Man with Van Surrey Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Surrey 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 removal and transport operations. This Health and Safety policy explains our approach to managing risks and promoting safety during all aspects of our work, including packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and on-site handling of goods.

We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and are dedicated to preventing accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health. Health and safety is an integral part of every removal service we provide and is central to the way we plan and deliver our work.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The main aims of this Health and Safety policy are to:

Identify, assess, and control risks arising from our removal and transport activities.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, and systems of work for all staff.

Ensure that employees are properly trained, informed, and supervised in all tasks.

Promote a positive safety culture where everyone takes responsibility for safe working practices.

Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Surrey is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy. This includes:

Ensuring risk assessments are carried out for key tasks such as lifting and carrying, loading vehicles, driving, and working at customer premises.

Providing suitable equipment for moving goods, such as trolleys, straps, blankets, and protective materials, and ensuring that equipment is maintained in good condition.

Making sure that vehicles used in removals and deliveries are roadworthy, regularly inspected, and suitable for the loads they carry.

Allocating adequate resources to support health and safety, including time for training, planning, and supervision.

Ensuring that all employees understand their health and safety responsibilities and are encouraged to report hazards or concerns without fear of blame.

Employee Responsibilities

Employees and contractors working for Man with Van Surrey must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided by the company.

Use vehicles, equipment, and protective gear correctly and report any defects or issues immediately.

Cooperate with management to help fulfil health and safety obligations, including attending training and participating in risk assessments where appropriate.

Report accidents, incidents, near misses, and hazards promptly so that corrective action can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out and regularly review risk assessments for our main activities, including house moves, office removals, furniture transport, and deliveries. These risk assessments inform our safe working procedures, which cover:

Manual handling techniques to minimise strain and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.

Safe lifting of heavy and awkward items, using team lifting where appropriate.

Securing loads correctly in vehicles to prevent movement during transit.

Maintaining clear access routes at customer premises and in loading areas.

Managing risks associated with stairs, narrow corridors, and uneven surfaces.

Working safely in different environments, such as residential properties, offices, and commercial premises.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our removal services. To reduce the risk of injury, Man with Van Surrey:

Provides training in safe lifting and carrying, including posture, grip, and team coordination.

Uses appropriate handling aids, such as dollies, sack trucks, and moving straps, whenever beneficial.

Plans routes in and out of premises to avoid unnecessary carrying and to reduce obstacles.

Assesses the weight and shape of items before lifting and refuses to move any load that cannot be handled safely with the available staff and equipment.

Ensures that staff know how to identify when additional help or specialist equipment is needed.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our commitment to safety extends to all driving and transport activities. We ensure that:

Vehicles are maintained, inspected, and cleaned regularly, with defects reported and addressed promptly.

Loads are distributed evenly and secured using professional restraints to avoid shifting during transport.

Drivers hold the appropriate licence and are competent to operate the vehicles used for removal work.

Driving schedules are planned to reduce fatigue and to allow safe travel times.

Drivers adhere to road traffic laws and operate vehicles with care and consideration for other road users.

Customer and Public Safety

We take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of customers and the public during removal operations. This includes:

Keeping work areas as clear and organised as possible, with safe walkways and exits.

Using caution when carrying large or bulky items through shared spaces, corridors, and entrances.

Communicating clearly with customers about any risks, such as trip hazards, during the removal process.

Minimising noise and disruption, especially in residential areas or shared buildings.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man with Van Surrey provides appropriate training and information to all employees involved in removal operations. This includes:

Induction training on company health and safety rules and procedures.

Task-specific training on manual handling, use of equipment, and safe driving practices.

Ongoing guidance, refreshers, and toolbox talks to keep safety knowledge up to date.

Supervision and support from experienced staff, particularly for new or less experienced team members.

Accident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, incidents, and near misses that occur during our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record and investigate these events to:

Identify root causes and contributing factors.

Take corrective action to prevent recurrence.

Review and improve our risk assessments and procedures where necessary.

Where applicable, we will comply with statutory reporting requirements.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals, or sooner if there are significant changes in our operations, legislation, or identified risks. We use feedback from staff, customers, and incident investigations to improve our safety performance and to ensure our procedures remain effective and practical for the services we provide.

By working together and following this policy, Man with Van Surrey aims to deliver efficient, reliable removal services while maintaining a strong focus on the wellbeing of our team, our customers, and the wider community.