Man With Van Bow Health And Safety Policy

Man with Van Bow is committed to providing removal and transport services in a way that protects the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers, and the general public. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, driving, and working in a variety of residential and commercial environments.

Policy Aims And Objectives

The main aims of this policy are to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property during all removal and delivery activities carried out by Man with Van Bow. We will achieve this by identifying risks, implementing sensible control measures, and continuously improving our working practices. We recognise our responsibility to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and to promote safe behaviour at all times.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for putting this policy into action and reviewing its effectiveness on a regular basis. This includes ensuring that suitable resources are available for health and safety, agreeing safe systems of work, and monitoring performance. Managers and supervisors must lead by example, reinforce safe working practices, and make sure that every job is planned and carried out with safety as a priority.

Employee Responsibilities

Every member of staff and any contractors engaged by Man with Van Bow have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must follow all instructions, training, and guidance provided, use equipment correctly, and report hazards, accidents, and near misses without delay. Any disregard for safe working procedures may result in further action.

Risk Assessment And Safe Working Practices

Before starting any removal or transport activity, we assess the risks involved and take appropriate steps to remove or reduce them. This includes considering access routes, parking, loading and unloading areas, stairs, lifts, confined spaces, weather conditions, and the nature of the items being moved. Where necessary, we use additional staff, handling equipment, or revised methods to complete the work safely.

We develop safe systems of work for typical tasks carried out by our teams and review them regularly. Staff are informed about these procedures and are expected to follow them on every job.

Manual Handling And Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is an area of significant risk. Man with Van Bow is committed to minimising the risk of back injuries, strains, and other musculoskeletal disorders by:

Providing practical training in correct lifting techniques, team handling, and the use of trolleys, straps, and other aids. Planning lifts in advance to avoid unnecessary carrying and awkward routes. Limiting the size and weight of individual loads where possible. Encouraging staff to refuse to lift items that are unsafe to move without additional support or equipment.

Vehicle Safety And Safe Driving

Our vehicles are essential to our work and are maintained to a safe standard. Drivers must carry out basic checks, report any defects immediately, and never use a vehicle believed to be unsafe. We expect all drivers to comply with road traffic law, drive with courtesy, and adjust their driving for traffic, weather, and local road conditions.

Loads must be securely arranged and restrained to prevent movement during transit. Overloading is not permitted under any circumstances. Passengers must use seatbelts where fitted, and no person may travel in the rear load area of a vehicle.

Safe Use Of Equipment

Man with Van Bow provides suitable equipment to support safe removals, such as trolleys, dollies, ramps, straps, and protective materials. Staff must only use equipment for its intended purpose and must not operate any equipment they have not been trained to use. Defective or damaged equipment must be taken out of service and reported for repair or replacement.

Customer Premises And Public Safety

We recognise that our work often takes place in occupied homes, offices, and shared spaces. Our teams take care to protect customers, neighbours, visitors, and members of the public by maintaining clear walkways, avoiding trip hazards, and using warning signs or barriers where appropriate. We handle customer property with care and seek to prevent damage to floors, walls, and fixtures through the use of covers and protective methods.

Training, Information, And Supervision

All staff receive an induction that covers general health and safety requirements, safe manual handling, vehicle and driving expectations, and emergency procedures. Further task specific instruction is provided as needed. Training is refreshed at suitable intervals or when new risks, equipment, or working methods are introduced. Supervisors monitor working practices, give feedback, and correct unsafe behaviour promptly.

Incident Reporting And Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and instances of property damage must be reported as soon as possible to a manager or supervisor. Incidents are recorded and investigated to identify root causes and any improvements that can be made. Lessons learned from investigations are shared with staff to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Health, Welfare, And Fitness For Work

We expect staff to present for work in a fit state, free from the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, and able to carry out their tasks safely. Any medical conditions or injuries that may affect safe working must be reported, so that adjustments or alternative duties can be considered. Adequate breaks, hydration, and rest are encouraged, particularly during physically demanding or extended jobs.

Review And Continuous Improvement

This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, fleet, or working practices. Man with Van Bow is committed to continual improvement in safety performance and encourages feedback from staff and customers to help refine our procedures and standards.

Policy Communication

This policy is made available to all employees and interested parties. Managers will ensure that staff understand their responsibilities under this policy and are able to raise questions or concerns about health and safety at any time. By working together, we aim to deliver reliable removal services while maintaining high standards of safety for everyone involved.