Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Barnes Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Barnes is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, handling, loading, unloading and transporting goods.

Policy Aims and Objectives

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm resulting from our work. We seek to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing effective control measures and reviewing performance regularly.

We will provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that our staff can carry out their duties safely, particularly when undertaking removals, lifting and carrying items, using vehicles and operating handling equipment.

Legal Compliance and Responsibilities

Man with Van Barnes will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, regulations and codes of practice that apply to our industry and areas of operation. We will keep this policy under review so that it remains up to date with changes in legal requirements and best practice within the removals sector.

The management team has overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. This includes ensuring that suitable risk assessments are completed, safe systems of work are implemented and that staff have access to the resources and training needed to work safely.

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. All staff must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards and cooperate with management on health and safety matters.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting any removal or delivery job, the potential hazards associated with the work will be considered. This includes assessing access routes, staircases, parking, loading areas, floor conditions, weather conditions and the nature of the items to be moved. Where necessary, a formal risk assessment will be undertaken and recorded.

Safe working methods will be adopted for each task, including the use of team lifting where single-person lifting would be unsafe, using appropriate handling aids where available and planning the route of movement to avoid obstacles and minimise manual handling risks.

Jobs will be scheduled and staffed to allow sufficient time and manpower for the work to be completed safely. Staff are instructed not to rush, cut corners or attempt to move items that are beyond their physical capacity or that cannot be handled safely with the equipment available.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core element of removal work and presents a significant risk of injury if not properly controlled. Man with Van Barnes is committed to minimising manual handling risks through careful planning, training and the use of handling aids where possible.

All staff involved in lifting and carrying will receive guidance on safe techniques, including correct posture, team coordination, load assessment and recognition of when to refuse unsafe lifts. Heavy or awkward items will be assessed individually and may require additional operatives, dismantling, or alternative methods of movement.

Staff are expected to report any pain, strain or near-miss incidents related to manual handling so that hazards can be identified and corrective action taken.

Vehicles, Driving and Loading

Our vehicles will be maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular checks carried out on tyres, lights, brakes and securing points. Drivers are responsible for carrying out daily visual checks and reporting any defects immediately.

Loads will be arranged and secured to prevent movement during transit, using appropriate restraints and padding. Heavy items will be positioned to maintain vehicle stability and to facilitate safe unloading at the destination.

Drivers will comply with road traffic laws, drive considerately and adjust their driving to suit weather, traffic and local conditions within our service areas. Mobile phones or other distractions must not be used while driving, except through approved hands-free systems in accordance with legal requirements.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer premises, our staff will act with care and consideration to protect property and ensure the safety of occupants and neighbours. Access routes will be kept as clear as reasonably practicable, and any trip hazards or slippery surfaces will be identified and addressed where possible.

Where work takes place in shared spaces or on public pavements, operatives will take steps to minimise risks to passers-by, including careful positioning of vehicles, use of safe lifting techniques and maintaining awareness of other people in the vicinity.

Training, Communication and Consultation

Man with Van Barnes will provide initial and ongoing training to employees appropriate to their roles and responsibilities. This may include induction training, manual handling training, safe vehicle operation, use of equipment and incident reporting procedures.

Health and safety information will be communicated to staff through briefings, instructions and updates when procedures change. Employees are encouraged to raise any concerns or suggestions regarding health and safety so that issues can be addressed promptly.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, injuries, damage and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records of such events will be kept and reviewed to identify trends, root causes and opportunities for improvement.

Where necessary, investigations will be carried out to determine what happened and to agree corrective actions, such as changes to procedures, additional training or improvements to equipment and planning.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as required to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, business operations or identified risks. We will monitor our performance through incident reports, staff feedback and periodic internal reviews.

Man with Van Barnes is dedicated to continuous improvement in health and safety. By working together and maintaining a strong safety culture, we aim to safeguard our workforce, protect our customers and maintain a professional, reliable removal service throughout the areas we serve.