Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Finsbury Park Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Finsbury Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures that guide our operations and reflects our commitment to continual improvement in all aspects of safety.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

The main objectives of this policy are to prevent injury, protect property, and promote safe working practices across all removal and transport services. We aim to identify and control hazards associated with lifting, loading, driving, and working in and around properties, vehicles, and public areas. We strive to ensure that all work is carried out in compliance with applicable health and safety laws and recognised industry standards for moving and handling.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Finsbury Park has overall responsibility for the effective implementation of this policy. This includes ensuring that appropriate resources are available for health and safety, such as equipment, training, and supervision. Managers are responsible for planning work so that safety risks are minimised, carrying out risk assessments, and reviewing safe systems of work. Management will regularly monitor performance, investigate incidents and near misses, and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors 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 follow all training, instructions, and safe working procedures provided by the company. This includes correctly using equipment, reporting defects or hazards, wearing appropriate clothing and protective items where required, and immediately reporting accidents, injuries, or near misses to their supervisor. Employees must not engage in horseplay, unsafe behaviour, or work under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Risk assessments are carried out for typical removal tasks such as lifting and carrying goods, loading and unloading vehicles, securing loads, driving, and working in confined or shared spaces. Site-specific assessments will be conducted where necessary, taking into account access routes, stairs, parking arrangements, and any special items such as heavy furniture, appliances, or fragile goods. From these assessments we develop safe working practices and communicate them to all relevant staff.

All work is planned to reduce manual handling risks. Where possible, equipment such as trolleys, dollies, and lifting aids is used to move heavy or bulky items. Team lifting is used when single-person lifts could result in strain or injury. Routes are checked for hazards such as trip risks, uneven surfaces, or obstructions, and these are removed or managed before work proceeds.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key element of removal work, and we place particular emphasis on safe lifting techniques. Staff are trained to assess the load, their own capabilities, and the environment before lifting. They are instructed to avoid twisting, overreaching, and carrying loads that are too heavy or awkward. Where an item is too heavy or difficult to move safely by hand, the job will be reassessed, broken down into smaller tasks, or suitable lifting equipment and additional personnel will be arranged.

Vehicle Safety and Load Security

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and inspected regularly. Drivers are required to carry out basic checks before use and to report any defects immediately. Loads are secured using appropriate restraints to prevent movement during transit, reducing the risk of damage to goods and hazards to road users. Overloading of vehicles is strictly prohibited. Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, drive with due care and attention, and adapt their driving to the conditions and type of load carried.

Customer and Public Safety

We take reasonable steps to protect customers, neighbours, and members of the public while carrying out removal services. This includes managing access routes, keeping doorways and pathways clear where possible, and using safe parking and loading areas. Where work takes place in shared or public spaces, additional care is taken to minimise obstruction, and staff are instructed to be vigilant for pedestrians and other road users. We will always aim to work tidily, to keep noise to a reasonable level, and to reduce disruption while maintaining safe practices.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Employees are provided with appropriate induction and on-the-job training relevant to their role. This includes manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, and safe loading and unloading procedures. Refresher training is given when necessary and when new equipment or working methods are introduced. Supervisors ensure that staff are competent to carry out tasks safely and provide guidance and feedback during daily operations.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported as soon as possible so that they can be recorded, investigated, and used to improve safety. Appropriate first aid provisions are made available, and staff are informed of the procedures to follow in the event of an injury, fire, or other emergency. Where serious incidents occur, operations may be temporarily suspended while the situation is made safe and any necessary investigations are carried out.

Maintaining and Reviewing this Policy

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective for the nature and scale of our removal services. Reviews are also carried out following significant changes in legislation, work practices, or after serious incidents. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and used to improve our safety performance. By working together, management and staff at Man With a Van Finsbury Park are committed to maintaining a safe, reliable, and responsible removal service.