Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Hounslow

Man With a Van Hounslow is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with our removal and man and van services, including packing, loading, transport and unloading of goods.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying and controlling hazards in all areas of our operations. Health and safety considerations are integral to our planning and delivery of every removal job, from small local moves to larger property clearances.

All members of our team share responsibility for maintaining safe working practices and for reporting any concerns, incidents or near misses so that we can continuously improve our standards.

Legal Responsibilities and Compliance

Man With a Van Hounslow complies with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised best practice for the removals and transport sector. We review this policy regularly to ensure it remains aligned with current legal requirements and industry expectations.

Each employee and contractor is expected to co-operate fully with these arrangements and to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before each job, we assess relevant risks associated with the property, access routes, vehicle loading, traffic conditions and the nature of the items being moved. Where necessary, we conduct on-site checks on arrival to identify any new or unexpected hazards.

Typical hazards assessed include manual handling of heavy or awkward items, trip hazards such as loose flooring or cluttered corridors, weather conditions that may affect safe loading, and any structural challenges such as narrow staircases or poor lighting.

Our team follows safe working procedures designed to minimise risk, including planning lifting routes, using appropriate equipment and ensuring adequate staffing for larger or heavier items.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and is one of our key safety priorities. All staff receive guidance in safe lifting techniques and in recognising when additional support or equipment is required.

Where appropriate, we use trolleys, dollies, moving straps and other handling aids to reduce strain and improve control. Furniture and appliances are moved in a way that protects both the item and the people handling it. Staff are instructed not to attempt to lift loads that are beyond their capability and to request assistance when needed.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition in line with legal standards and manufacturer recommendations. Routine checks are carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, securing points and loading areas to help ensure safety during every journey.

Drivers are responsible for safe and considerate driving at all times, observing speed limits and adapting to road, traffic and weather conditions. Loads are distributed and secured carefully to prevent shifting during transit, which could endanger road users, staff or customers' property.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer premises, our team takes care to protect both the property and anyone present on site. We aim to maintain clear access routes where possible, highlight hazards and reduce disruption to neighbours and other members of the public.

We will advise customers if we identify risks, such as unstable furniture, unsafe access, or the need to move fragile items separately. Where it is not safe to proceed, work may be paused while an alternative method is agreed.

Training, Supervision and Communication

All team members are provided with appropriate information and instruction relating to their role, including safe lifting, correct use of equipment, vehicle loading, and working safely in and around customers' homes and premises.

New or less experienced staff are supervised by more experienced colleagues until they demonstrate that they can work safely and competently. Health and safety guidance is reinforced through regular briefings and on-the-job discussions.

Welfare, Fitness for Work and Personal Protective Equipment

We expect our staff to present for work in a fit and safe condition, free from the influence of alcohol or drugs and able to carry out physical tasks safely. Any health concerns that may affect safe working should be reported so that adjustments can be considered.

Where tasks or environments require it, we provide suitable personal protective equipment, such as gloves or safety footwear, and ensure it is used properly. Staff are responsible for looking after any equipment issued to them and for reporting defects immediately.

Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, damage to property and near misses must be reported to the person in charge at the earliest opportunity. This helps us investigate what happened, take corrective action and prevent similar incidents in future.

Where appropriate, we will record the circumstances, contributing factors and any follow-up measures, such as changes to procedures, additional training or improvements to equipment or vehicles.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man With a Van Hounslow is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We review this policy periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our services, working methods or relevant legislation.

Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and used to identify opportunities to enhance safety, efficiency and the overall quality of our removal services across our operating area.

This Health and Safety policy applies to all activities carried out by Man With a Van Hounslow and forms an essential part of how we plan and deliver secure, reliable and professional moving services.