Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van White City

Man With a Van White City 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 transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, handling, transport, loading and unloading of goods for domestic and commercial clients.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and disruption to our clients. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards in our operations, assessing the risks arising from them, and implementing proportionate control measures. We are committed to continuous improvement in our health and safety performance and to complying with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van White City accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the business. This includes:

Ensuring suitable resources are provided for the implementation of this policy, including equipment, training and supervision. Establishing and maintaining safe systems of work for all moving and transport activities. Providing and maintaining vehicles, tools and equipment in a safe, roadworthy and serviceable condition. Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, documented where appropriate and reviewed regularly. Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to identify causes and prevent recurrence. Setting clear expectations for health and safety performance and leading by example at all times.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, including drivers, porters and supervisors, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided by the company. Use vehicles, equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Co operate with management on all health and safety matters, including participation in training and briefings. Report accidents, incidents, near misses or hazards as soon as reasonably practicable. Avoid engaging in horseplay, unsafe practices or any behaviour that could place themselves or others at risk. Not operate vehicles or equipment while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair judgment or performance.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including manual handling of furniture and boxes, loading and unloading vehicles, driving and parking in residential and commercial areas, working in confined spaces such as narrow stairways and corridors, and handling bulky, heavy or fragile items. The findings of these assessments are used to develop safe working procedures and to determine appropriate staffing levels, equipment and supervision for each job.

Where necessary, site specific assessments are conducted when attending premises that present unusual risks, such as restricted access, long carrying distances, poor lighting or shared loading areas. These assessments guide decisions on how work will be planned and executed safely.

Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

Manual handling is a significant part of our removal work. To reduce the risk of injury, we:

Train staff in safe lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifting for heavy or awkward items. Use mechanical aids where reasonably practicable, such as trolleys, dollies and straps. Plan the route for carrying items in advance, identifying obstacles, trip hazards and tight corners. Avoid unnecessary lifting by loading and unloading as close as possible to the entry point of the premises. Rotate tasks where practicable to reduce prolonged strain on the same muscle groups.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are central to our operations, and their safe use is essential. We:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, maintained and serviced in accordance with manufacturer and regulatory requirements. Require drivers to carry out daily pre use checks and report any defects. Expect all drivers to hold the appropriate valid driving licence and to follow road traffic laws at all times. Plan routes to allow sufficient time, reduce unnecessary mileage and minimise the risk of fatigue. Secure loads correctly to prevent shifting during transport and to protect both staff and other road users. Prohibit the use of mobile phones by drivers while the vehicle is in motion, unless hands free equipment is used in a safe manner.

Workplace and Customer Site Safety

Whether working at our own premises or at client locations, we strive to work safely and respectfully. Our teams:

Identify and manage site specific hazards such as uneven surfaces, steps, weather conditions and limited access. Keep work areas as tidy as reasonably practicable, managing trailing leads, loose packing materials and other slip or trip risks. Use appropriate personal protective equipment when required, such as gloves or safety footwear, in line with the risks identified. Take particular care around members of the public, children and pets, ensuring they are kept away from lifting and loading zones.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide our staff with information, instruction and training appropriate to their roles and responsibilities. This includes induction training for new starters, job specific training for removal tasks and vehicle operation, refresher training where necessary, and tool box talks or briefings before complex or higher risk jobs.

Supervisors and experienced staff are expected to monitor working practices on site, correct unsafe behaviours and provide guidance to less experienced colleagues.

Accident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management. We maintain records of such events and investigate them to identify immediate and underlying causes. Where lessons can be learned, we update risk assessments, procedures and training to prevent recurrence. Where required by law, incidents will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in the development of safer working methods. Management regularly reviews this policy, our risk assessments and our health and safety performance to ensure they remain suitable, sufficient and effective.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, relevant legislation or industry guidance. Updated versions will be communicated to all employees and made available to clients on request.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Man With a Van White City aims to deliver a reliable removals service while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved.