Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Friern Barnet

Man with Van Friern Barnet is committed to providing a professional removals and transport service that protects the health, safety and welfare of our customers, members of the public and everyone who works with or for us. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to minimise risks associated with moving, loading, unloading and transporting goods.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We aim to maintain high standards of safety across all moving and delivery activities within our service areas. To achieve this we will:

• Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised best practice for the removals industry.
• Identify hazards associated with our work and put effective controls in place.
• Provide information, instruction and training to our workers so that tasks are carried out safely.
• Supply and maintain vehicles, tools and lifting equipment in a safe condition.
• Encourage a culture where safety concerns are reported promptly and dealt with effectively.
• Continually review and improve our approach to health and safety.

Responsibilities and Management

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Friern Barnet rests with the company management. They are responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, monitored and reviewed on a regular basis.

Supervisors, team leaders and drivers must:

• Plan work to minimise risks during removals and deliveries.
• Make sure that staff understand safe working procedures before work begins.
• Ensure daily checks are carried out on vehicles and equipment.
• Take prompt action when unsafe conditions or practices are identified.

Each worker has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes following guidance, using equipment properly and reporting hazards, incidents, near misses or injuries without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our regular removal and transport activities and for any non-routine work that may present additional hazards. Assessments consider factors such as manual handling, loading and unloading, driving conditions, property access, customer premises and the nature of the goods being moved.

Based on these assessments, we develop and apply safe systems of work, including:

• Planning vehicle access, parking and loading areas to reduce the risk of collisions or damage.
• Checking stairways, corridors and paths for trip hazards before moving items.
• Using suitable tools and lifting aids for heavy, fragile or bulky items where reasonably practicable.
• Avoiding overloading vehicles and distributing weight safely in the load space.
• Adapting methods of work to suit the specific conditions at each property.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Handling furniture, boxes and appliances forms a central part of our service and can present significant risks if not managed correctly. To reduce manual handling injuries we:

• Train staff in safe lifting techniques, team lifting and the importance of assessing each load before moving it.
• Encourage the use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling aids whenever appropriate.
• Prohibit staff from attempting to lift items that are beyond their capability or that cannot be moved safely in the available space.
• Make sure that ramps, loading platforms and other equipment are used in line with manufacturer guidance and are in good condition.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are a central part of our removals and transport operations. We are committed to keeping them roadworthy and operated in a safe manner. To support this we:

• Carry out regular servicing and maintenance by competent persons.
• Complete routine pre-use checks such as tyres, lights, mirrors, indicators and load areas.
• Ensure that loads are secured and that doors, ramps and tailgates are properly fastened before travelling.
• Require drivers to obey speed limits, parking rules and all road traffic regulations.
• Manage driving hours to reduce the risk of fatigue where applicable.

Protecting Customers, Public and Property

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our work. We take particular care when working in residential streets, shared entrances and busy areas. Our teams will:

• Position vehicles and ramps so that they minimise obstruction and risk to pedestrians and other road users.
• Mark and supervise loading areas where possible to keep people away from moving items.
• Take care to prevent damage to floors, walls, doors and fixtures by using protective coverings when suitable.
• Handle customers' belongings with care and store them securely in the vehicle during transit.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide staff with appropriate training and instruction so that they can carry out their duties competently and safely. This may include induction training, on-the-job coaching and refresher sessions for key topics such as manual handling, vehicle safety and emergency procedures.

Clear lines of communication are maintained so workers can raise any safety concerns. Supervisors will monitor working practices and provide further guidance or corrective action where needed.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Response

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records will be kept of these events and used to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

In the event of an emergency, such as a road traffic incident, sudden illness, fire or serious injury, our teams are instructed to prioritise safety, contact the relevant emergency services and follow their instructions. Where safe to do so, they will protect the scene and prevent further harm to people or damage to property.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are changes in our activities, legislation or industry standards. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and forms an important part of our continual improvement process.

By working together and following the principles in this policy, Man with Van Friern Barnet aims to deliver removal and transport services that are not only efficient and reliable, but also safe for everyone involved.