Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Locksbottom
This Health and Safety policy sets out how Man with Van Locksbottom manages the safety and welfare of customers, team members and members of the public during removals, deliveries and related transport services. Our aim is to prevent injury, protect property and ensure that every move is completed in a safe, controlled and professional manner.
Our General Health and Safety Objectives
Man with Van Locksbottom is committed to providing a working environment where risks are identified, controlled and continually reviewed. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to:
Ensure that vehicles, equipment and working methods are safe and suitable for removals and transport tasks. Provide information, instruction and supervision to help staff work safely and responsibly. Reduce risks associated with lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and driving. Protect customers, visitors, neighbours and other road users from foreseeable hazards created by our work activities.
Roles and Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Locksbottom lies with the business owner or appointed manager. This person is responsible for implementing the policy, reviewing it regularly and making sure adequate resources are available to maintain high safety standards.
All employees, drivers, porters and helpers have a duty to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety procedures, training and instructions provided by the company. Use vehicles, tools, handling equipment and personal protective equipment correctly. Report accidents, near misses, hazards and defects without delay so that corrective action can be taken.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before work is carried out, Man with Van Locksbottom assesses the main risks associated with each removal or delivery. This includes looking at access to the property, parking arrangements, stairways, lifts, narrow corridors, heavy or awkward items, weather conditions and any particular customer needs.
Where significant risks are identified, we put in place specific control measures. These may include using extra staff, adjusting the route of removal, employing mechanical handling aids, splitting heavy loads into smaller components or rescheduling work where conditions are unsafe.
Safe working practices are developed for common tasks such as packing, loading, securing goods in vehicles, driving, reversing, unloading and handling fragile or high value items. These procedures are communicated to the team and monitored for effectiveness.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is managed carefully to prevent injury. Staff are trained in correct lifting and carrying methods, including keeping loads close to the body, avoiding twisting, sharing loads between two or more people and using the legs rather than the back to lift.
Mechanical aids such as sack trucks, trolleys, straps and moving blankets are used wherever reasonably practicable. Items that are excessively heavy, unstable or awkward are risk assessed individually and may require extra operatives or specialist equipment.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Man with Van Locksbottom keeps removal vehicles in a roadworthy condition with regular checks, servicing and maintenance. Pre-use inspections are carried out by drivers, who report any defects immediately. Loads are distributed evenly and secured using straps or other suitable restraints to prevent movement during transit.
Drivers are expected to comply with traffic laws, speed limits and parking restrictions. Journeys are planned to minimise risk and unnecessary mileage. Drivers must be fit to drive and must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that could impair judgment or reaction times.
Customer, Public and Property Protection
We recognise our responsibilities to protect customers, neighbours and members of the public while we work. Access routes are kept as clear as possible, and trip hazards such as loose packaging, ropes or tools are removed from walkways.
Where appropriate, we use floor coverings, corner protectors and other protective measures to reduce the risk of damage to property. Heavy or bulky items are moved carefully to avoid impact with walls, doors, fixtures and vehicles. We seek to minimise disturbance in residential streets by working considerately and keeping noise to a reasonable level.
Training, Information and Supervision
All team members receive basic induction training on the company’s health and safety procedures, safe lifting techniques, emergency arrangements and correct use of equipment. Additional training or refresher sessions are provided when work methods change or where risks indicate a need for further instruction.
Staff are supervised to ensure that safe systems of work are followed on every job. Where new staff are involved, they work under closer supervision until they have demonstrated competence in their duties.
Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting
Man with Van Locksbottom encourages the reporting of all accidents, incidents and near misses, regardless of severity. This helps us identify trends and improve our systems. Details are recorded and investigated so that root causes can be understood and corrective measures put in place.
Where required, serious incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities in accordance with applicable regulations. Lessons learned from investigations are shared with the team and may result in updates to our procedures, risk assessments or training programmes.
Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency such as fire, collision, serious injury, spillage or structural damage, staff are instructed to prioritise the safety of people above property or vehicles. Emergency services are contacted as necessary, and the area is made as safe as possible until help arrives.
Vehicles carry basic safety equipment, which may include warning devices, high-visibility garments and other items appropriate to our work. Staff are trained to follow safe evacuation and isolation procedures where an emergency occurs inside a property.
Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, vehicles, equipment or relevant legislation. We welcome feedback from customers, staff and other parties on safety issues and use that feedback to improve our processes.
By maintaining this policy and implementing it in day-to-day work, Man with Van Locksbottom aims to deliver a reliable and safe removal service across the areas we cover, protecting everyone involved in or affected by our activities.
