Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Ilford
Man and a Van Ilford is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and delivery activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and arrangements we follow to manage risk effectively and continuously improve our standards.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We recognise that professional removal work involves manual handling, vehicle operations, and work at different locations, all of which carry potential hazards. We aim to minimise these risks as far as is reasonably practicable by planning our work carefully, providing appropriate training and equipment, and promoting a strong safety culture across our team.
All managers and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that health and safety considerations are an integral part of our planning and daily operations.
Legal Compliance and Responsibilities
Man and a Van Ilford complies with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice relating to removals, transportation, and handling of goods. We keep our procedures under review to ensure they remain current and effective.
Every employee and contractor has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes following safe systems of work, using equipment correctly, and reporting any hazards, near misses, or incidents immediately to management.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out ongoing risk assessments of our removal and delivery activities, including but not limited to:
Identifying potential hazards at collection and delivery addresses, such as restricted access, stairs, uneven surfaces, or shared driveways.
Assessing manual handling risks associated with lifting, carrying, and loading items of various sizes and weights.
Reviewing vehicle loading procedures to ensure stability and safe distribution of weight.
Considering traffic and parking conditions in residential and commercial streets when planning each job.
Based on these assessments, we develop and implement safe working methods, provide clear instructions to staff, and adapt our approach to suit the specific conditions of each job.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of our removals work, and we place great importance on doing it safely. Our procedures include:
Training all staff in correct lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifting and the use of appropriate stances and grips.
Using handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and protective blankets where suitable to reduce strain and the risk of damage.
Planning routes in and out of properties to minimise the need for awkward movements, twisting, or lifting over obstacles.
No employee is required or encouraged to lift or move an item that they believe is beyond their capability or unsafe to handle, even with assistance. In such cases, alternative methods or additional help will be arranged.
Vehicles, Driving, and Road Safety
Our vehicles are essential to our removals service, and we maintain them to a high standard of safety and cleanliness. Man and a Van Ilford ensures that:
Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained in accordance with manufacturer and legal requirements.
Drivers hold the appropriate licences and are competent, experienced, and familiar with safe driving and loading practices.
Loads are secured using straps and appropriate securing devices to prevent movement during transit.
Drivers plan routes with safety and practicality in mind, taking account of local roads, access restrictions, and time of day.
Drivers follow all road traffic laws, drive responsibly, and do not work excessive hours that could lead to fatigue.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, neighbours, and the general public while we carry out removals. Our teams are instructed to:
Work carefully in and around homes, flats, and business premises to avoid causing damage or creating unnecessary risks.
Keep access routes as clear as reasonably possible and highlight any temporary hazards created by the work, such as trip hazards from equipment or packing materials.
Park vehicles considerately, avoiding blocking driveways or emergency exits and minimising obstructions to pedestrians and other road users.
Handle customers goods with care, following any specific instructions agreed in advance for fragile or high-value items.
Training, Supervision, and Communication
We believe that effective health and safety management relies on ongoing training and clear communication. Man and a Van Ilford therefore:
Provides induction training for new staff covering safe lifting, vehicle safety, customer care, and emergency procedures.
Offers refresher training and informal toolbox talks to reinforce safe practices and address any new or emerging risks.
Ensures supervisors and team leaders monitor working practices on site and correct unsafe behaviour promptly.
Encourages all staff to raise health and safety concerns openly and without fear of criticism, so that issues can be resolved quickly.
Accident Reporting and Incident Investigation
All accidents, near misses, or damage incidents must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record and investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions where required.
Lessons learned from incidents are shared with the team and used to improve our procedures, training, and risk assessments, helping to prevent recurrence.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Man and a Van Ilford is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We periodically review this policy to ensure it remains suitable for our operations and reflects any changes in legislation, guidance, or the scope of our removal services.
Feedback from employees and customers about safety matters is welcomed and is used to refine our approach and further reduce risks in our day-to-day work.
Policy Approval
This Health and Safety policy is approved by the management of Man and a Van Ilford and applies to all aspects of our removal and transport services. All employees, contractors, and representatives are required to comply with its provisions and to support our goal of maintaining a safe environment for everyone involved.
