Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Monken Hadley

Man with Van Monken Hadley is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods, as well as working in customers homes, business premises and on the road.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, comply with applicable health and safety legislation and continuously improve our performance. We aim to identify hazards early, control risks to a reasonable level and ensure that our staff are trained and equipped to work safely when carrying out removal and man and van services.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Monken Hadley is responsible for implementing this policy and providing the resources, training and equipment necessary to work safely. This includes planning work so that removal and delivery tasks can be carried out securely, ensuring vehicles are maintained, monitoring working practices and reviewing this policy periodically to reflect changes in operations or legal requirements.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors are required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow safe systems of work, use equipment correctly, report hazards and incidents promptly and cooperate with training and health and safety instructions. No employee is expected to carry out work that they consider unsafe and concerns should be raised with a supervisor immediately.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man with Van Monken Hadley carries out risk assessments for typical tasks associated with moving and transportation work. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, trips and slips, working in confined or cluttered spaces, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, loading and unloading vehicles, securing loads and driving in varying conditions. Control measures are then implemented, and safe working procedures are communicated to staff.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal services and is a key health and safety priority. We seek to avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable by using equipment such as sack trucks, dollies and lifting aids. Where manual lifting is unavoidable, employees receive training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting and load assessment. Staff are required to assess the weight and shape of items, the route to be taken and any obstacles before starting a lift.

Use of Equipment and Vehicles

All tools, lifting aids, protective equipment and vehicles used in the course of our work must be suitable, maintained and used correctly. Only authorised and competent employees may drive our vans or operate any specialist equipment. Vehicles are regularly inspected for roadworthiness and cleanliness, and loads must be distributed evenly and properly secured before travel to prevent shifting or falling items that could cause injury or damage.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our work often takes place at customers homes, residential buildings and commercial premises. Staff are expected to take extra care in these environments to protect customers, visitors and the public. This includes planning access routes, keeping walkways clear, using doorstops and floor protection where appropriate, and avoiding blocking fire exits or emergency routes. Items must be handled and placed in a way that minimises risk of damage and danger to others on site.

Driving, Parking and Road Safety

Safe driving is essential to our removal and delivery services. Drivers must observe speed limits, traffic regulations and parking restrictions and must not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that impairs judgment. Adequate breaks must be taken on longer journeys to avoid driver fatigue. When parking for loading and unloading, staff should choose locations that minimise risk to pedestrians, other road users and themselves, and use hazard warning lights where appropriate.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where identified by risk assessments, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, high-visibility clothing or back support belts will be provided. Employees are required to use such equipment correctly and to report any loss or defect immediately. Personal protective equipment is considered a last line of defence and does not replace the need for safe systems of work and good housekeeping practices.

Housekeeping and Work Environment

Good housekeeping is vital in reducing slips, trips and falls during removal work. Staff must keep routes clear of packaging materials and debris, promptly clean up or report any spillages and ensure that tools, straps and trolleys are stored safely when not in use. Particular care must be taken on stairs, in narrow corridors, near door thresholds and in areas with uneven or outdoor surfaces.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Monken Hadley provides appropriate training and information on health and safety matters relevant to each role. This includes induction for new staff, practical instruction on manual handling, safe loading, use of equipment and defensive driving. Refresher training is provided when working practices change or when a need for additional guidance is identified. Supervisors monitor compliance with safe working procedures and provide further coaching where required.

Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly so that they can be recorded, investigated and used to prevent recurrence. Employees should inform their supervisor of any event that results in harm or has the potential to cause harm, even if no injury occurred. Corrective actions may include changes to equipment, revisions to procedures, additional training or improvements to risk assessments.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

Due to the physical nature of removal work, employees are encouraged to maintain fitness for work and to report any health conditions that could affect their ability to lift, carry or drive safely. We will consider reasonable adjustments where appropriate. Staff must not carry out manual handling tasks or drive if they are unwell, excessively fatigued or affected by medication that could impair performance.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant to our operations and reflects current legal and industry standards. Feedback from employees and customers, as well as the findings from incident investigations and audits, is used to improve our approach. All employees are encouraged to contribute suggestions that could enhance safety during our man and van and removal services.

By working together to follow this Health and Safety policy, Man with Van Monken Hadley aims to deliver a professional, reliable and safe service for every move and transport assignment we undertake.