle and the equipment required in order to complete the work safely. If, on arrival, we identify risks that were not apparent at the booking stage, we may pause work while we reassess the situation and, if needed, agree revised arrangements with the customer.

Safe Manual Handling

Manual handling is a core part of our removal work, so particular emphasis is placed on moving and lifting safely. Our team members receive guidance on correct lifting techniques, working in pairs or teams for heavy or awkward items, and using equipment such as trolleys, dollies and straps when appropriate.

We do not expect our staff to lift items that are beyond their capability or that could reasonably be moved more safely using mechanical aids. Customers are encouraged to inform us in advance of any especially heavy, fragile or high-value items so that we can plan the safest way to handle them.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are maintained and inspected on a regular basis to ensure they are roadworthy, clean and suitable for the transport of furniture, boxes and equipment. Drivers must carry out basic checks before each journey and report any concerns immediately.

All driving is carried out in accordance with road traffic laws and with consideration for other road users and pedestrians. We plan routes to allow adequate time for safe driving and loading, and we avoid unsafe parking or unloading positions, even if this means taking longer to complete a job.

Work Environment and Site Safety

When working at homes, offices, storage facilities or other premises, our team will take care to minimise risks to customers, visitors and members of the public. This includes keeping walkways as clear as reasonably possible, using safe lifting paths through the property and handling doors, gates and shared access areas with consideration.

Where there is a higher risk of trips, slips or falls, such as on wet surfaces, steep steps or uneven access paths, our team will adjust their working methods and pace to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Where conditions are judged to be unsafe, we may temporarily stop work and discuss options with the customer.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We use appropriate equipment for removal work, such as moving blankets, straps, trolleys and ramps, and we inspect these regularly for signs of damage or wear. Any defective equipment is removed from use and replaced or repaired as necessary.

Where the nature of the job requires it, staff may use personal protective equipment such as gloves or safety footwear. All team members are responsible for using any protective equipment provided in the correct way.

Customer Cooperation and Access

Safe working is a shared responsibility. We ask customers to help us carry out work safely by providing accurate information at the time of booking, ensuring suitable access to the property and advising us of any known hazards such as loose carpets, low ceilings, restricted stairways or delicate surfaces.

We may ask customers, pets and bystanders to keep clear of loading and unloading areas so that our team can work without obstruction and with reduced risk of accidents. Where the customer is packing their own items, we request that boxes are not overloaded and are sealed securely.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, near misses and damage to property are recorded and reviewed so that we can understand what happened and reduce the chance of similar incidents occurring in future. Where appropriate, we will update our procedures, provide additional training or adjust the way we plan jobs.

We encourage feedback from customers and staff on any aspect of health and safety. Comments and concerns are taken seriously and are used to improve the way we deliver our removal and man and van services.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed on a regular basis and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, relevant legislation or industry guidance. The latest version is made available to staff and is provided to customers on request.

By working together and following these principles, Man With a Van Clapham Common aims to provide a reliable, efficient and safe service for all removal and transport work in our service area.