Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Catford Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Catford is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal activities. This Health and Safety policy outlines our approach to managing risks associated with our services, including domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading, transportation, and related activities.

1. Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures. Health and Safety considerations are integral to the planning and delivery of every removal job we undertake. We aim to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice within the removals and transport sector.

2. Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for Health and Safety within Man with Van Catford rests with the business owner or designated manager. They are responsible for ensuring that appropriate procedures, training, and resources are in place to manage health and safety risks.

Every employee and contractor working on behalf of Man with Van Catford has a duty to:

• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
• Follow all safety instructions, training, and procedures provided by the company.
• Use vehicles, equipment, and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately.
• Report accidents, incidents, near misses, hazards, and unsafe practices as soon as reasonably practicable.

Customers and others present on site are expected to cooperate with our staff to enable work to be carried out safely.

3. Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man with Van Catford assesses foreseeable risks associated with our moving services, including manual handling, vehicle movements, working in confined areas such as stairwells, and handling fragile or heavy items. Before starting a job, our team will, where appropriate, carry out a site-specific assessment to identify any particular hazards.

We implement safe systems of work that may include:

• Planning access routes for loading and unloading.
• Using team lifts and manual handling techniques for heavy or awkward items.
• Assessing the need for additional equipment such as trolleys and straps.
• Checking weather and lighting conditions that may affect safe working.
• Stopping work if conditions are unsafe and reassessing before continuing.

4. Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a significant part of our operations. To reduce the risk of injury when lifting and carrying items, we:

• Provide guidance and instruction on safe lifting techniques.
• Encourage team lifting for heavy or bulky items such as furniture and appliances.
• Avoid lifting loads that are too heavy for the team or unsafe due to their shape or condition.
• Use handling aids where appropriate to minimise strain.
• Plan the route for moving large items in advance to remove obstacles.

5. Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and must be operated safely at all times. Man with Van Catford will:

• Ensure that vehicles used for removals are roadworthy and maintained in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.
• Require drivers to hold a valid licence appropriate for the vehicle they operate.
• Expect all drivers to follow road traffic laws, drive courteously, and adjust driving to road, weather, and traffic conditions.
• Ensure loads are evenly distributed and properly secured to prevent movement during transit.
• Prohibit driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substances that impair driving ability.

6. Workplace and Site Safety

Removal work may take place in homes, offices, storage facilities, and other premises. Our staff will take reasonable steps to ensure that each working environment is safe by:

• Identifying slip, trip, and fall hazards such as loose carpets, wet floors, cluttered walkways, and poor lighting.
• Keeping access routes clear, particularly around staircases, doorways, and vehicle loading areas.
• Using caution when moving items through confined spaces and around corners.
• Taking care when working at height on steps or ramps and avoiding unnecessary use of unsuitable surfaces.

7. Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Where necessary, Man with Van Catford will provide suitable equipment and personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear, or high-visibility clothing, depending on the nature of the job. All equipment must be used as instructed and kept in good condition. Defective or damaged equipment must be reported and taken out of use until repaired or replaced.

8. Training, Information, and Supervision

We recognise that competent staff are essential for safe operations. Man with Van Catford will provide appropriate information and instruction on safe working methods, manual handling, vehicle loading, and emergency procedures. New staff and contractors will receive guidance before undertaking removal work, and supervision will be provided where necessary, particularly for complex or higher risk jobs.

9. Customer Cooperation and Access

We ask customers to support our health and safety arrangements by:

• Providing accurate information about access restrictions, parking, and property layout before the move.
• Ensuring pets and children are kept away from loading and unloading areas.
• Keeping hallways, stairs, and doorways as clear as possible.
• Informing our team of any fragile, unusually heavy, or high value items that require special handling.

10. Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, property damage, and near misses involving our staff, vehicles, or equipment must be reported to the responsible person within Man with Van Catford. Incidents will be recorded and reviewed to identify causes and implement corrective actions where needed.

In the event of an emergency, such as fire, serious injury, or road traffic collision, our staff will follow appropriate emergency procedures, prioritising the safety of people and contacting emergency services where required.

11. Review of this Policy

Man with Van Catford is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. This policy will be reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our services, legislation, or working practices. Updated versions will replace previous versions and will be made available to staff and customers on request.

By engaging Man with Van Catford, customers acknowledge our commitment to safe working practices and agree to cooperate with reasonable health and safety measures during the course of the removal service.