Man with Van Bromley Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Bromley is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods for domestic and commercial customers.

Policy Aims and Commitment

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our work. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to:

Identify and control risks associated with removal and delivery work.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and systems of work.
Ensure staff receive appropriate information, instruction and training.
Encourage a positive safety culture and safe behaviour at all times.
Review and improve our health and safety arrangements on a regular basis.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Bromley rests with management, who will ensure that this policy is implemented, communicated and reviewed. Management will:

Provide suitable resources to manage health and safety effectively.
Carry out and review risk assessments for our activities.
Ensure that vehicles and equipment are properly maintained and suitable for use.
Monitor safety performance and investigate incidents or near misses.

Employees and contractors share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment and must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others.
Follow all safety instructions, training and procedures provided.
Use equipment correctly and report defects immediately.
Report hazards, accidents, incidents and near misses without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We will carry out risk assessments for key operations involved in our moving and delivery services, including manual handling, loading and unloading, working at customer premises, and driving. Findings will be used to develop practical safe systems of work and guidance for employees.

Before each job, staff are required to consider the specific risks presented by the property, items, access routes and parking arrangements. Where necessary, additional control measures must be agreed before work begins. Any significant hazards or concerns must be reported to management.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a central part of our work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. We will:

Provide manual handling training appropriate to the tasks performed.
Encourage team lifting for heavy or awkward items.
Use equipment such as trolleys, straps and ramps whenever appropriate.
Plan routes in advance to avoid unnecessary lifting, carrying or twisting.
Discourage lone handling of items that are heavy, unstable or difficult to grip.

Employees must continually assess their own capability to lift and carry items and must not attempt to move loads that they believe are unsafe or beyond their ability.

Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety

We recognise the risks associated with driving and operating vehicles for removal and delivery services. To control these risks, we will:

Ensure our vehicles are serviced, inspected and maintained regularly.
Keep loading areas tidy to prevent slips and trips when entering or exiting vehicles.
Secure loads properly using appropriate restraints to prevent shifting during transit.
Plan journeys to allow sufficient time, reducing the need for rushing or unsafe driving.
Encourage safe driving behaviour and compliance with road traffic laws.

Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic pre-use checks, reporting any defects, and refusing to operate an unsafe vehicle. They must not drive when tired, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when their ability is impaired.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our staff often work in and around customer homes, offices and public spaces. We will take care to minimise disruption and protect the safety of customers, neighbours and passers-by by:

Keeping access routes clear wherever possible.
Using safe lifting and carrying techniques in confined or shared spaces.
Placing ramps, trolleys and equipment so they do not create trip hazards.
Communicating clearly with customers about any risks or temporary obstructions.
Taking extra care when working near children, pets or vulnerable persons.

Where conditions at a property are considered unsafe, staff must pause work and contact management for guidance before proceeding.

Equipment Safety and Maintenance

All tools and handling equipment used by Man with Van Bromley must be suitable for their purpose and maintained in good condition. We will:

Select equipment that is appropriate for the weight and type of items being moved.
Inspect equipment regularly and remove damaged items from service promptly.
Provide training in the safe use of any specialised tools or devices.

Employees must visually check equipment before use and notify management of any faults immediately.

Training, Information and Supervision

We will provide information and training that is proportionate to the tasks carried out and the experience of each employee. This may include induction training, manual handling techniques, safe loading and unloading, vehicle safety, and incident reporting procedures.

Less experienced staff will receive appropriate supervision until they are competent to work more independently. Training needs will be reviewed periodically and whenever work processes or equipment change.

Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, property damage and near misses that occur during work activities must be reported as soon as possible. We will investigate such events to identify causes and take action to prevent recurrence. Records will be kept and used to monitor trends and improve safety performance over time.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary, for example following changes to legislation, our services, equipment or work practices. We welcome feedback from staff and customers on safety matters and will use this information to enhance our arrangements and maintain high safety standards in all areas of our removal and transport operations.