Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Barnet
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures that Man and a Van Barnet follows to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors, customers and members of the public during all removals and transportation activities.
Our services often involve manual handling, driving, loading and unloading, and working in a range of residential and commercial environments. Managing risk in these situations is essential to delivering a safe, professional service.
Health and Safety Commitment
Man and a Van Barnet is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety. Our aims are to prevent injury, protect property, and reduce risks associated with removals, transport and related activities. We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice at all times.
We continually look to improve our procedures by reviewing incidents, listening to staff and customer feedback, and updating training and risk controls where necessary.
Responsibilities
Management Responsibilities
The management of Man and a Van Barnet has overall responsibility for implementing this policy. Management will:
Ensure that appropriate risk assessments are carried out for removal and transport tasks, including manual handling, driving, loading, unloading and working at different locations.
Provide suitable information, instruction, training and supervision so that staff can perform their duties safely.
Supply and maintain any necessary equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment in a safe condition.
Investigate accidents, near misses and reported hazards, and act promptly to prevent recurrence.
Review this policy regularly and update it where changes in legislation, activities or best practice require it.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular contractors of Man and a Van Barnet share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. They are required to:
Work safely at all times, following the procedures and training provided.
Use vehicles, tools, lifting equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Assess the risks of their own actions, especially during lifting, carrying, driving and working in unfamiliar premises.
Report hazards, near misses, accidents and unsafe conditions to management as soon as reasonably practicable.
Cooperate fully with management in matters relating to health and safety.
Customer and Public Responsibilities
While Man and a Van Barnet will make every effort to manage risks, customers are asked to support safe working by:
Keeping access routes clear of obstacles, pets and children during loading and unloading.
Informing the team in advance of any known access issues, building restrictions or potential hazards at the collection and delivery addresses.
Refraining from entering vehicle loading areas or handling equipment without agreement from the team.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Risk assessments are carried out for key aspects of our removal and transport activities. From these, safe systems of work are developed and communicated to staff. These assessments and systems cover, but are not limited to:
Manual handling of furniture, appliances, boxes and other items.
Use of trolleys, ramps and other handling aids.
Safe use and loading of vehicles.
Working in stairwells, confined spaces, shared corridors and car parks.
Potential exposure to hazardous materials or environments, where applicable.
Measures identified through risk assessment are implemented and periodically reviewed. Where conditions change on site, staff are expected to carry out dynamic risk assessments and adjust their methods accordingly, including stopping work if they believe there is a serious and immediate risk.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a central part of our work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. Staff are trained to:
Assess the weight, shape and stability of items before attempting to lift or move them.
Use team lifts and mechanical aids wherever possible, particularly for heavy, bulky or awkward items.
Keep loads close to the body, maintain a stable posture and avoid twisting while lifting or carrying.
Refuse to move items that are judged unsafe to handle with the resources and equipment available on site.
Any customer requests that could compromise safe lifting techniques will be discussed and, if necessary, declined in the interests of health and safety.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Man and a Van Barnet takes vehicle safety and driving standards seriously. Our approach includes:
Ensuring vehicles used for removals and transport are regularly inspected, serviced and fit for purpose.
Requiring drivers to hold appropriate licences and to follow road traffic laws and safe driving practices at all times.
Checking that loads are distributed evenly, secured properly and do not exceed vehicle weight limits.
Planning journeys to allow for rest breaks, realistic timings and adverse weather or traffic conditions where possible.
Prohibiting driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair ability.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risk assessments identify the need for personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear, gloves or high-visibility garments, these will be provided as required. Staff are expected to wear such equipment when undertaking relevant tasks and to report any damage or loss immediately.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported to management. Records are maintained to help identify trends and inform improvements in our safety procedures.
Staff are briefed on emergency procedures relevant to their work, including fire safety, vehicle breakdowns, first aid arrangements and dealing with aggressive or unsafe behaviour in or around properties. When working at customer sites, teams will familiarise themselves with any site-specific emergency exits or instructions that are communicated to them.
Training, Communication and Review
Health and safety training is provided to all new staff as part of their induction and refreshed as needed. This may cover manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, hazard awareness and incident reporting.
Updates to procedures are communicated promptly to staff. This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains appropriate to the scale and nature of the services provided by Man and a Van Barnet and continues to reflect current legal requirements and best practice within the removals and transport sector.
By following this Health and Safety Policy, we aim to provide a reliable, efficient and safe removal and transport service for all customers while protecting the wellbeing of our staff and the wider public.
