Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Sutton

Man With a Van Sutton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public affected by our removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, handling, loading, unloading and transporting goods in and around our service area.

We recognise our responsibilities under applicable health and safety legislation and are dedicated to continually improving our performance in this area.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The aims of this Health and Safety Policy are to:

Identify, assess and control risks arising from removal and transport operations.

Prevent accidents, injuries and work related ill health.

Promote a positive safety culture across the company.

Provide clear guidance to staff, customers and contractors on safe working practices.

Comply with all relevant health and safety laws and accepted industry standards.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Sutton is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring adequate resources are available to maintain safe systems of work. This includes:

Developing and reviewing procedures for safe lifting, loading and driving.

Ensuring all vehicles and equipment used in removal operations are maintained in a safe condition.

Carrying out regular risk assessments for typical jobs and specific projects where necessary.

Providing appropriate training, supervision and information to employees.

Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to identify causes and prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee of Man With a Van Sutton has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are expected to:

Follow all safety instructions, training and company procedures.

Use vehicles, tools and equipment only for their intended purpose and in a safe manner.

Wear any personal protective equipment provided, such as gloves or safety footwear, as required for the task.

Report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents and near misses without delay.

Cooperate with management on all health and safety matters.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Man With a Van Sutton will conduct risk assessments covering typical moving and transport activities, including domestic removals, office moves and item collection or delivery. These assessments will consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, working in confined spaces, working at height during loading, and risks associated with driving and parking.

From these assessments we will develop safe systems of work, including:

Planning each job to allow sufficient time for safe loading, unloading and travel.

Assessing access routes, stairways, lifts and parking locations before or at the time of the move.

Using correct lifting techniques and team lifts for heavy or awkward items.

Using trolleys, straps and other handling aids where appropriate.

Ensuring clear communication between team members during lifting and manoeuvring.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal operations and presents significant risk of musculoskeletal injury if not managed properly. To reduce these risks we will:

Provide manual handling training to staff, including correct techniques for lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.

Encourage staff to assess the weight and shape of items before moving them and to request assistance where needed.

Avoid single person lifts of heavy or bulky items wherever possible.

Plan handling routes to avoid unnecessary twisting, reaching or carrying over long distances.

Use removal equipment such as dollies, skates, straps and blankets when suitable.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are central to our service and must be operated safely at all times. Man With a Van Sutton will:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in a roadworthy condition.

Check that drivers hold the correct licences and are authorized to operate company vehicles.

Provide guidance on safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, rest breaks and defensive driving.

Require drivers to comply with traffic laws and parking restrictions while prioritising safety over convenience.

Ensure loads are evenly distributed and properly secured to prevent movement during transit.

Customer and Public Safety

We take reasonable steps to protect customers and members of the public during our operations. Measures include:

Maintaining clear walkways and access routes while loading and unloading.

Positioning vehicles in a way that minimises obstruction and risk to pedestrians and other road users.

Advising customers to keep children and pets away from moving operations and loading areas.

Handling customer property with care to avoid damage, instability or hazards created by unsafe stacking.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man With a Van Sutton will provide appropriate training and information to all staff relevant to their roles. This may include:

Induction training on company health and safety procedures.

Manual handling and safe lifting techniques.

Safe use of handling equipment and protective gear.

Vehicle safety, load securing and driving responsibilities.

Supervision will be provided particularly for new or inexperienced staff until they demonstrate competence in their duties.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, incidents and near misses that occur during our operations must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. We will record such events, investigate causes and implement corrective actions where needed.

Staff are briefed on basic emergency response, including contacting emergency services, securing the area to prevent further harm, and notifying management. Vehicles are expected to carry basic equipment such as warning triangles where required by law.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage feedback from employees and customers on health and safety matters. Suggestions for improving safety procedures or equipment will be considered by management as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice or the nature of our services. The latest version of the policy will always supersede previous versions.

Policy Approval

This Health and Safety Policy is approved by the management of Man With a Van Sutton and is applicable to all employees, contractors and operations undertaken by the company across its service area.