Man with Van Bankside Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Bankside is committed to maintaining the highest reasonably practicable standards of health, safety and welfare for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all removal jobs, including domestic moves, commercial relocations and item collections and deliveries.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable incidents. We aim to provide a safe working environment, safe systems of work and suitable training so that our team can carry out their duties efficiently and safely. Health and safety considerations form an integral part of planning and delivering all removal services.

Legal Compliance and Responsibilities

Man with Van Bankside will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice relating to transport, lifting and handling of goods, use of equipment and the operation of vehicles on public highways and private property. We recognise our responsibilities as an employer and service provider to manage health and safety risks in a systematic way.

Management is responsible for implementing this policy, ensuring suitable resources are provided and reviewing performance on a regular basis. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for applying safe working procedures on each job and ensuring staff follow them. All employees and contractors must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before undertaking any removal work, we assess the risks associated with the premises, access routes, items to be moved and the equipment required. Where appropriate, this may involve site visits, discussion with the customer and dynamic risk assessments on arrival.

From these assessments, we develop safe systems of work that include the suitable number of staff, appropriate lifting techniques, selection of equipment such as trolleys and straps, and safe loading patterns within our vehicles. Where risks cannot be eliminated, they are reduced as far as is reasonably practicable and clearly communicated to the team.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our removal operations and is managed with particular care. Staff are trained in correct lifting and carrying techniques, team lifts, use of handling aids and recognition of loads that are too heavy or awkward to move safely without additional assistance.

We provide suitable equipment, such as sack trucks, furniture dollies, protective blankets and securing straps, to minimise manual effort and reduce the risk of back injuries and strains. All equipment is inspected regularly and removed from use if defective. Employees must not misuse equipment or attempt to move items beyond their capabilities.

Vehicle Safety and Loading

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition in line with legal requirements and manufacturer recommendations. Drivers are responsible for performing basic pre-use checks and reporting any defects immediately. Vehicles will not be used if they present an unacceptable risk.

Loading and unloading are carried out to avoid falls, trips, crush injuries and damage to goods. Loads are evenly distributed, properly secured with suitable restraints and kept within safe weight limits. Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, follow safe driving practices and allow adequate time for journeys to avoid unsafe rushing.

Protection of Customers and the Public

We take care to protect customers, their property and members of the public from hazards arising from our activities. Where necessary, we will cordon off working areas, manage vehicle movements safely, and maintain clear access routes at entrances, stairways and corridors.

Removal work can involve temporary obstacles and open vehicle doors; our staff are required to remain vigilant and take reasonable steps to prevent trips, collisions and other incidents. We also handle customer belongings with care to avoid avoidable damage and reduce the risk of sharp edges or unstable loads causing injury.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive appropriate induction training that covers our health and safety procedures, emergency arrangements, accident reporting and safe use of equipment. Additional training is provided on manual handling, working on stairs, dealing with large or fragile items and vehicle safety.

Information about specific risks on a job, such as restricted access, heavy items or time constraints, is shared with the team before work begins. Supervisors monitor work practices, correct unsafe behaviour and provide ongoing guidance to ensure our standards are consistently applied.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses, injuries and significant incidents that occur during our removal operations must be reported to management as soon as possible. This allows us to investigate the causes, record any findings and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.

Our staff are briefed on emergency procedures, including how to respond to injuries, fire risks, vehicle accidents and hazardous situations at customer premises. Where necessary, we will cooperate fully with emergency services and any third parties involved.

Wellbeing and Fitness for Work

We recognise that removal work can be physically demanding. Employees are expected to present themselves fit for work and must not undertake tasks that exceed their medical limitations. Any health concerns that may affect safe working must be reported to management so that suitable adjustments can be considered.

The use of alcohol or illegal drugs during working hours, or attending work under their influence, is strictly prohibited. Any prescribed medication that could impair concentration, coordination or reaction time must be declared and managed appropriately.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man with Van Bankside is committed to the continuous improvement of our health and safety performance. We review this policy at regular intervals and following any significant incident, change in legislation or alteration to our services.

Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed as a means of improving our procedures and identifying any areas where additional controls or training may be needed. All employees are expected to cooperate fully with this policy and contribute to maintaining a safe working environment on every job.