Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Tulse Hill Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Tulse Hill is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, customers, contractors 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, loading, transporting and unloading goods in and around our service areas.

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and disruption to our clients by planning and carrying out work in a safe, controlled and professional manner at all times.

Policy Aims and Responsibilities

The overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that appropriate procedures, resources and training are in place. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing these procedures on each job and for monitoring working conditions. Every worker has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

We expect all staff to cooperate fully with this policy, to follow safe systems of work, to use equipment correctly and to report hazards or incidents immediately. We also expect our customers to provide clear information about access, parking restrictions and any known hazards at the collection and delivery addresses.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for our operations, including loading, unloading, lifting and carrying, driving and working at clients premises. Findings from these assessments are used to create safe systems of work that our staff are required to follow.

Before starting any job, our teams assess the working environment, including access routes, staircases, lifts, doorways, surfaces, lighting, weather conditions and vehicle positioning. Where necessary, work will be adapted, rescheduled or refused if conditions are considered unsafe or likely to cause injury or damage.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our removal services, and we recognise the potential risks of back injuries, strains and other musculoskeletal disorders. To manage these risks, we provide staff with training in correct lifting and carrying techniques and methods of team lifting for heavy or awkward items.

Our approach to manual handling includes assessing the weight, size, stability and route before moving any item, using appropriate handling aids such as trolleys and straps where reasonably practicable, encouraging staff to ask for assistance when required, and refusing to move items that cannot be handled safely, even if this means adjusting or cancelling part of a job.

Use of Equipment and Vehicles

All vehicles used by Man with Van Tulse Hill are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks on tyres, lights, brakes, securing points and loading areas. Drivers are responsible for carrying out pre-use checks and reporting defects immediately so that necessary repairs or inspections can be arranged.

We ensure that loads are evenly distributed, suitably packed and secured using appropriate restraints. Overloading is strictly prohibited. Only trained and authorised personnel may drive our vehicles or operate any mechanical handling equipment. Staff must not tamper with or misuse any safety devices or equipment provided for their protection.

Working at Customers Premises

When working in homes, offices or other premises, we aim to minimise disruption while maintaining safe access and egress. This includes keeping walkways clear of trip hazards such as boxes, tools and packaging, protecting floors and surfaces where reasonably practicable, using caution on stairs, ramps and uneven ground, and being aware of other people moving through the area, including children, pets and visitors.

If we identify unsafe conditions, such as unstable structures, blocked exits or serious electrical hazards, work will be paused while the situation is discussed with the customer and a safer approach is agreed or the work rescheduled.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where risk assessments show that personal protective equipment is required, such as safety footwear or gloves, it will be provided and must be worn as instructed. Staff are responsible for looking after issued equipment, checking it before use and reporting any damage or defects so that it can be repaired or replaced.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide appropriate health and safety training for all staff, including induction for new starters and ongoing instruction on specific hazards such as manual handling, safe driving and use of equipment. Information about risks and control measures is communicated clearly before and during each job.

Supervisors monitor performance on site and intervene where unsafe practices are observed. Lessons learned from incidents, near misses and customer feedback are used to improve our procedures and training materials.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, injuries, cases of ill health and near misses that occur during our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record and investigate such events to identify their causes and to put in place measures that help prevent recurrence. Where appropriate, we cooperate with relevant authorities and any other parties involved.

Consultation and Communication

We recognise the value of involving staff in health and safety matters. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safe working practices. Information about changes to procedures, equipment or legislation is communicated promptly and clearly.

Continuous Improvement and Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, fleet, equipment or legal requirements. We aim for continuous improvement in our safety performance, using monitoring, feedback and new industry guidance to refine our practices.

By following this Health and Safety Policy, Man with Van Tulse Hill seeks to ensure that all removal and transport work is carried out with proper regard for the wellbeing of our staff, our customers and the wider community we serve.