Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Walthamstow Man and Van

Walthamstow Man and Van 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 transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with lifting, moving, loading, driving, and working in domestic and commercial environments.

1. Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health and to promote a culture of safety in all areas of our man and van and removal services. We aim to identify and control hazards associated with manual handling, use of vehicles, and access to premises so that risks are reduced as far as is reasonably practicable.

This policy applies to all staff, including permanent, temporary, and agency workers, as well as sub-contractors working on our behalf. It also guides how we interact with customers at homes, offices, storage facilities, and other collection and delivery locations.

2. Legal Compliance and Continuous Improvement

Walthamstow Man and Van will comply with relevant health and safety legislation, guidance, and industry best practices related to removal, transport, and logistics activities. We regularly review our procedures, risk assessments, and training to ensure that our standards remain current and effective.

We are committed to continuous improvement. Lessons learned from incidents, near misses, and customer feedback are used to refine our working methods and to prevent recurrence.

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are available to support safe working. This includes:

Providing appropriate training, information, and supervision to staff so they can carry out their duties safely.

Carrying out and regularly reviewing risk assessments for removal and transport tasks.

Ensuring that vehicles, lifting equipment, and tools are suitable, inspected, and maintained in safe condition.

Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses and putting corrective actions in place.

Encouraging a positive safety culture where staff can report hazards and concerns without fear of blame.

3.2 Employee Responsibilities

All employees, including drivers and porters, have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees are expected to:

Follow company safety procedures, instructions, and training at all times.

Use vehicles, tools, and equipment correctly and not misuse or interfere with any safety devices.

Wear suitable clothing and, where provided, personal protective equipment such as gloves or safety footwear.

Report hazards, defects, accidents, or near misses to management as soon as reasonably possible.

Cooperate with management on all health and safety matters, including attending training and briefings.

4. Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We undertake risk assessments covering the typical activities of a man and van and removal service, including visiting customer premises, packing, lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, and driving. Control measures are put in place to minimise risk and are communicated to staff through training and written instructions.

4.1 Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our work. To reduce the risk of injury:

Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, including team lifting for heavy or bulky items.

Mechanical aids, such as sack trucks or trolleys, are used where appropriate and available.

Loads are assessed before moving to identify weight, size, stability, and any special precautions needed.

Staff are instructed not to lift items that are beyond their personal capability or that present an obvious risk.

4.2 Working at Customer Premises

Customer premises can present varied conditions. To ensure safety when working in homes, offices, or other buildings:

Access routes, stairs, and doorways are checked for trip hazards, obstructions, or damage.

Protective coverings may be used on floors or surfaces to reduce the risk of slips and to protect property.

Staff take care when moving items in confined spaces and are trained to communicate clearly with each other and with customers during moves.

Children, pets, and other non-essential persons should be kept away from loading areas wherever reasonably possible.

4.3 Vehicle Safety and Driving

Safe operation of vehicles is essential to our service and the safety of the public. We ensure that:

Drivers hold the appropriate licences and are competent to drive the vehicles they are assigned.

Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained, with defects reported and remedied promptly.

Loads are secured correctly, with weight distributed safely and within legal limits.

Drivers follow road traffic laws, including speed limits and rest breaks, and do not drive if fatigued or unfit.

5. Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide and maintain appropriate equipment to support safe removals, including straps, blankets, and handling aids. Where necessary, personal protective equipment is supplied and its use is monitored.

All equipment is inspected regularly and any damaged or defective items are taken out of service until repaired or replaced. Staff must not use equipment for tasks it is not designed for.

6. Training, Information, and Supervision

All staff receive induction training that includes our Health and Safety Policy, safe manual handling, vehicle safety, and procedures for working at customer sites. Ongoing training is provided when there are changes in equipment, working methods, or legislation.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring work on site, correcting unsafe practices, and supporting less experienced staff in following safe procedures.

7. Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly to management. Reports are recorded, investigated, and used to improve our safety performance.

Staff are briefed on emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, vehicle collision, or spillage. Where required, first aid kits are available in vehicles or at operational locations.

8. Consultation and Policy Review

We encourage open communication about health and safety. Employees are invited to raise suggestions or concerns so that we can continue to improve our practices across all removal and man and van activities.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, or the nature of our operations. The latest version is made available to all staff and may be provided to customers on request.

By following this policy, Walthamstow Man and Van aims to deliver safe, reliable, and professional removal services while protecting the wellbeing of our employees, customers, and the wider community.