Health and Safety policy
Man and a Van Harringay Health and Safety Policy
Man and a Van Harringay 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 activities. As a professional removal company, we recognise that our work involves manual handling, driving, access to properties, and handling customers belongings, and we are dedicated to managing these risks responsibly.
Policy Aims
The aim of this Health and Safety policy is to prevent accidents, injuries, and ill health arising from our removal and transport services. We will continually improve our safety performance by assessing risks, applying practical control measures, and promoting a culture where safety is everyone s responsibility.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man and a Van Harringay accepts overall responsibility for Health and Safety and will:
Ensure that appropriate procedures and safe systems of work are in place for all removal and transport activities.
Provide information, instruction, training, and supervision so that staff can carry out their tasks safely and competently.
Maintain vehicles, equipment, and tools in a safe, roadworthy, and fit-for-purpose condition.
Review this policy regularly and revise it as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, or company operations.
Investigate accidents, near misses, and incidents, and act on findings to prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and contractors working for Man and a Van Harringay have a duty to:
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided by the company.
Use the equipment, vehicles, and protective gear supplied in accordance with training and company guidelines.
Report hazards, unsafe conditions, defects, or concerns to management as soon as possible.
Cooperate fully with any investigation, risk assessment, or safety improvement measures.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before each removal or delivery job, we assess the work to identify potential risks such as access issues, heavy or awkward loads, traffic conditions, and environmental factors. Where necessary, a more detailed risk assessment will be carried out to determine suitable control measures.
Safe working practices include planning lifting routes, agreeing clear communication between team members, using the correct equipment for the task, and allowing sufficient time for loading, unloading, and travel. Work must not proceed if serious and immediate danger is identified until appropriate measures are in place.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a significant part of removal work. To reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other injuries, Man and a Van Harringay will:
Provide training in safe lifting techniques and correct posture.
Encourage use of mechanical aids such as sack trucks, dollies, and lifting straps wherever reasonably practicable.
Require team lifting for heavy, bulky, or awkward items and discourage lone lifting of high-risk loads.
Plan loading and unloading to minimise the need for carrying items over long distances, upstairs, or through confined spaces.
Allow staff to stop and reassess a lift at any time if they consider it unsafe or beyond their capabilities.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our drivers and vehicles are central to our operations. To manage road-related risks, the company will:
Ensure that all drivers are suitably licensed, experienced, and competent to operate the vehicles they use.
Carry out regular checks, servicing, and maintenance of all vehicles used for removal and delivery work.
Set expectations for safe and courteous driving, compliance with traffic laws, and adherence to speed limits and parking rules.
Require drivers to plan routes in advance where possible, allowing for weather, traffic, and loading times.
Discourage the use of mobile phones or devices while driving, other than permitted hands-free systems, and only where it is safe to do so.
Use of Equipment and Protective Gear
Appropriate equipment and protective gear will be provided where necessary for safe working, including items such as gloves, safety footwear, and high visibility clothing where required. Staff must use the items provided and report any losses or defects immediately so they can be replaced or repaired.
Only trained and authorised personnel may operate specialised moving equipment. Equipment must be inspected before use and taken out of service if any defect is identified.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
When working at customer premises, our teams will take care to protect both the property and the people within or nearby. This includes:
Maintaining clear walkways and avoiding trip hazards such as loose packing materials, straps, or tools.
Using protective coverings where appropriate to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and damage to surfaces.
Positioning vehicles and ramps safely to avoid blocking access, footpaths, or emergency exits.
Communicating clearly with customers about where it is safe to walk or stand while loading or unloading is in progress.
Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible, whether they involve staff, customers, or members of the public. This enables us to provide first aid where needed, fulfil any legal reporting duties, and learn from what happened.
Records will be kept of all reported incidents, and any patterns or recurring issues will be reviewed so that corrective actions can be taken and communicated to staff.
Training, Consultation, and Policy Review
Man and a Van Harringay provides initial and refresher training in relevant health and safety topics, including manual handling, vehicle safety, and safe working at customer locations. Staff are encouraged to raise safety concerns, suggestions, or ideas for improvement with management at any time.
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to ensure it remains current, effective, and aligned with the nature and scale of our removal operations. A copy of the policy will be made available to all staff and, on request, to customers and other interested parties.
