Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Wapping

Man With a Van Wapping is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, clients, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy outlines our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, transporting, and unloading goods as part of our man and van and removals services.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The aim of this Health and Safety Policy is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property during all aspects of our work. Our key objectives are to:

Identify, assess, and control risks associated with removals, loading, unloading, and transport activities.

Provide suitable information, instruction, and training to ensure staff can carry out their duties safely.

Maintain vehicles, equipment, and tools in a safe and roadworthy condition.

Encourage a positive safety culture where all staff take responsibility for their own safety and that of others.

Continuously review and improve our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Wapping is responsible for implementing and maintaining this policy and for ensuring that health and safety is integrated into day to day operations. Management will:

Ensure that suitable risk assessments are carried out for all relevant activities, including manual handling, vehicle operations, loading and unloading, access to properties, and working in different environments.

Provide appropriate training, supervision, and resources to enable staff to work safely.

Ensure that vehicles and equipment used for moving and transporting goods are maintained in safe working order.

Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses, and take action to prevent recurrence.

Review this policy periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our activities or applicable regulations.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors working with Man With a Van Wapping share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. They are required to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided by the company.

Use vehicles, equipment, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.

Report all accidents, incidents, near misses, and hazards to management without delay.

Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and any related safety measures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man With a Van Wapping carries out risk assessments for typical tasks involved in domestic and commercial removals, including packing, lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, and transportation. Where specific or unusual risks are identified at a particular property or site, additional assessment will be carried out before work begins.

Safe working practices are developed from these assessments and may include, but are not limited to, the following measures:

Planning routes to ensure safe access and egress at properties.

Checking floor surfaces, stairs, and pathways for hazards before moving items.

Using appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies, blankets, and straps where necessary.

Ensuring items are not stacked or loaded in a way that could cause instability or injury.

Stopping work if conditions become unsafe and informing management immediately.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is central to our work and is a significant source of potential injury. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, Man With a Van Wapping will:

Provide training in safe lifting and carrying techniques.

Encourage team lifting for heavy, bulky, or awkward items.

Use handling aids such as trolleys and sliders wherever reasonably practicable.

Avoid unnecessary lifting and carrying by planning loading and unloading sequences.

Ensure staff do not attempt to lift items beyond their capability and that they are encouraged to ask for assistance when needed.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Safe operation of vehicles is essential to our removal services. Man With a Van Wapping will:

Ensure all drivers hold the correct licences and are competent to operate the vehicles they use.

Carry out regular checks and scheduled maintenance of vehicles to keep them safe and roadworthy.

Require drivers to obey road traffic laws at all times and drive in a manner that is considerate, safe, and appropriate to conditions.

Ensure loads are properly distributed, secured, and within permitted weight limits.

Discourage the use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving, except through safe hands free arrangements when legally permitted.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Where equipment or personal protective equipment is required to perform work safely, Man With a Van Wapping will provide suitable items and ensure they are maintained in good condition. This may include safety footwear, protective gloves, high visibility clothing for roadside work, and any other items identified through risk assessment.

Employees must use such equipment as instructed and must report any damage, defects, or loss immediately so that replacements or repairs can be arranged.

Working at Customer Premises

Our teams regularly work at customer homes, offices, and other premises. To protect customers, staff, and the public, we will:

Respect and follow any reasonable site specific safety rules made known to us.

Keep walkways and exits clear of trip hazards caused by boxes, furniture, or equipment wherever practicable.

Use caution when moving large items through doorways, stairwells, and communal areas to avoid damage and injury.

Take particular care where children, pets, or vulnerable persons are present and ensure they are kept clear of working areas where possible.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses, and significant hazards encountered during moving and transport operations must be reported to management at the earliest opportunity. This enables us to:

Provide appropriate first aid or emergency response.

Record and investigate the circumstances of the incident.

Take corrective actions and update risk assessments or procedures where necessary.

Staff will be made aware of emergency arrangements, including procedures in the event of fire, serious injury, or other emergencies encountered while working or driving.

Training, Communication, and Policy Review

Man With a Van Wapping provides induction and ongoing training relevant to the tasks carried out by our teams. This may include manual handling techniques, safe driving, use of equipment, hazard awareness, and company procedures. Health and safety information is communicated clearly so that all staff understand their responsibilities.

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective in supporting safe removal and man and van services. Updates will be communicated to staff, and any significant changes to our operations or applicable guidance will be reflected promptly in our working practices.

By following this Health and Safety Policy, Man With a Van Wapping aims to deliver reliable, efficient, and safe moving services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our work.