Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Tufnell Park

Man with Van Tufnell Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, transport, loading and unloading, and related services.

Policy Aims and Objectives

Our primary aim is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment. To achieve this, we will:

Identify and assess hazards associated with lifting, carrying, vehicle movements and working in and around customers premises.

Implement appropriate control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Provide information, instruction, training and supervision so that work can be carried out safely.

Encourage a positive safety culture where staff feel responsible for their own safety and that of others.

Monitor, review and continuously improve our health and safety arrangements.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man with Van Tufnell Park has overall responsibility for health and safety performance within the business. Management will:

Ensure that this policy is implemented, communicated and understood by all staff.

Allocate sufficient resources for health and safety, including suitable equipment and training.

Conduct, or arrange for, regular risk assessments of our removal and transport activities.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, tools and equipment in good working order.

Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses and take action to prevent recurrence.

Review this policy periodically and when there are significant changes to our work or legislation.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular subcontractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their work. Staff must:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided by the company.

Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.

Adopt safe manual handling techniques at all times, using team lifting and equipment where necessary.

Cooperate with management on any health and safety matters and attend training sessions as required.

Refrain from horseplay, unsafe acts or working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Report hazards, near misses, accidents and any concerns to management as soon as possible.

Safe Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal work and presents a significant risk of injuries. To minimise this risk, we will:

Assess loads and access routes before lifting, including stairways, corridors and doorways.

Use mechanical aids such as trolleys, dollies and lifting straps whenever reasonably practicable.

Plan team lifts for heavy, awkward or bulky items, agreeing roles and commands in advance.

Train staff in correct posture, lifting techniques and load assessment.

Avoid lifting items that are beyond safe limits or that pose an unreasonable risk.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and must be operated safely at all times. Man with Van Tufnell Park will:

Ensure vehicles are roadworthy, regularly inspected and maintained in line with legal requirements.

Provide drivers with guidance on safe driving practices, including speed, parking and loading.

Ensure loads are properly secured to prevent movement, damage and risk to road users.

Plan routes to minimise risk, considering access restrictions, loading arrangements and traffic conditions.

Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, rest breaks and safe working hours.

Customer Premises and Site Safety

Our teams frequently work inside homes, offices and other premises. To maintain safety in these environments, we will:

Assess access routes, floors, stairwells and external areas before starting work.

Keep pathways clear of trip hazards by organising boxes, furniture and equipment safely.

Use appropriate protective coverings where necessary to reduce the risk of slips, trips and damage.

Coordinate with customers or site representatives on any specific building rules or restrictions.

Ensure that children, pets and bystanders are kept away from loading and unloading areas.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

The company will provide suitable equipment and, where needed, personal protective equipment to support safe working. This may include gloves, safety footwear, high visibility clothing and lifting aids. Staff must:

Inspect equipment before use and not use anything that appears damaged or defective.

Use provided protective equipment whenever required by risk assessments or site rules.

Store equipment safely within vehicles and premises to avoid creating hazards.

Hazardous Items and Restricted Goods

Man with Van Tufnell Park may refuse to handle items that present significant health and safety risks, including certain hazardous substances, flammable materials or items that are excessively heavy or unstable. Customers will be advised of any restrictions in advance where possible. Any hazardous items that are accepted for transport will be handled in line with relevant safety guidance.

Training, Information and Supervision

The company recognises that competent staff are essential for safe operations. We will:

Provide induction training for new staff covering core safety procedures and expectations.

Offer ongoing training in manual handling, vehicle loading, safe driving and equipment use.

Deliver additional instructions where a job involves unusual risks or complex access.

Supervise less experienced staff and ensure they work under guidance until competent.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We will:

Record details of incidents and investigate root causes.

Take corrective action to prevent similar events in future.

Cooperate with any statutory reporting obligations where relevant.

Ensure staff know what to do in emergencies such as fire, serious injury, road traffic incidents or structural issues at premises.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is a living document. Man with Van Tufnell Park is committed to reviewing and, where necessary, revising this policy on a regular basis and in response to changes in our operations, work methods or applicable legislation. Feedback from staff and customers on safety matters is welcomed and will be considered as part of our ongoing improvement process.

By working together and following this policy, we aim to ensure that every removal, delivery and related service is carried out as safely as reasonably practicable for everyone involved.