Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Camden Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Camden 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 identifying, controlling and minimising risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods.

We aim to integrate health and safety into every aspect of our work, from small man and van jobs to larger property moves. Management, drivers, porters and office staff all share responsibility for maintaining high safety standards, and we expect the same commitment from any subcontractors working on our behalf.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our key objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and reduce risks arising from our operations. To achieve this, we will:

Identify and assess potential hazards associated with manual handling, driving, loading and unloading, use of equipment and working at customers premises. Implement reasonable and practical control measures to remove or reduce identified risks. Provide our team with suitable information, instruction, training and supervision. Ensure vehicles, tools and equipment are safe, roadworthy and fit for purpose. Promote a positive safety culture where staff are encouraged to report concerns, near misses and incidents promptly.

Responsibilities and Management Commitment

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who will ensure that adequate resources are made available to implement this policy. Management will:

Lead by example, demonstrating safe behaviour at all times. Review and update this policy periodically or when there are significant changes to our operations. Ensure that risk assessments are carried out, documented where appropriate and communicated to staff. Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and implement actions to prevent recurrence.

All employees and workers engaged by Man with Van Camden have a legal and moral duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others. They must:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and guidance issued by the company. Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly and report defects without delay. Co-operate with management in all matters related to health and safety. Report hazards, unsafe conditions and any accidents or near misses as soon as possible.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting a job, we carry out proportionate risk assessments that take into account the nature of the property, the access routes, the weight and size of items, and any special considerations such as fragile goods or restricted parking. Where necessary, we will adapt plans to reduce risk, such as using additional staff, employing lifting aids, or altering loading sequences.

Safe working practices include:

Planning vehicle access and parking to minimise reversing and manoeuvring in tight spaces. Checking floors, stairways and pathways for slips, trips and fall hazards, and taking reasonable steps to keep them clear. Using proper manual handling techniques, team lifts and suitable lifting aids for heavy or awkward items. Securing loads in vehicles to prevent movement during transport. Avoiding overloading vehicles and always respecting legal weight limits and safe driving standards.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our removal service, and it is also a significant source of potential injury. To manage this risk we:

Train staff in safe lifting methods, including assessing load weight, planning the route and using correct body posture. Encourage team lifting for heavy or bulky items such as furniture and appliances. Make use of suitable equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets to protect both people and goods. Avoid asking staff to move items that are beyond safe handling limits, and we may decline work that cannot be carried out safely.

All equipment is inspected regularly, and any damaged or defective items are taken out of service until repaired or replaced.

Vehicle Safety and Safe Driving

Our vehicles are essential to our removal work and are maintained in a safe, roadworthy condition. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, mirrors, securing points and other safety-critical components. Drivers are expected to carry out basic pre-use checks before each journey.

Drivers must always obey road traffic laws, drive responsibly, and adjust their driving to suit traffic, weather and load conditions. Speeding, unsafe manoeuvres and distracted driving are not tolerated. Journeys are planned to reduce time pressure and encourage rest breaks in line with good practice.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise that our teams often work in and around homes, offices, shared buildings and public areas. We take care to minimise disruption and protect the safety of customers, neighbours and passers-by. As far as reasonably practicable we will:

Keep access routes clear of trip hazards such as boxes, tools and packing materials. Use safe lifting and carrying techniques on stairs, landings and narrow corridors. Take extra care when moving large items through shared areas or near public walkways. Communicate with customers about any restrictions, such as temporary limits on access while items are being moved.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive appropriate induction and on-the-job training covering safe manual handling, load security, safe driving practices, incident reporting and customer care. Training needs are reviewed regularly, especially when new equipment or procedures are introduced, or when staff take on new responsibilities.

Supervisors and experienced team members provide ongoing guidance and monitoring to ensure that safety standards are maintained during day-to-day work. Any identified gaps in knowledge or behaviour are addressed through additional coaching or formal training.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, vehicle incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We investigate incidents to understand their causes and to identify steps that can prevent similar events in the future.

Lessons learned from incidents, customer feedback, staff suggestions and changes in best practice are used to continually improve our health and safety performance. This may result in new procedures, updated training or changes to equipment.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy reflects the current operations of Man with Van Camden and our commitment to safe, reliable removal services. The policy will be reviewed regularly, and sooner if there are significant changes in our activities, relevant legislation or recognised best practice. Updated versions will be communicated to all staff and made available to customers on request.