Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Berrylands
Man with Van Berrylands is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety for our customers, employees, contractors, and members of the public. This policy sets out the principles and arrangements we follow to manage health and safety effectively during all removal and transport activities.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We recognise our responsibility to conduct all work in a manner that prevents injury, ill health, and avoidable damage to property or the environment. Our objectives are to identify and control risks associated with moving, loading, unloading, and transporting goods, while providing a professional removal service across our operating area.
We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and codes of practice and will regularly review our procedures to ensure they remain suitable, effective, and up to date.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management. Management will ensure that appropriate resources, information, and supervision are provided to implement this policy. They are responsible for:
Ensuring that safe systems of work are developed and followed for all removal activities.
Providing and maintaining suitable vehicles, equipment, and protective gear.
Ensuring that employees receive appropriate training and instruction for their roles.
Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses and implementing corrective actions.
Employees and contractors also have important responsibilities. All personnel engaged by Man with Van Berrylands must:
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety procedures, guidance, and instructions given by the company.
Use equipment, vehicles, and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately.
Report hazards, unsafe conditions, near misses, accidents, or injuries without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for our key activities, including home and office removals, loading and unloading vehicles, transporting goods, lifting and carrying items, and working in and around client properties. These assessments help us identify potential hazards and put in place suitable control measures.
Where appropriate, we may conduct a brief on-site assessment before or at the start of a job to consider access routes, parking arrangements, stairways, lifts, narrow corridors, and any special risks such as fragile items or heavy and awkward loads. Staff are expected to follow safe working practices, adapt to local conditions, and stop work if they consider it unsafe to continue.
Manual Handling and Loading
Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and is managed carefully. Our approach includes:
Encouraging the use of team lifting for heavy or bulky items.
Using handling aids where available, such as trolleys, dollies, or moving straps.
Planning routes in advance to avoid unnecessary carrying and reduce the risk of trips and falls.
Training staff in safer lifting techniques, posture, and load assessment.
Refusing to move items that exceed safe handling limits or cannot be moved safely with available equipment and personnel.
Loads are secured in vehicles to reduce the risk of movement during transit, which could cause injuries when unloading or lead to damage to property.
Vehicles and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are maintained and inspected regularly to ensure they are safe, roadworthy, and appropriate for the loads they carry. Drivers must hold a valid licence and follow all road traffic laws and company driving procedures.
Drivers are required to:
Carry out basic pre-use checks on vehicles before each journey.
Drive at safe speeds appropriate to conditions and vehicle load.
Avoid distractions while driving and never drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that impairs ability.
Report any vehicle defects, incidents, or collisions immediately.
Parking and unloading are planned to ensure safety for staff, customers, pedestrians, and other road users, taking care to minimise obstruction and risk.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We take care to work safely in and around customer homes, offices, and public areas. This includes:
Keeping access routes as clear as reasonably possible during moves.
Using safe lifting and carrying practices on stairs, ramps, and uneven surfaces.
Taking reasonable precautions to avoid damage to property and fixtures.
Being mindful of other occupants, neighbours, and the general public when loading and unloading.
Where necessary, staff may ask customers or others to keep clear of certain areas while heavy or bulky items are being moved to reduce the risk of accidents.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We provide our employees with information and training relevant to their roles, including safe manual handling, vehicle and equipment use, incident reporting, and working safely at client locations. Training needs are reviewed periodically and when there are changes to work practices, equipment, or legislation.
New staff receive appropriate induction and are supervised until they can demonstrate safe and competent working practices. Ongoing supervision and spot checks are used to reinforce standards and address unsafe behaviour or practices.
Accidents, Incidents, and First Aid
All accidents, injuries, and near misses must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We record and review these events to identify causes and implement improvements to prevent recurrence.
Where possible, basic first aid supplies are made available in vehicles or at work locations. Staff are encouraged to seek prompt medical attention for any injury or condition that may affect their ability to work safely.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage open communication about health and safety. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and participate in the review of working practices. Constructive feedback helps us refine procedures and maintain a safe, reliable removal service across our operating area.
Review of This Policy
This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, or the nature of our operations. The latest version of this policy is available to employees and customers on request.
By working together and following the measures in this policy, Man with Van Berrylands aims to deliver efficient, careful, and safe removal services for every customer.
