Man with Van Dulwich Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Dulwich is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, handling, transport, and working at residential and commercial properties within our service area.

Policy Aim and Scope

The aim of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property arising from our work. It applies to all employees, regular subcontractors, and any temporary workers engaged by Man with Van Dulwich. The policy covers removals, collections, deliveries, packing, loading, unloading, and related activities on the road and on customer premises.

Management Responsibilities

Management will provide clear leadership on health and safety matters and ensure that this policy is implemented and maintained. We will:

Identify significant hazards linked to our removal operations and put effective controls in place to reduce risk as far as reasonably practicable.

Maintain safe systems of work for lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, and driving in urban and residential environments.

Ensure vehicles and equipment used for moves are suitable, regularly inspected, and properly maintained.

Provide appropriate information, instruction, and training to all staff so they can work safely and responsibly.

Review this policy periodically and when there are significant changes to our working practices or legislation.

Employee Responsibilities

Every member of the Man with Van Dulwich team has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety, and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff are required to:

Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training relevant to their role.

Use vehicles, tools, equipment, and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately.

Assess risks on arrival at each property and adapt working methods where necessary to control hazards.

Report accidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions to management without delay.

Cooperate fully with any health and safety investigations, audits, or improvement measures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for typical moving and transport tasks, and we review them regularly. These assessments consider manual handling, access routes, parking, traffic, staircases, confined spaces, weather, and other site-specific conditions. Our teams are instructed to:

Plan the route for moving items before starting work, including checking stairways, doors, and corridors.

Use team lifting techniques for heavy or awkward items and avoid working alone on high-risk loads.

Use moving equipment where appropriate to reduce physical strain and the likelihood of injury.

Stop work and contact management if a task appears unsafe or beyond our capabilities or agreed service.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key part of our removal service, and we place strong emphasis on correct techniques. Our approach includes:

Training staff in safe lifting, carrying, and setting down of furniture, appliances, and boxes.

Encouraging assessment of each load before lifting, including weight, shape, stability, and route.

Using trolleys, dollies, straps, and other aids to reduce manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable.

Ensuring only competent persons operate tail lifts and other mechanical devices fitted to vehicles.

Driving, Parking, and Road Safety

Safe driving is essential to protect our staff, customers, and other road users. We ensure that:

All drivers hold valid licences appropriate for the vehicles they operate and are medically fit to drive.

Drivers follow road traffic laws, observe speed limits, and adjust driving to local roads and weather.

Vehicles are loaded securely so that items cannot move or fall during transit.

Parking for loading and unloading is planned wherever possible to minimise risks to pedestrians and traffic.

Engines are switched off when loading or unloading where it is safe and practical to do so.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work carefully in and around homes, offices, and shared access areas. To protect customers and the public we:

Keep access routes as clear as possible and avoid blocking entrances or fire exits.

Use caution on stairs, landings, and narrow corridors to avoid collisions and damage.

Place items down safely, avoiding trip hazards, sharp edges, and unstable stacks of goods.

Take particular care where children, pets, or vulnerable persons are present.

Work respectfully around neighbouring properties and communal areas to minimise disruption and risk.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide ongoing training and guidance so that our staff understand their responsibilities and can carry out their roles safely. This includes:

Induction training for new starters, covering key health and safety rules and our working methods.

Practical instruction in lifting, carrying, vehicle loading, and use of moving equipment.

Refresher training when required, including when new equipment or procedures are introduced.

Supervision and monitoring to ensure safety standards are followed in day-to-day operations.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and significant incidents must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will:

Record incidents accurately, investigate causes, and take action to prevent recurrence.

Provide appropriate first aid provisions in vehicles and at our operating base.

Ensure staff know what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, or other emergencies during a move.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

Man with Van Dulwich is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. We will review this policy regularly, considering feedback from staff and customers, changes in our services, and any relevant legal or best-practice developments. Updated versions of this policy will be made available to employees and customers on request.

This Health and Safety policy reflects the values of Man with Van Dulwich and our determination to provide a professional, reliable, and safe removal service throughout our operating area.