Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Stepney
Man with Van Stepney is committed to providing removal and transport services in a manner that safeguards the health, safety and welfare of our workers, customers, visitors and members of the public. We recognise our responsibility to manage the risks associated with moving, handling, loading and transporting goods, and to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and guidance.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The objective of this Health and Safety Policy is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and unsafe practices throughout our removal activities. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective controls for every job we undertake, from small home moves to larger removals and deliveries.
We will maintain a culture where safety is an integral part of planning and delivering our services, and where everyone understands their responsibilities and is encouraged to report concerns or suggest improvements.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Man with Van Stepney is responsible for putting this policy into practice and ensuring the necessary resources are available to maintain high standards of health and safety. This includes providing appropriate training, supervision, equipment and information so that all work can be carried out safely and efficiently.
Management will regularly review working methods, vehicles, tools and equipment to ensure they remain safe and suitable for use in removal operations, including loading, unloading and transportation of goods in domestic and commercial environments.
Employee Responsibilities
All workers, whether employed, contracted or working on a temporary basis, share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. They are required to:
Work safely and follow all health and safety procedures and instructions provided by Man with Van Stepney.
Use lifting techniques, equipment and personal protective equipment as trained and provided.
Report hazards, near misses, incidents, accidents or damage immediately to the person in charge.
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and that of colleagues, customers and the public who may be affected by their actions.
Cooperate with any investigation, inspection or review aimed at improving safety performance.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before starting any removal or transport job, we will assess the risks associated with the task, the environment and the items being moved. This may include considering access routes, stairs, lifts, parking, weather conditions and other site specific hazards. Where necessary, a more detailed site assessment will be carried out.
Safe systems of work will be developed for tasks such as lifting heavy or bulky items, dismantling and reassembling furniture, and loading goods into vehicles. Where a task cannot be carried out safely, work will be paused until adequate controls or additional resources can be put in place.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of our removal services and can present significant risks if not managed properly. Man with Van Stepney ensures that workers receive manual handling training and guidance on safe lifting techniques, team lifts and the use of appropriate handling aids.
We will provide suitable equipment such as trolleys, dollies, lifting straps and protective blankets where needed. Equipment will be inspected regularly to ensure it is in good condition and safe to use. Damaged or defective equipment must not be used and will be removed from service immediately.
Vehicle Safety and Loading
Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition in line with legal requirements and manufacturer recommendations. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic pre use checks and reporting any defects or concerns to management.
Items will be loaded and secured in a way that prevents movement, damage or risk to the driver, passengers or other road users. Heavy items will be placed in stable positions and weight will be distributed evenly wherever possible. We will comply with safe loading practices and any relevant road traffic requirements when operating across our service areas.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
When working at customer premises or in shared spaces, we will take reasonable steps to minimise risk to occupants, neighbours and the public. This may include controlling access to work areas, using safe stacking methods for boxes and furniture, keeping walkways clear and minimising trip hazards from equipment and packaging.
We will treat all premises with respect, take care to protect floors, walls and fixtures where reasonably practicable, and promptly address any safety concerns that arise while work is in progress.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man with Van Stepney provides workers with the information and instruction they need to carry out their tasks safely. This includes induction training on company health and safety procedures, manual handling techniques, use of equipment, vehicle safety and emergency arrangements.
Additional training will be provided when new equipment is introduced, when work methods change or when risk assessments identify the need for further instruction. Supervisors will monitor working practices during jobs to ensure that safe methods are followed and will provide guidance and corrective action where necessary.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and damage to property or vehicles must be reported as soon as possible to management. This allows us to investigate causes, identify corrective actions and prevent recurrence. Records of incidents will be maintained in accordance with legal requirements.
Workers will be made aware of emergency procedures relevant to their work, such as what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, vehicle breakdown or road traffic incident. Where customers have specific emergency arrangements at their premises, we will cooperate with and follow those requirements.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary, including after significant incidents, changes in legislation, expansion of our services or introduction of new equipment or work methods.
Man with Van Stepney is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We will use feedback from workers and customers, along with data from incident reports and inspections, to refine our procedures and raise standards over time.
By working together and maintaining a strong safety culture, we seek to ensure that every removal, delivery and transport job is carried out with the highest regard for the wellbeing of everyone involved.
