Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van St Lukes
Man with Van St Lukes is committed to maintaining the highest practicable standards of health, safety and welfare for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. This policy outlines how we manage health and safety in relation to our man and van and removal services, including packing, loading, transportation and unloading of goods.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our activities. We aim to provide a safe working environment, safe systems of work and suitable equipment for all removal and transport tasks. We seek continual improvement through regular review of this policy and our operating procedures.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that health and safety considerations are integrated into all planning and operational decisions. This includes identifying and assessing risks, providing appropriate information, instruction and supervision, and ensuring that vehicles, tools and lifting equipment used for removals are maintained in a safe condition.
Managers will monitor working practices, investigate accidents and near misses, and act promptly to remedy any identified issues. They will also keep up to date with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry guidance for removal and transport services.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment and report hazards, near misses or incidents without delay.
Employees must not misuse or interfere with anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare. They are required to co-operate fully with management to enable all legal and company obligations to be met.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before carrying out removal work, appropriate risk assessments will be completed for typical tasks such as manual handling, working in confined or multi-storey properties, vehicle loading, securing of loads and driving in varying traffic conditions. Site-specific assessments will be made where unusual risks are identified, such as restricted access, heavy or awkward items, or hazardous environments.
Based on these assessments, safe systems of work are established, including clear procedures for lifting and carrying, use of moving equipment, safe stacking, correct securing of loads inside vehicles, and safe navigation of stairways and narrow corridors. These procedures are communicated to staff and reviewed regularly.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant part of removal activities and will be controlled as far as reasonably practicable. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques and team handling methods to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Where possible, mechanical aids such as sack trucks, dollies, trolleys, ramps and straps will be used to move heavy or bulky items.
All handling and lifting equipment will be inspected regularly and taken out of service if any defects are identified. Only trained and authorised personnel may operate specialised equipment. Items that are assessed as too heavy or unsafe to move will not be handled until an appropriate method or additional assistance is arranged.
Vehicle Safety and Load Security
All vehicles used in connection with our man and van and removal services will be maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Regular checks will be carried out on brakes, lights, tyres, mirrors, seatbelts and load-bearing structures.
Drivers are responsible for conducting pre-use checks, reporting any defects and ensuring loads are evenly distributed and properly secured to prevent movement during transit. Access routes will be planned to minimise risk, taking account of road conditions, low bridges, restricted zones and safe parking for loading and unloading.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide appropriate training for all staff, proportionate to their roles and responsibilities. This may include induction training on company procedures, safe manual handling, hazard awareness, correct use of lifting aids, safe driving practices and emergency arrangements. Refresher training will be provided when necessary, and additional training will be arranged if new risks or equipment are introduced.
Information about specific jobs, such as access issues, special handling requirements or fragile items, will be communicated to the team before work starts. Supervisors will ensure that staff follow agreed procedures and will intervene if unsafe behaviour or conditions are observed.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
When working at customer premises or in public areas, we will take all reasonable steps to protect occupants, visitors and passers-by. This includes maintaining clear walkways, avoiding trip hazards from equipment and packing materials, and using caution when moving large items through shared spaces or entrances.
Where necessary, staff may restrict access to certain areas while work is carried out. Care will be taken to prevent damage to property, and any hazards identified will be reported to the customer as soon as possible.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, injuries and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly in accordance with company procedures. Incidents will be recorded, investigated and reviewed to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Lessons learned will be shared with staff to prevent recurrence.
Emergency procedures are in place for vehicle breakdowns, collisions, fire, serious injury and other unforeseen events. Staff are instructed on how to respond, including how to summon assistance and how to protect themselves, customers and the public.
Health, Welfare and Fitness to Work
We recognise that removal work can be physically demanding. We encourage staff to report any health conditions that may affect their ability to carry out tasks safely. No employee is required or permitted to perform work for which they are not medically fit or adequately trained.
We do not tolerate working under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Prescription or over-the-counter medication that may impair performance must be declared so that appropriate adjustments or restrictions can be considered.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice or the nature of our services. Feedback from staff, customers and incident investigations is used to drive improvements in our procedures, training and equipment.
By following this policy, Man with Van St Lukes seeks to provide a safe, reliable and professional removal service, protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our operations.
