Man with Van Enfield Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Enfield is committed to providing a professional, reliable and safe removals service. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to protecting the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our activities.

Our work involves handling furniture, appliances, boxes and personal belongings in homes, offices and other premises, as well as loading and unloading vehicles. We recognise that this type of work carries particular risks, including manual handling, vehicle movements and working in varied environments. We are committed to managing these risks responsibly and continuously improving our safety standards.

Policy Aims and Responsibilities

The primary aim of this policy is to prevent injury and ill health arising from our removal and transport operations. We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation and relevant guidance for the moving and storage industry.

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who will ensure that adequate resources are made available to implement this policy. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day implementation, including briefings, checks and monitoring on jobs. All workers have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions, and to cooperate fully with this policy.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We identify, assess and manage the risks associated with our activities. Before starting a removal or delivery, our team considers factors such as access routes, stairs, lifts, parking, loading areas, floor conditions, weather and any specific customer requirements that may affect safety.

Where significant risks are identified, appropriate control measures are put in place. These can include planning safer routes through the property, splitting heavy loads, using suitable lifting equipment, increasing staffing levels, and agreeing ground rules with the customer for keeping pathways clear. Safe systems of work are reviewed regularly and adjusted in light of experience, incident reports and industry guidance.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core aspect of our removals service. To reduce the risk of strain, sprain and other musculoskeletal injuries, our teams are trained in safe lifting and carrying techniques. This includes assessing the weight and shape of items, lifting with a stable stance, keeping loads close to the body, avoiding twisting, and working as a team on heavier or awkward items.

Where possible, handling risks are further reduced by using suitable equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, trolleys, straps and furniture blankets. Equipment is inspected regularly and taken out of use if damaged or unsafe. We avoid unsafe shortcuts, such as lifting items that are beyond the capacity of the individual or the team, or carrying items up or down stairs without proper coordination and communication.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our work and are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, mirrors, securing points and other key components. Any defects are reported promptly and addressed before the vehicle is used again for removals.

Drivers are expected to hold the appropriate licences, follow the Highway Code and drive in a manner that prioritises safety over speed. Loads are positioned and secured carefully to prevent movement, reduce the risk of damage and ensure vehicle stability. Parking and unloading areas are chosen and managed, as far as reasonably practicable, to minimise risks to pedestrians and other road users.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We have a duty of care to protect customers, visitors, neighbours and other members of the public while we are carrying out removals, collections or deliveries. Our teams work to keep access routes tidy, avoid leaving trip hazards such as loose packing materials or tools, and use caution when moving large items through doorways, corridors and shared spaces.

Where necessary, we may ask customers to keep children and pets away from working areas and to avoid using particular routes while heavy lifting is in progress. We will always treat customers and their property with respect, and will cooperate with any reasonable house rules that support a safe and orderly move.

Training, Information and Supervision

We ensure that staff and regular contractors receive appropriate health and safety training for the work they carry out. This may include induction training, manual handling, use of lifting aids, safe loading and unloading of vehicles, and awareness of common hazards in removal work.

Information on safe working procedures is communicated through briefings and verbal instructions before and during jobs. Less experienced staff are supervised by more experienced colleagues until they are competent to work more independently. We encourage open communication, so that workers can raise concerns about safety without hesitation.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents and near misses that occur during our work are taken seriously, whether they affect staff, customers or the public. The details of any incident are recorded, and where appropriate, steps are taken to prevent a recurrence. This may involve revising our risk assessments, updating procedures, providing additional training or changing equipment.

First aid arrangements are made in line with the size and nature of our operations. Vehicles carry basic first aid supplies suitable for minor injuries, and staff know how to seek further medical assistance when needed.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

The physical demands of removal work mean that staff must be fit for the tasks they carry out. Workers are expected to inform management of any health conditions that could be affected by heavy lifting or other aspects of the job, so that adjustments can be considered. We discourage unsafe practices such as working while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or continuing to lift and carry when experiencing pain or fatigue.

We recognise the importance of welfare and reasonable rest, and take into account journey times, loading tasks and seasonal conditions such as heat or cold when planning work.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains suitable and effective for the services offered by Man with Van Enfield. Reviews may be prompted by changes in legislation, industry guidance, the introduction of new equipment or vehicles, or learning from incidents and customer feedback.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, we aim to provide a safe removals service that protects our staff, our customers and the wider community while delivering efficient and careful transport of goods.