Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Holloway Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Holloway is committed to providing removal and transport services in a way that safeguards the health, safety and welfare of our customers, employees, subcontractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, loading and unloading, driving, and handling customers belongings.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to conduct all removal and transport activities safely and to continuously improve our health and safety performance. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries, ill health and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and applying effective control measures during every job.

This policy applies to all staff and workers engaged by Man With a Van Holloway, including permanent and temporary workers, as well as subcontracted drivers and porters. All individuals working for or on behalf of the company are expected to cooperate with the implementation of this policy.

Management Responsibilities

Company management is responsible for ensuring that appropriate systems, procedures and resources are in place to maintain high standards of health and safety. This includes planning work safely, providing information, instruction, supervision and training, and monitoring performance.

Management will ensure that:

Suitable risk assessments are carried out for typical removal and delivery activities. Safe systems of work are developed for lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and securing loads. Vehicles and equipment used for removal jobs are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Staff are competent to carry out their roles and receive refresher training where required. Accidents, incidents and near misses are recorded, investigated and reviewed so that lessons are learned and improvements are made.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and subcontractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Everyone working with Man With a Van Holloway must:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided. Use equipment, tools and vehicles correctly and report any defects immediately. Cooperate with risk assessments and health and safety inspections. Wear suitable clothing and, where provided, personal protective equipment. Report all accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out ongoing risk assessments for typical activities carried out by a removal company, such as packing, lifting and moving items, navigating stairs and narrow access areas, loading and unloading vehicles, and driving between locations. For each job, our team considers the specific layout of the collection and delivery addresses, the nature of items to be moved and any particular hazards that may be present.

Where higher risks are identified, such as heavy or awkward loads, fragile items, or limited access, we adopt additional control measures. These may include using extra manpower, employing handling aids, changing the route of movement, or planning additional time for loading and unloading. Work is planned so that tasks are carried out safely and methodically, reducing the risk of injury or damage.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our services and is a primary focus of our safety arrangements. Our team are trained in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of handling equipment such as trolleys and straps. Employees are instructed to:

Avoid lifting items that are beyond their capability. Seek assistance or use handling aids for bulky or heavy objects. Keep loads close to the body, maintain good posture and avoid twisting while carrying. Clear pathways before moving large items to prevent slips, trips and falls.

Handling equipment is inspected regularly and taken out of service if defective. Only trained personnel are permitted to use any specialist lifting or securing equipment.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our drivers are responsible for the safe operation of vehicles used in removal and transport work. We ensure that vehicles are maintained in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Pre-use checks are carried out to identify any issues affecting safety, such as tyres, lights, mirrors and securing points.

Drivers must comply with all road traffic regulations, drive within speed limits and adjust driving style to suit traffic, weather and load conditions. Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit, and vehicles are not overloaded. Drivers are required to be fit to drive, free from alcohol or drugs that may impair judgement, and must take appropriate breaks to prevent fatigue.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers and members of the public during removal operations. Our staff take care to plan loading and unloading activities to minimise obstruction to pavements, entrances and shared areas. Where necessary, we will temporarily restrict access to an area while heavy items are being moved.

Team members are instructed to be mindful of trip hazards such as boxes, packing materials and equipment. We aim to keep work areas as tidy as practicable, and we remove our equipment and waste materials from the premises once work is complete. Customers are encouraged to keep children and pets away from active work areas while items are being carried.

Training, Communication and Consultation

Man With a Van Holloway provides training appropriate to the tasks carried out by our staff. This includes induction training on company safety procedures, manual handling, safe loading and unloading, and reporting of incidents. Additional guidance is provided when new equipment, vehicles or working methods are introduced.

We promote open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are encouraged to raise any concerns or suggestions for improving safety with their supervisor. Feedback from staff and customers is taken into account when reviewing and updating our procedures.

Accident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences that happen during removal or transport work must be reported promptly. We maintain records of such events, investigate their causes and implement corrective actions where necessary.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are changes in our operations, equipment, vehicles or relevant regulations. By actively managing health and safety, Man With a Van Holloway aims to provide a reliable, responsible and professional removal service that protects everyone involved.