Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Holloway Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Holloway is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and the general public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles, responsibilities, and procedures we follow when carrying out removals, transport, and related services.

We recognise that our work involves manual handling, driving, loading and unloading vehicles, and operating in a variety of properties and locations. We therefore take a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and controlling risks associated with our operations.

Policy Objectives

The objectives of this Health and Safety Policy are to:

Promote a positive health and safety culture throughout our business and within every removal team.
Prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health associated with our services.
Provide safe systems of work for the lifting, carrying, and transporting of goods.
Ensure vehicles and equipment used for removals are maintained in a safe condition.
Ensure all employees receive suitable information, instruction, training, and supervision.
Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and relevant industry best practice.
Continuously improve our health and safety performance through regular review.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Holloway holds overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:

Ensuring risk assessments are carried out for typical removal activities and specific jobs when required.
Providing and maintaining vehicles, tools, equipment, and protective gear that are safe and appropriate for the tasks undertaken.
Ensuring that employees are competent and suitably trained in manual handling, vehicle safety, and safe working practices.
Investigating accidents, near misses, and incidents, taking corrective action to prevent recurrence.
Allocating sufficient resources to support health and safety measures and improvements.
Reviewing this policy regularly to ensure it remains effective and up to date.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors working with Man with Van Holloway share responsibility for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are expected to:

Follow the instructions, procedures, and training provided for safe working.
Use lifting techniques and handling aids correctly to avoid injury.
Inspect equipment and vehicles before use and report any defects or concerns immediately.
Wear appropriate clothing and any personal protective equipment provided where necessary.
Keep work areas, including loading points and vehicle interiors, tidy and free from unnecessary obstructions.
Report all accidents, incidents, and near misses promptly so they can be investigated.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We conduct risk assessments to identify the hazards associated with our services and to determine the measures needed to reduce risks to an acceptable level. These assessments cover, among other things:

Manual handling of furniture, appliances, and personal belongings.
Loading and unloading vehicles at residential and commercial premises.
Use of equipment such as trolleys, straps, and blankets.
Working in confined spaces, stairwells, and shared access areas.
Traffic risks when parking, reversing, and working near roads.
Slips, trips, and falls in and around properties and vehicles.

Based on these assessments, we establish safe systems of work that include planning the order of loading, assigning appropriate staffing levels for heavy or awkward items, and using handling aids where reasonably practicable.

Manual Handling and Lifting Practices

Manual handling is central to our removal operations, and poor technique can result in serious injury. To manage these risks, Man with Van Holloway:

Provides training in safe lifting and carrying techniques.
Encourages team lifting for heavy, bulky, or awkward items rather than single-person lifts.
Uses trolleys, dollies, straps, and other aids when it is safe and reasonable to do so.
Plans access routes in advance, including staircases and narrow corridors, to minimise strain and reduce the chance of damage or injury.
Avoids unnecessary carrying by positioning vehicles as close as safely possible to collection and delivery points.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are an essential part of our service, and their safe operation is a priority. We ensure that:

Vehicles are regularly serviced and maintained in a roadworthy condition.
Drivers hold the appropriate driving licences and are competent to drive the vehicles they operate.
Loads are distributed evenly, secured correctly, and checked before departure.
Drivers adhere to speed limits, traffic regulations, and safe driving practices, including allowing adequate time for journeys.
Parking and unloading are planned to minimise risks to pedestrians and other road users while respecting local restrictions where applicable.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise that our work often takes place in occupied homes, shared buildings, and busy areas. To protect customers, visitors, and members of the public, we:

Communicate clearly with customers about access, timing, and any potential safety considerations on the day of the move.
Take care to keep routes clear of trip hazards such as loose packing materials, tools, or trailing straps.
Secure doors, gates, and common areas where possible to prevent unauthorised access to workspaces.
Handle customers possessions with care, ensuring that stacked items are stable and do not present a risk of falling.

Training, Communication, and Consultation

Man with Van Holloway provides ongoing training to ensure that all staff understand their health and safety duties and can carry out their work safely. This may include induction training, on-the-job instruction, and refresher sessions focused on manual handling, equipment use, and incident reporting.

We encourage open communication about health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise any concerns or suggestions for improvement, and management will consider these as part of our continuous review process.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We record and investigate such events to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Our teams are briefed on the basic actions to take in an emergency, including evacuating premises if required, contacting the emergency services, and notifying the customer where necessary. First aid provisions are available in vehicles or through trained first aiders where applicable.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes to our operations, legislation, or industry guidance. The latest version of the policy reflects our ongoing commitment to the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our removal services.

By implementing and following this policy, Man with Van Holloway aims to deliver a reliable, professional, and safe moving service for all customers.