Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Fulham

Man With a Van Fulham 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 policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with house moves, office relocations, collection and delivery services, and related activities.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

We aim to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property, and harm to the environment arising from our operations. To achieve this, we will:

Identify and manage risks connected with manual handling, loading and unloading, driving, use of equipment, and work at customers premises.

Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice relating to removal and transport services.

Provide clear information, instruction, and training to our staff to ensure work is carried out safely and responsibly.

Review our health and safety performance regularly and make improvements where necessary.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Fulham holds overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:

Ensuring risk assessments are carried out and control measures are in place for all key activities.

Providing suitable vehicles, tools, equipment, and protective measures that are safe and properly maintained.

Allocating sufficient resources for training, supervision, and safety equipment.

Promoting a positive safety culture where concerns can be raised and addressed promptly.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors working with Man With a Van Fulham are expected to:

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

Follow company safety procedures, guidance, and training at all times.

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

Report accidents, near misses, hazards, or unsafe conditions as soon as possible so that corrective actions can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for common removal tasks and review them regularly. These cover activities such as:

Lifting, carrying, and handling furniture, appliances, and personal belongings.

Loading and unloading vehicles at customers homes, offices, and storage facilities.

Navigating stairs, narrow walkways, and confined spaces during moves.

Parking and operating vehicles in residential and commercial streets.

Where necessary, specific method statements or job instructions are issued to ensure that high-risk activities are controlled and supervised appropriately.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core element of our work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other injuries. We will:

Train staff in safe lifting techniques, team lifts, and the use of handling aids.

Use suitable equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and blankets to minimise physical strain and protect customer property.

Plan each move to avoid unnecessary carrying distances and awkward lifting where possible.

Encourage staff to refuse unsafe lifts and request additional assistance when needed.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our removal services and must be operated safely at all times. Man With a Van Fulham will:

Ensure vehicles are roadworthy, regularly inspected, and maintained in line with legal and manufacturer requirements.

Require all drivers to hold the appropriate licence and maintain good driving standards.

Secure loads properly to prevent movement of items in transit that could cause damage or injury.

Encourage safe driving behaviours, including adherence to speed limits, parking regulations, and rest breaks where appropriate.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, their property, and members of the public during removal operations. To support this, we will:

Plan access routes and loading points to minimise disruption and hazards.

Keep work areas as tidy as reasonably practicable, reducing trip and slip risks from packaging and equipment.

Communicate clearly with customers about any temporary risks during the move, such as obstructed walkways or the movement of large items.

Take particular care in shared or communal areas to avoid creating unnecessary obstructions.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man With a Van Fulham is committed to ongoing training and supervision to maintain safe working practices. This includes:

Induction training for new staff on company safety procedures and expectations.

Task-specific training on manual handling, use of equipment, and safe loading techniques.

Regular briefings and updates when procedures or legislation change.

Appropriate supervision of less experienced staff until they are competent to work independently.

Accident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. We will:

Record details of accidents and incidents accurately.

Investigate causes to identify lessons learned and prevent recurrence.

Review risk assessments and working methods where necessary in light of incidents.

Comply with our legal obligations for reporting certain incidents to the relevant authorities.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals, or following significant changes in our operations, legislation, or after a serious incident. Where improvements are identified, we will update our procedures, training, and control measures to ensure they remain effective and appropriate to the scale and nature of our removal and transport services.

By working together and following this policy, Man With a Van Fulham aims to deliver safe, efficient, and professional moves for every customer.