Man with Van Shacklewell Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Shacklewell is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our workers, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks during house moves, office relocations, local deliveries and related services across our operating area.

Policy Aims and Commitment

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment arising from our activities. We will identify and control risks associated with manual handling, loading and unloading, driving, use of equipment, and work carried out in and around client premises.

We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. We will review this policy at regular intervals and when there are significant changes in our operations, vehicles, equipment, or working methods.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Shacklewell lies with the company management. Management is responsible for:

Ensuring suitable arrangements are in place to manage health and safety
Providing and maintaining vehicles, tools and equipment in a safe condition
Making sure safe systems of work are developed, implemented and reviewed
Providing appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision
Allocating adequate resources for health and safety measures
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses and implementing corrective actions

All workers, including drivers and porters, have a duty to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others
Follow company procedures and safe working practices
Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly
Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions or faulty equipment immediately
Cooperate with management in implementing health and safety improvements

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We will identify hazards and assess risks associated with our services, including collection, transportation and delivery of goods in homes, offices, storage facilities and other locations within the area we serve.

Risk assessments will cover, as appropriate:

Manual handling of furniture, boxes and equipment
Working in confined or cluttered spaces such as stairwells and small rooms
Use of trolleys, ramps and lifting aids
Loading and unloading vehicles at roadside or in driveways
Driving, parking and working near moving vehicles
Weather conditions affecting outdoor work and driving
Interaction with customers, visitors and members of the public

We will implement control measures based on these assessments, which may include planning the order of loading, using appropriate handling equipment, team lifting for heavy items, and agreeing safe access routes at each property.

Training, Information and Supervision

All workers will receive appropriate health and safety training relevant to their roles. This may include:

Safe manual handling techniques for lifting, carrying and setting down loads
Correct use of trolleys, straps, blankets and other removal equipment
Vehicle safety, loading and securing of goods for transport
Working safely on customer premises, including respect for property and personal space
Emergency procedures, accident reporting and first aid arrangements

Refresher training will be provided where necessary, particularly when new equipment is introduced or work methods change. Managers and supervisors will monitor working practices on jobs and provide guidance where improvements are needed.

Vehicles, Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Our vehicles will be maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular checks of tyres, brakes, lights, securing points and loading areas. Defects will be reported immediately and vehicles taken out of service where safety may be compromised.

Removal equipment such as trolleys, ramps, straps and blankets will be inspected regularly and maintained to ensure they remain safe for use. Unsafe or damaged equipment will be removed from service and repaired or replaced.

Where required by risk assessment, workers will be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment such as safety footwear and gloves. Workers must use such equipment as instructed and keep it in a clean and serviceable condition.

Manual Handling and Working Practices

Manual handling is a key element of removal work and will be carefully planned to reduce the risk of injury. Our approach will include:

Assessing the weight, shape and stability of items before moving
Using team lifts for large or heavy items such as appliances or furniture
Using mechanical aids wherever practicable to reduce physical strain
Keeping walkways, stairs and access routes clear of tripping hazards
Planning the route in advance, including doorways, corners and steps
Taking regular short breaks where work is physically demanding

Workers will be instructed not to attempt to lift items that they believe are beyond their capability or which may present a risk of injury or property damage.

Driving and Road Safety

All driving on company business must be carried out safely and in accordance with road traffic laws. Drivers are required to:

Hold the appropriate valid driving licence for the vehicle used
Carry out pre-use vehicle safety checks
Ensure loads are properly distributed and secured before departure
Adjust driving to suit traffic, road and weather conditions
Avoid distractions while driving and never use hand-held devices
Comply with speed limits and parking regulations

Journey planning will allow sufficient time for safe travel and rest, avoiding unnecessary pressure that could lead to unsafe driving.

Working on Customer Premises

When working in homes, offices or other locations, we will take care to protect people and property. This includes:

Agreeing access routes and parking arrangements with the customer
Using protective coverings where appropriate to prevent damage
Maintaining clear exits and not blocking fire escape routes
Being aware of others in the area, particularly children, elderly people or pets
Keeping tools and equipment tidy to minimise tripping hazards

Workers must behave in a professional and respectful manner at all times and follow any reasonable safety instructions given by the customer, provided they do not conflict with our own safety procedures.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, injuries, dangerous occurrences and near misses must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. We will record and, where necessary, investigate such events to identify causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

First aid arrangements appropriate to the nature of our work will be maintained, and vehicles will carry basic first aid supplies.

Review and Continuous Improvement

Man with Van Shacklewell is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. This policy and associated procedures will be reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes in our activities, legislation or industry guidance. Feedback from workers and customers will be considered as part of this process to help us maintain safe and reliable removal services throughout our operating area.