Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Soho Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Soho is committed to maintaining the highest reasonably practicable standards of health and safety for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This policy applies to all activities carried out by our removal and transport teams, including packing, loading, unloading, driving and on-site handling of goods.

We recognise our legal and moral responsibilities to provide a safe working environment, to prevent injury and ill health, and to continually improve our health and safety performance across all moving and delivery services.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The primary aims of this Health and Safety Policy are to:

Promote a positive health and safety culture in all areas of our removal operations.
Identify, assess and control risks associated with lifting, carrying, transport and property access.
Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to enable safe working practices.
Protect customers, visitors and the general public from risks arising from our work.
Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.
Review and improve our safety procedures on an ongoing basis.

Management Responsibilities

Company management has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:

Ensuring that adequate resources are provided for health and safety, including equipment, training and supervision.
Setting clear safety standards for our removal services and monitoring compliance.
Conducting regular risk assessments for manual handling, vehicle operations and on-site work.
Ensuring that vehicles and equipment are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses and taking corrective action.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and contractor working with Man with Van Soho has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must:

Follow company safety procedures, instructions and training at all times.
Use provided equipment, tools and personal protective equipment correctly.
Report hazards, defects, near misses and accidents immediately to management.
Refrain from any unsafe behaviour, horseplay or shortcuts that compromise safety.
Cooperate fully with health and safety investigations, inspections and training.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments covering typical tasks involved in our moving services, including heavy lifting, stair work, use of trolleys, vehicle loading and unloading, and working in tight or shared access areas.

Findings from these assessments are used to create and maintain safe working procedures, which may include:

Planning routes and access points before arrival at the property.
Assessing weight, size and stability of items prior to lifting or moving.
Using team lifts, trolleys, straps, blankets and other aids where beneficial.
Securing loads within vehicles to prevent movement during transit.
Keeping pathways, stairways and access routes clear of trip hazards.
Stopping work if conditions are unsafe and seeking guidance from management.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our service, and we take special care to minimise the risk of injury. To achieve this, we:

Provide manual handling training to all staff, including correct lifting techniques and use of equipment.
Encourage assessment of each lift before starting and insist that staff do not lift loads they find too heavy or awkward.
Use additional staff or equipment for large or bulky items such as furniture and appliances.
Rotate tasks where possible to reduce strain and fatigue.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are integral to our work and must be operated safely at all times. We ensure that:

Drivers hold the appropriate licence and are competent to operate the vehicles they use.
Vehicles are regularly checked and maintained to a safe and roadworthy standard.
Loads are evenly distributed and securely fastened to prevent shifting.
Drivers comply with road traffic laws and drive defensively and considerately.
Parking and unloading are carried out with care to minimise risk to pedestrians and other road users.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers and the public during removal activities. We therefore:

Plan work to minimise disruption and hazards in shared areas such as corridors, pavements and entrances.
Use safe lifting zones and, where possible, keep members of the public away from working areas.
Provide clear verbal communication to customers about where it is safe to be during loading and unloading.
Take care not to obstruct emergency exits or access routes.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

All tools and equipment used in our removal services are selected and maintained with safety in mind. We:

Inspect trolleys, straps, blankets and other moving equipment regularly.
Remove defective equipment from service until it has been repaired or replaced.
Provide personal protective equipment where appropriate, such as gloves or safety footwear, and ensure staff use them correctly.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide ongoing health and safety training to all staff to ensure they are competent in their roles. This includes:

Induction training for new staff covering company safety rules, emergency procedures and safe working practices.
Job-specific instruction for tasks such as lifting, loading, securing goods and operating equipment.
Refresher training and toolbox talks to reinforce key safety messages.
Appropriate supervision for less experienced team members.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and damage to property or vehicles must be reported to management as soon as possible. We maintain records of these events to identify trends and improve our procedures.

Emergency arrangements include:

Providing first aid supplies in vehicles or at base locations.
Ensuring employees know how to summon emergency services when required.
Following clear procedures in the event of fire, serious injury, traffic collision or other emergencies.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage open communication about health and safety. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggestions or observations about any aspect of safety during our removal services.

This policy and associated procedures are reviewed regularly, and at least annually, to ensure they remain relevant, effective and aligned with current legislation and best practice.

Policy Commitment

Man with Van Soho is fully committed to providing a professional, efficient and safe removal service. By working together and following the principles outlined in this policy, we aim to prevent accidents and protect the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our work.