Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Bethnal Green

Man With a Van Bethnal Green is committed to providing a safe, healthy and responsible removal and transport service. This Health and Safety Policy sets out how we protect our customers, our team members and the public while carrying out household and commercial removals, deliveries and related services.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

The main objectives of this policy are to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property during all stages of our moving and transport work. We do this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting effective control measures in place. Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning, training and day to day operations.

We aim to ensure that every job is carried out in a way that protects people, vehicles, goods and property, while still delivering an efficient and reliable removal service.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man With a Van Bethnal Green is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that suitable resources are provided to maintain high health and safety standards. This includes the selection of equipment and vehicles, the planning of work, supervision, and the provision of information and guidance to workers.

Management will review this policy periodically and when there are any significant changes in our activities, services, equipment or applicable legal requirements. Any updates will be communicated to workers so that our safety standards remain current and effective.

Worker Responsibilities

All workers, including drivers and porters, must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They are expected to:

Follow safe working procedures and instructions provided by the company. Use vehicles, lifting equipment, trolleys and other tools correctly. Wear appropriate clothing and any necessary protective equipment. Report hazards, defects, near misses and incidents without delay. Refrain from any behaviour that may compromise safety, such as rushing, horseplay or using a mobile phone while driving or handling loads.

Workers are also responsible for notifying management if they are unfit for work, including any health condition, fatigue or medication that could affect safe driving or manual handling.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are a central part of our removal and delivery services, and their safe operation is essential. Vehicles are inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are roadworthy and suitable for the loads they carry. Defects or concerns must be reported immediately and vehicles taken out of use if they are unsafe.

Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, obey all road traffic rules and adjust their driving to weather, traffic and road conditions. Loads must be secured so that items cannot move, fall or obstruct the driver's view. There is a strict no tolerance approach to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and to any form of dangerous or aggressive driving.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key risk in removal work. To minimise the risk of strain, sprain and other injuries, our workers are trained and instructed in safe lifting and carrying techniques. This includes planning the lift, assessing the weight and shape of the item, using correct posture and team lifting where needed.

Where practicable, we use equipment such as trolleys, dollies and straps to assist with moving heavy or awkward items. Large or particularly heavy objects may require additional planning or extra personnel to handle them safely. Workers are encouraged to refuse any lift they consider unsafe and to request assistance or equipment instead.

Customer, Public and Property Protection

We recognise our duty to protect customers, visitors, neighbours and members of the public while we are working. Care is taken to keep access routes clear, to avoid trip hazards such as loose packing materials and to manage parking and loading in a safe and considerate manner.

Protective coverings, such as floor protectors or blankets, are used where appropriate to reduce the risk of damage and slips. Doors, lifts and corridors are used in ways that minimise obstruction and allow safe passage for others. Particular attention is given to shared access areas, stairways and entrances so that our activities do not put others at unnecessary risk.

Use of Equipment and Tools

Any tools, lifting aids and other equipment used in our services must be suitable for the task, properly maintained and operated only by people who are competent to use them. Faulty or damaged equipment must be removed from service and reported immediately.

Workers must follow any manufacturer guidance provided with equipment and not improvise or modify tools in a way that could compromise safety. Where specialised equipment is required for a specific job, management will ensure that adequate instruction is provided.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before starting work, we consider the specific risks associated with each job, such as access constraints, parking arrangements, the nature of items to be moved and any customer concerns. This allows us to plan the right number of workers, choose suitable vehicles, and select any additional equipment or protective materials needed for safe working.

For higher risk tasks, such as moving very heavy items or working in restricted access areas, a more detailed assessment is carried out. Control measures may include additional staff, alterations to the route, or rescheduling the work to safer times of day.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly to management. These reports are reviewed to identify root causes and to decide what corrective or preventive actions are required.

We are committed to learning from experience and feedback. Where appropriate, we will update procedures, provide additional training or change equipment and methods to prevent similar incidents in the future and to continually improve our health and safety performance.

Health and Safety Commitment

This Health and Safety Policy reflects the commitment of Man With a Van Bethnal Green to operate responsibly and to uphold high standards across all removal and transport services. Health and safety is a shared responsibility and an essential part of how we plan, manage and deliver each job, from initial collection to final delivery.