Man with Van Hillingdon Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Hillingdon 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 transportation activities. Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by managing health and safety risks in a systematic and responsible way.

Policy Objectives

The core objectives of this Health and Safety policy are to:

Identify, assess, and control risks associated with removal, loading, unloading, and transportation activities.

Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and relevant industry guidance.

Provide suitable information, instruction, training, and supervision to enable staff to work safely.

Promote a positive health and safety culture throughout our operations in Hillingdon and surrounding areas.

Review and improve our health and safety performance on a regular basis.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Hillingdon accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. This includes:

Ensuring appropriate resources are made available to implement this policy.

Setting clear health and safety standards and monitoring compliance.

Conducting regular risk assessments for removal work, vehicle use, manual handling, and use of equipment.

Ensuring that vehicles, tools, lifting aids, and personal protective equipment are properly maintained and suitable for their intended use.

Investigating any accidents, incidents, or near misses and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, including drivers, porters, and support staff, share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees are required to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all safety procedures, method statements, and instructions provided by management.

Use equipment, vehicles, and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately.

Report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents, and near misses without delay.

Cooperate with management to ensure compliance with this policy and all legal requirements.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man with Van Hillingdon carries out risk assessments for typical moving and transportation tasks, as well as for any non-standard or high-risk activities. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, vehicle movements, working in confined spaces, working at height when loading, and handling fragile or heavy items.

Findings from risk assessments are used to develop safe working practices, which may include route planning, team lifting, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, and the organisation of loading and unloading areas to minimise risk. Staff are expected to follow these procedures at all times and to stop work if they believe conditions are unsafe.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal services and is carefully managed to reduce the risk of injury. We provide guidance and training on correct lifting techniques, team lifting for heavy or awkward items, and the use of equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, and straps.

Employees must assess the weight and shape of items before moving them, seek assistance where necessary, and never attempt to lift or carry loads beyond their capability. Where possible, items are dismantled, repacked, or moved using mechanical aids to reduce manual effort.

Vehicles, Driving, and Road Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our operations in Hillingdon and beyond, and we take road safety seriously. All vehicles are maintained according to manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements, with regular checks on tyres, brakes, lights, and load securing points.

Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, observe all traffic laws, and drive in a safe and courteous manner. They are responsible for ensuring that loads are evenly distributed, properly secured, and within permitted weight limits. No driver is expected to work excessive hours, and driving schedules are planned to reduce fatigue and stress.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer premises or in shared spaces, our teams take steps to protect customers, neighbours, and the public. This includes clear communication with customers about access routes, careful use of common areas, and the control of trip hazards such as ramps, trolleys, and packaging materials.

Where necessary, warning signs, barriers, or temporary controls are used to keep people away from active loading areas. Care is taken to avoid damage to property, and any spills or obstructions are dealt with promptly.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man with Van Hillingdon provides appropriate training and supervision to ensure safe operation of our removal and transport services. Training may include induction training for new staff, manual handling techniques, vehicle and equipment operation, hazard awareness, and emergency procedures.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for ensuring that safety standards are followed on each job and that new or less experienced staff receive additional support where required.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records are kept to help identify patterns and areas for improvement. Where necessary, incidents are reviewed and procedures updated.

Staff are instructed in emergency procedures, including how to respond to injuries, vehicle breakdowns, fire, or other sudden hazards while working at customer locations or on the road. First aid supplies are available in vehicles or at base, and staff are encouraged to seek medical advice whenever there is any doubt about an injury.

Health and Wellbeing

The physical nature of removal work can be demanding. We encourage staff to look after their health and wellbeing, including staying hydrated, taking appropriate rest breaks, and using correct techniques to avoid strain. Management will consider reasonable adjustments where health issues are identified that may affect an employee’s ability to carry out certain tasks.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective, relevant, and in line with current legislation and best practice for the removal and transport industry. Revisions may also be made following significant changes in our operations, the introduction of new equipment, or the occurrence of serious incidents.

By working together and following this policy, Man with Van Hillingdon aims to deliver safe, reliable, and professional removal services for customers while protecting the health and safety of everyone involved.