Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Charing Cross

Man with Van Charing Cross is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy sets out the principles and arrangements we follow to manage health and safety in connection with our man and van services, house and office moves, and related loading, unloading, and transportation operations.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary health and safety objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and minimise risks arising from our work. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing appropriate control measures, and regularly reviewing our procedures so they remain suitable for the scale and nature of our removal services.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for providing clear leadership on health and safety. This includes establishing safe systems of work for lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, and securing items in vehicles; supplying suitable equipment for manual handling and transport activities; ensuring that all staff receive appropriate information, instruction, and training; and monitoring performance so that standards are maintained and improved where necessary.

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. They must cooperate with the company in implementing this policy, follow all safe working procedures and instructions, correctly use equipment and personal protective equipment provided, and promptly report accidents, near misses, hazards, defects, or unsafe conditions encountered during moving and delivery work.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We conduct risk assessments for our typical removal and delivery activities, including home moves, office moves, and small haulage tasks. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, working in confined or shared spaces, traffic movement around vehicles, and handling bulky or fragile items. Control measures are then implemented and reviewed, such as planning access routes, using team lifts, allocating adequate staff for heavy items, and providing appropriate equipment and guidance for each job.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a significant part of our operations and is carefully managed. Staff are instructed in safe lifting techniques and are encouraged to avoid lifting loads that are too heavy, awkward, or unstable to be handled safely by one person. Wherever possible, trolleys, skates, straps, lifting aids, and other equipment are used to reduce strain and the risk of injury. Employees are expected to plan the route before moving an item, clear obstructions where practical, and communicate clearly with colleagues when performing team lifts.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

The safe use of our vehicles is essential to protecting staff and the public. Drivers must be competent, hold the correct licences, and comply with all road traffic rules and company procedures. Vehicles are loaded within their safe working limits and items are secured to prevent movement during transit. Staff are required to use caution when reversing and manoeuvring in busy or narrow streets, using guidance from a colleague when available. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, lights, securing points, and access steps to ensure vehicles remain safe and suitable for use in our service area.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in and around customers homes, offices, and public spaces. Care is taken to protect floors, walls, doors, and fixtures from damage, and to keep access routes as clear as reasonably practicable. When loading or unloading on public roads or shared accessways, staff are expected to remain aware of pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. Where necessary, they will establish a safe working zone around the van and avoid leaving equipment or items where they could present a trip hazard.

Protective Equipment and Workwear

Where risk assessments identify the need, personal protective equipment such as gloves, protective footwear, or high visibility clothing will be provided. Staff must wear and use this equipment in accordance with training and instructions. Any defects or issues with equipment must be reported without delay so items can be repaired or replaced.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide induction and ongoing training relevant to the tasks staff carry out, including manual handling, vehicle safety, secure loading, and incident reporting. Information on safe working procedures is made available and reinforced through supervision and regular communication. Less experienced staff are paired with more experienced colleagues where appropriate to ensure that safe standards are maintained and good practices are shared across the team.

Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and significant safety concerns must be reported as soon as possible. This allows us to investigate the causes, take corrective action, and update our risk assessments or procedures where necessary. Records of incidents and any follow-up actions are kept and reviewed periodically to identify trends and drive improvements in the way we manage health and safety.

Health and Welfare

We recognise that our work can be physically demanding and, at times, time pressured. Work is planned so far as reasonably practicable to avoid undue strain, excessive working hours, or unsafe short cuts. Staff are encouraged to raise any concerns about fitness for work, fatigue, or health issues that might affect safe performance of their duties, so that adjustments can be considered where appropriate.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, work locations, or relevant guidance. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and used to refine our procedures. By maintaining a positive safety culture and applying this policy in day-to-day activities, Man with Van Charing Cross seeks to deliver reliable removal and transport services while safeguarding everyone affected by our work.