Man with Van Osterley Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Osterley is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, transport and delivery services.
Policy Aims and Objectives
Our aim is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards and managing risks in a proportionate and practical way. We seek to continually improve our health and safety performance while providing reliable man and van and removal services throughout our operating area.
To achieve this, we will
Promote a positive health and safety culture across all areas of the business. Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. Provide suitable information, instruction, training and supervision for all staff. Ensure safe systems of work are used for lifting, carrying, loading, transport and delivery. Maintain vehicles, tools and equipment in a safe and roadworthy condition. Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses and take corrective action where required.
Management Responsibilities
The management team at Man with Van Osterley has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and ensuring it is effective. Management will
Set clear health and safety standards for all work activities. Ensure that suitable risk assessments are carried out and reviewed regularly. Provide resources needed to maintain safe equipment, vehicles and premises. Ensure staff receive appropriate induction and ongoing training. Monitor health and safety performance and address any shortcomings promptly.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee, contractor and regular 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. All staff are expected to
Follow the instructions and training provided. Use equipment and vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. Report hazards, defects, incidents and near misses without delay. Wear any personal protective equipment provided, where appropriate. Cooperate fully with managers in meeting legal and company health and safety requirements.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including domestic and commercial moves, loading and unloading items, transporting goods and working at customers premises. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, falls, vehicle movements, awkward access routes and adverse weather.
From these assessments, we develop safe systems of work that may include
Planning moves in advance to identify access issues or special handling requirements. Using correct manual handling techniques for lifting and carrying. Team lifting for heavy, awkward or bulky items. Using trollies, skates and other handling aids whenever possible. Avoiding unsafe shortcuts, such as overreaching or climbing on unstable items. Maintaining clear walkways and work areas during loading and unloading.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling of furniture, appliances, boxes and equipment is a key part of removal work. To reduce the risk of injury, we
Train staff in safe lifting and carrying techniques. Encourage staff to assess the load and environment before lifting. Require the use of team lifts or handling aids for heavy or awkward items. Instruct staff to avoid twisting while carrying loads and to take rest breaks when needed. Prohibit single-person lifting of items that exceed safe weight or size limits.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are essential to our services, and we recognise the importance of road safety. We will
Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in a roadworthy condition. Load vehicles safely and securely to prevent movement of goods in transit. Ensure drivers hold the appropriate licences and are competent for the vehicle they operate. Encourage safe driving practices, adherence to speed limits and respect for other road users. Plan routes where possible to avoid unnecessary risks such as low bridges or unsuitable roads.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
When working at customer locations or in public areas, we take care to minimise disruption and risk to others. We will
Keep access routes as clear as possible. Use warning where there are trip hazards or moving loads. Take care when moving items near parked vehicles, pedestrians and neighbouring properties. Respect customer property and prevent damage to walls, floors, doors and fixtures.
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
We provide appropriate equipment and, where required, personal protective equipment to support safe working. This may include protective gloves, safety footwear, high-visibility clothing and other items as tasks demand. All equipment will be checked regularly, and any defective item will be taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Training, Information and Supervision
Staff receive induction training covering general health and safety rules, emergency procedures and safe work practices. Additional task-specific training is provided for manual handling, use of handling equipment, driving duties and working in customers premises. Supervisors monitor work practices to ensure standards are maintained and provide guidance where improvement is needed.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, property damage and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record and, where necessary, investigate incidents to identify root causes and take steps to prevent recurrence.
Emergency procedures include arrangements for first aid, fire safety and safe evacuation from vehicles or customer premises. All staff are made aware of these procedures as part of their training.
Wellbeing and Fitness for Work
We recognise that the physical nature of removal work can be demanding. Staff are encouraged to maintain good physical health, stay hydrated and take breaks when needed. Employees are expected to present themselves fit for work and must not work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that could impair their ability to work safely.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice or our operations. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and considered as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.
By working together and following this policy, Man with Van Osterley aims to provide a safe, efficient and professional removal service for all customers across our service area.
