Health and Safety policy
Man with Van Preston Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Preston is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy outlines our approach to managing risks associated with household moves, office removals, delivery services and related van operations.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our principal objectives are to prevent injury, ill health and property damage, and to promote a culture where safety is an integral part of every removal and transport task. We aim to:
Identify and manage hazards linked to lifting, carrying, driving, loading and unloading.
Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry guidance.
Ensure that our staff are competent and properly trained for the work they undertake.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and working methods.
Continuously improve our performance through review and consultation.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Man with Van Preston accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the business. Management will:
Set clear standards for safe working practices during removals and transport operations.
Carry out and regularly review risk assessments for typical moving tasks and environments.
Provide information, instruction and supervision to ensure safe working conditions.
Ensure that all vehicles used for removal services are maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition.
Investigate accidents, near misses and incidents, and implement corrective actions.
Allocate appropriate resources to support health and safety measures.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular helpers share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Every member of the team must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions.
Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided by the company.
Use vehicles, tools and equipment only for their intended purpose and in a safe manner.
Report any hazards, defects, accidents or near misses to management as soon as possible.
Wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment where required.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We conduct risk assessments for common removal scenarios, including domestic moves, office relocations, loading and unloading of large items, and work in confined or shared spaces. These assessments consider manual handling, vehicle movement, working at height, access routes, weather conditions and interaction with the public.
Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments. Team members are briefed on specific site conditions before work begins, and adjustments are made if risks change during the job. Where necessary, we may delay, re-plan or refuse a task if it cannot be carried out safely.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and presents significant risk if not managed properly. To reduce the risk of strain, sprain and other injuries, Man with Van Preston:
Trains staff in correct lifting and carrying techniques.
Encourages the use of handling aids such as trolleys, dollies and lifting straps where appropriate.
Plans routes for carrying items to avoid steps, obstacles and uneven surfaces where possible.
Requires two-person lifts for heavy, bulky or awkward items.
Assesses whether any item exceeds safe manual handling limits and arranges alternative methods where needed.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our van operations are managed to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers, customers and other road users. We:
Maintain all vehicles to a high standard, with regular checks and servicing.
Ensure that loads are distributed evenly and secured correctly to prevent movement during transit.
Require drivers to hold the appropriate licence, follow traffic laws and operate vehicles responsibly.
Discourage rushing, speeding or unsafe manoeuvres in order to meet deadlines.
Plan routes to reduce unnecessary mileage and driving under pressure.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, neighbours and the general public during removal work. Our teams:
Take care to protect floors, walls, staircases and doorways from damage where reasonably practicable.
Keep access routes as clear as possible and signpost or highlight trip hazards when they cannot be removed immediately.
Coordinate with customers to manage pets, children and visitors away from high-risk work areas.
Park vehicles considerately, aiming to minimise obstruction to traffic, pedestrians and emergency access.
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
We provide suitable tools and equipment to support safe removal work. This may include moving blankets, straps, ramps, trolleys and other handling aids. All equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if found to be defective.
Where risks cannot be fully eliminated, we provide personal protective equipment such as gloves or safety footwear. Staff are instructed in its correct use and are expected to wear it when required.
Training, Information and Supervision
Training is essential to safe working. Man with Van Preston provides induction and ongoing training covering:
Manual handling techniques and safe lifting practices.
Vehicle safety, loading and unloading procedures.
Use and care of equipment and protective gear.
Hazard recognition, reporting and emergency actions.
Less experienced staff are supervised and supported by senior team members until they are competent to work with greater independence.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record and review these events, identify root causes and put in place measures to prevent recurrence.
Our teams are briefed on emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of injury, fire, collision or sudden illness. First aid supplies are kept in vehicles, and assistance from emergency services is sought without delay when required.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Man with Van Preston is committed to continual improvement in health and safety. We review this policy at regular intervals, and sooner if there are significant changes in legislation, operations or identified risks. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and used to enhance our practices.
By following this Health and Safety Policy, we aim to deliver a professional, reliable and safe removal and transport service for every customer we serve.
