Man With a Van Ravenscourt Park Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Ravenscourt Park is committed to maintaining high health and safety standards in all removal and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to protecting our staff, customers, visitors and members of the public during collection, loading, transport and delivery of goods.

We recognise that our work involves manual handling, vehicle use and work in and around homes, offices and other premises. We take reasonable steps to manage these risks so that removal services are carried out safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to prevent injury, protect health and reduce risks associated with our removal operations. We aim to:

Plan work with safety as a core priority, not an afterthought.

Identify and control hazards linked to lifting, carrying, loading, driving and unloading.

Provide appropriate information and guidance to staff and customers to support safe working.

Maintain vehicles and equipment in a safe and roadworthy condition.

Encourage a culture where safety concerns are raised and addressed promptly.

Roles and Responsibilities

Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Everyone involved in our services has a role to play in preventing accidents and incidents.

Management is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, reviewed and updated as needed. This includes organising appropriate training, setting safe working practices and ensuring vehicles and equipment are properly maintained.

Drivers and removal operatives are responsible for following safe working procedures, using any provided equipment correctly, reporting hazards, defects or incidents, and taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others around them.

Customers have a responsibility to provide clear access where reasonably possible, inform us of any specific risks at their premises, such as loose flooring, low ceilings, restricted staircases or fragile surfaces, and cooperate with reasonable safety instructions given by our team.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before and during each job, we consider the specific risks involved in the work being carried out. This includes the type and quantity of items, access routes, parking arrangements, time of day and any special handling requirements.

Our staff are instructed to plan the route for moving items, clear any trip hazards where reasonable, and assess whether additional assistance or equipment is required for heavy or awkward loads. If at any stage a task is considered unsafe, the work will be paused and an alternative method will be agreed where possible.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is a common source of injuries if not done correctly. To reduce this risk, we promote the following principles:

Assess the weight, size and shape of items before moving.

Use team lifting for heavy or bulky objects.

Use suitable moving equipment such as trolleys or skates where available and appropriate.

Keep loads close to the body, avoid twisting while lifting and take regular short breaks during intensive lifting tasks.

We do not expect staff to lift items that they reasonably believe exceed safe manual handling limits or that cannot be moved safely with the resources available on site.

Vehicle Safety and Loading

Our vehicles are central to safe and reliable removal services. We take steps to ensure that vehicles are suitable for the work and are kept in good working order.

Drivers must carry out basic checks of tyres, lights and general condition, and report any defects or concerns so that they can be addressed. Loads are to be distributed evenly, secured appropriately and kept within any legal weight limits. Items should be positioned to minimise movement during transit and to allow safe unloading at the destination.

Drivers are required to obey road traffic laws and drive in a considerate manner, taking account of weather, traffic conditions and the nature of the load.

Working at Customer Premises

Our staff work in a variety of settings, including homes, flats, offices and storage locations. To maintain safety at these premises, we:

Take care when moving items through narrow corridors, stairwells and doorways to avoid damage or injury.

Use safe methods for moving goods from higher floors, avoiding unsafe lifting or leaning over balustrades and barriers.

Keep walkways as clear as reasonably possible and avoid leaving items where they might cause trips or obstruction.

Where necessary, we may restrict access to certain areas while heavy or bulky items are being moved.

Personal Protective Equipment and Tools

Where appropriate for the task, our operatives may use personal protective equipment such as protective gloves, safety footwear or back supports. Tools and moving equipment are to be used only for their intended purpose and inspected for obvious damage before use. Defective equipment must not be used and must be reported so it can be repaired or replaced.

Health, Wellbeing and Fitness to Work

We expect staff to present themselves fit for work and to inform management if they are suffering from any condition or injury that could affect their ability to carry out removal tasks safely. This includes musculoskeletal issues, illness that affects balance or concentration, or the effects of medication that may impair alertness.

Alcohol and illegal drug use during working hours, or reporting for work under their influence, is not tolerated, as it creates serious risks for staff, customers and the public.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, near misses, damage to property and health and safety concerns should be reported as soon as possible. We use this information to understand what went wrong, take corrective action and prevent recurrence where reasonably practicable.

This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and may be updated to reflect changes in our services, working methods, legal requirements or industry best practice. Our overall aim is to provide a safe, reliable man and van removal service while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved.