Man with Van Hoxton Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Hoxton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport services. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, unloading and transporting goods, and to complying with all applicable health and safety legislation and guidance.

Policy Aims

The aims of this policy are to prevent injury and ill health, to continuously improve our health and safety performance, and to promote a positive safety culture throughout our removal operations. We seek to identify, assess and control risks related to lifting and carrying, vehicle movements, handling of customer belongings, working in and around properties, and any other activities required to deliver our services.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man with Van Hoxton has overall responsibility for the implementation, monitoring and review of this Health and Safety policy. Management will ensure that:

Clear procedures are in place for planning and carrying out removal and transport work safely. Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are conducted and kept up to date. Appropriate equipment, vehicles and protective measures are provided and maintained in a safe condition. All staff receive relevant information, instruction, training and supervision for the tasks they undertake. Incidents, accidents and near misses are recorded, investigated and used to improve our controls. This policy is reviewed regularly and revised when required by changes in legislation, guidance or our operations.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and regular worker for Man with Van Hoxton has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions at work. All workers are expected to:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and site rules. Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear in the correct and safe manner. Report accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions promptly. Participate in mandatory training and safety briefings. Co operate fully with management on all health and safety matters.

Failure to comply with safety requirements may result in disciplinary action, as safety is a core value of our business.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our removal and transport activities, including domestic and commercial moves. These assessments guide the creation of safe working practices designed to reduce risk as far as reasonably practicable. Key areas of focus include:

Manual handling of furniture, boxes, appliances and other heavy or awkward items. Use of lifting aids, trolleys and protective equipment. Safe loading, securing and unloading of goods in vehicles. Vehicle access, parking and manoeuvring at collection and delivery points. Working on stairs, in confined spaces, and in shared or busy areas. Weather conditions and other environmental factors that may affect safety.

Before each job, staff must consider the specific layout and conditions of the premises and vehicle access, and adapt their working methods in line with training and procedures.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a key area of risk. Man with Van Hoxton will provide suitable training in safe lifting and carrying techniques and will supply appropriate handling equipment where necessary. Staff must:

Assess the weight, size and shape of items before attempting to lift or move them. Avoid lifting loads that are too heavy or awkward for one person and request assistance. Use trolleys, dollies, straps and other aids when available. Keep pathways clear to prevent trips and falls while carrying items. Take regular breaks when performing repetitive or strenuous tasks.

Equipment must be inspected before use and any defects or concerns reported immediately. No worker should use defective or unsafe equipment.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

Safe operation of vehicles is essential to our service and to the protection of our drivers, passengers, customers and other road users. Our drivers must hold valid licences for the vehicles they operate and must follow all road traffic laws and company procedures. This includes:

Conducting pre use vehicle checks and reporting defects. Ensuring loads are correctly distributed and securely fastened. Driving at safe speeds appropriate to conditions. Avoiding the use of handheld devices while driving. Not driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that impairs fitness to drive. Planning routes to reduce unnecessary risks and delays.

Vehicles are maintained on a regular schedule to ensure they remain in safe working condition.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our work often takes place at customer homes, offices and other premises, and sometimes in shared or public spaces. We take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors and the public from harm arising from our activities by:

Maintaining clear walkways, especially near entrances and exits. Using safe lifting and carrying routes to avoid contact with people. Placing items and equipment in stable positions to prevent falling or collapse. Minimising noise, obstruction and disruption during loading and unloading. Communicating with customers about any specific hazards or restrictions on site.

If an area cannot be worked in safely, staff must stop work and seek further guidance from management.

Training, Supervision and Communication

Man with Van Hoxton is committed to providing appropriate health and safety training for all staff. This may include induction training, manual handling training, vehicle and equipment training, and refresher courses where needed. Supervisors will monitor working practices and provide guidance to ensure procedures are followed. Safety information is communicated through briefings, written instructions and ongoing dialogue between management and staff.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to management. Records will be kept and reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Staff must cooperate with any investigations and follow any corrective actions introduced.

Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as fire, serious injury, vehicle collision or sudden illness. Workers are required to familiarise themselves with these procedures, follow the instructions given, and prioritise the safety of all persons involved.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes to our services, working methods or legal requirements. Any updates will be communicated to all staff, and old versions will be withdrawn from use. Continuous improvement in health and safety performance is an integral part of our commitment to delivering reliable and responsible removal and transport services.