Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Strawberry Hill

Man with Van Strawberry Hill is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial moves, furniture transport, loading and unloading, and related services across our operating area.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health through effective planning, supervision and continual improvement. Our objectives are to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, to identify and control hazards arising from our work, to provide safe equipment and vehicles, and to ensure that all staff are competent to perform their duties safely.

Health and safety considerations are integrated into our day-to-day removal activities, including journey planning, manual handling of items, operation of lifting aids, and working at both private homes and business premises.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man with Van Strawberry Hill has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and for ensuring adequate resources are provided to maintain high safety standards. This includes maintaining safe systems of work, regularly reviewing risk assessments, and ensuring that vehicles and equipment are suitable and well maintained.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for monitoring working practices, correcting unsafe behaviour, and ensuring that staff follow the procedures described in this policy. They are required to lead by example and promote a positive safety culture throughout the company.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors working with Man with Van Strawberry Hill have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow training and instructions, use equipment properly, and report any hazards, defects, accidents or near misses without delay.

Employees must not misuse or interfere with anything provided in the interests of health and safety. They are expected to co operate fully with management in achieving our safety objectives, especially during busy moving periods and at locations that may present increased risks, such as narrow streets, shared access areas and multi storey buildings.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our typical removal and transport activities, including lifting and carrying furniture, packing and unpacking, use of trolleys and ramps, vehicle loading, and movement of items through confined or shared spaces. These assessments help us identify hazards such as manual handling risks, slips and trips, traffic movements, and potential damage to property.

Findings from risk assessments are used to develop safe systems of work. These may include team lifting arrangements for heavy or awkward items, protecting walkways and staircases, using suitable lifting aids where available, and carefully planning loading sequences to prevent shifting of loads during transit.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a major focus of our safety approach. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, including assessing the weight and shape of items, using correct posture, and working as a team when required. No employee is expected to lift or move an item they believe to be unsafe to handle.

We provide appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies, protective covers, straps and blankets to support safe handling and transport. All equipment is checked regularly and removed from service if found to be defective. Vehicles are maintained to a high standard to ensure they are roadworthy and suitable for carrying goods safely.

Customer and Public Safety

When working at customer premises or in public areas, we take reasonable steps to minimise risks to others. This includes keeping access routes as clear as possible, using warning signs where appropriate, and coordinating with customers to avoid unnecessary movement through work areas.

We encourage customers to keep children and pets away from loading and unloading zones and to inform us of any specific hazards at their property, such as uneven surfaces, fragile structures, restricted parking or shared driveways. Our team will adapt working practices where necessary to safeguard everyone on site.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive health and safety induction training relevant to their role, including manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, and emergency procedures. Further briefing is provided when new risks are identified or when changes are made to equipment or working methods.

Supervisors monitor adherence to safe working practices, provide ongoing guidance, and intervene if unsafe behaviour is observed. Refresher training is given as required to maintain competence and awareness, especially in relation to manual handling and vehicle operations.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Safe driving is an essential part of our removal service. Drivers are required to hold appropriate licences, follow road traffic laws, and operate vehicles defensively and courteously. We encourage careful route planning to reduce stress and avoid unnecessary risks, taking into account local conditions and property access arrangements.

Loads must be secured properly to prevent movement during transit. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic checks before each journey, and any defects must be reported immediately so that appropriate actions can be taken.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly to management. We investigate such incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Where necessary, we revise risk assessments and update staff training.

Employees are briefed on emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, injury, traffic collision or sudden illness. First aid equipment is available in vehicles or at designated locations, and staff are made aware of how to obtain assistance if required.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes to our operations, legislation, or industry best practice. We monitor performance through incident reports, staff feedback, and routine checks on working methods and equipment.

Man with Van Strawberry Hill is committed to the continuous improvement of our safety performance. By working together with our employees, customers and partners, we aim to deliver reliable removal services while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone involved.