Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Colliers Wood

This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Man with Van Colliers Wood manages the safety and wellbeing of customers, members of the public, contractors and workers during all moving and delivery activities. Our services include home and office removals, collections, deliveries and related transport tasks carried out in Colliers Wood and surrounding areas.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

Man with Van Colliers Wood is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment wherever our services are delivered. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property by planning work carefully, using appropriate equipment, and following safe working practices at all times.

We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and seek to continually improve our standards through training, supervision and regular review of this policy.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who will:

Assess the risks associated with our removal and delivery activities.

Provide suitable equipment and vehicles that are maintained in a safe condition.

Ensure that workers are made aware of their duties under this policy.

Workers and contractors engaged by Man with Van Colliers Wood are responsible for:

Following the safe working procedures set out in this policy.

Using equipment correctly and reporting any defects immediately.

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

Customers also have a role to play by:

Providing accurate information about access, parking and any special risks at the property.

Keeping access routes clear of obstacles where reasonably practicable.

Supervising children and pets to keep them away from moving and lifting activities.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before work begins, we consider the specific risks associated with each job. This includes the type and size of items to be moved, access routes, stairs, lifts, external paths, parking arrangements and any time restrictions.

Where necessary, we may adjust the number of workers, the type of vehicle, or the equipment used to ensure that lifting and transport can be carried out safely. If, on arrival, we identify any serious safety concerns, we may pause work while a safe plan is agreed with the customer.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and can pose risks of injury if not managed correctly. To reduce these risks, we:

Encourage the use of team lifting for larger or heavier items.

Use appropriate equipment, such as trolleys, dollies and straps, where reasonably practicable.

Plan lifting routes in advance to avoid tight turns, trip hazards and unstable surfaces.

Workers are expected to refuse to lift items that they believe cannot be moved safely due to weight, size or condition, or where the route is unsafe. In such cases, alternative methods or additional support may be discussed with the customer.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Safe operation of vehicles is essential to protect our workers, customers and other road users. We are committed to:

Using vehicles that are roadworthy, regularly maintained and appropriately insured.

Loading vehicles securely so that items do not move during transit.

Respecting speed limits, parking rules and local traffic restrictions.

Drivers must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs, must be fit to drive, and must take appropriate rest breaks for longer journeys.

Safe Loading and Unloading

Loading and unloading are carried out with regard to both personal safety and the protection of property. We:

Position vehicles as close as safely possible to the entrance to reduce carrying distances.

Use safe lifting techniques and aids wherever possible.

Take care to avoid damage to walls, floors, doors and fixtures when moving bulky items.

Routes are checked for trip hazards, wet surfaces and other obstacles, and these are removed or controlled where feasible.

Household and Office Environment Safety

Our work often takes place in occupied homes, offices and shared buildings. To manage risks in these environments, we:

Ask customers to keep walkways clear of loose items and trailing cables where possible.

Encourage children and pets to be kept away from the working area during lifting and loading.

Take care when moving items near glass, fragile fittings or valuable objects.

In shared buildings, we consider other occupants and visitors and aim to minimise disruption and hazards in communal areas.

Use of Equipment

Where equipment such as trolleys, ramps, straps or protective materials is used, it must be suitable for the task and in good condition. Workers are instructed to:

Inspect equipment visually before use.

Stop using any damaged or defective equipment and report it to management.

Use equipment only for its intended purpose and according to training.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, injuries, incidents and near misses that occur during our removal and transport activities should be reported to management as soon as possible. This allows us to:

Provide appropriate assistance or first aid if required.

Record details for future reference and any necessary reporting.

Identify underlying causes and improve our procedures to prevent recurrence.

Health and Welfare

We recognise that removal work can be physically demanding. We encourage reasonable rest breaks, access to drinking water and suitable clothing and footwear for the conditions. Workers are expected to notify management if they have any health condition that could affect their ability to carry out specific tasks safely.

Training and Awareness

Man with Van Colliers Wood seeks to ensure that workers understand the key health and safety risks associated with removal and transport work. This includes awareness of manual handling techniques, safe driving practices, use of equipment, and procedures for reporting hazards.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our services, working methods or legal requirements. Updated versions will reflect any improvements in our approach to protecting the safety of customers, workers and the wider community during removal and delivery operations.