Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Stratford

Man With a Van Stratford is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our 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 risk and maintaining the highest possible standards of safety in our day-to-day operations.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health arising from our removal and delivery services. We will do this by identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing appropriate control measures, and promoting a strong safety culture across our organisation.

We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. Health and safety considerations are integrated into our planning for all moves, including domestic removals, small office relocations, and item deliveries within our service area.

Roles and Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Stratford is responsible for ensuring that effective health and safety arrangements are in place. This includes providing adequate resources, information, instruction, training, and supervision so that staff can work safely and responsibly.

All employees and regular subcontractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who might be affected by their actions. They are required to follow all safety procedures, use equipment correctly, and report any incidents, near misses, hazards, or defects without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our key activities, including lifting and carrying items, loading and unloading vehicles, driving, parking at collection and delivery sites, and working in shared or restricted spaces such as stairwells and corridors.

On each job, our staff will assess the conditions at collection and delivery addresses, taking account of access routes, steps, uneven surfaces, lighting, weather, and any other relevant factors. Where significant risks are identified, appropriate control measures will be applied, such as using additional staff, specialist moving equipment, or adjusting the method of work.

Safe working procedures are in place for tasks such as handling heavy or awkward items, securing loads in vans, and operating trolleys and other equipment. These procedures are regularly reviewed and updated as our services and operational methods develop.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core component of our work, and we recognise the potential for injury if it is not carried out correctly. All staff undertaking lifting and carrying tasks receive training in safe manual handling techniques, including correct posture, team lifts, load assessment, and the use of mechanical aids.

Where reasonably practicable, equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, straps, and blankets is used to reduce the strain of manual handling and to protect both personnel and customer property. Equipment is maintained in good working order and removed from service if defective.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained to a high standard and are subject to regular checks to ensure they are safe and roadworthy. Drivers must carry out basic pre-use checks and report any faults or concerns immediately so that appropriate action can be taken.

All driving is to be undertaken in a safe, responsible, and courteous manner, with particular attention paid to speed limits, parking restrictions, and the safety of pedestrians and other road users. Loads are to be distributed and secured correctly to prevent movement and reduce the risk of injury or damage during transit.

Customer Sites and Public Safety

Our teams work in private homes, shared buildings, commercial premises, and public areas. We take care to minimise disruption and ensure the safety of customers, neighbours, and passers-by while loading or unloading.

Where necessary, we will use spotters, signage, or temporary barriers to control access to work areas, keep routes clear, and prevent trips, slips, and falls. Staff are instructed to store tools and equipment tidily and to keep walkways and stairs free from obstructions throughout the job.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man With a Van Stratford provides induction training for new team members and ongoing refresher training for existing staff to ensure that safety standards are understood and followed. Training covers topics such as manual handling, safe loading, vehicle safety, use of equipment, and incident reporting.

Supervisors and experienced staff provide practical guidance on site, ensuring that safe systems of work are applied consistently. Additional training is provided as our services expand or new equipment and techniques are introduced.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, incidents, and near misses that occur during our work must be reported as soon as possible to the responsible person. This allows us to investigate what happened, take corrective action, and prevent recurrence where reasonably practicable.

Our staff are briefed on basic emergency procedures, including how to respond to injuries, fires, and road traffic incidents. First aid arrangements are in place appropriate to the nature and scale of our activities, and emergency contact information is made available to staff.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the importance of staff wellbeing in delivering a safe and reliable removal service. Employees are expected to present fit for work, free from the influence of alcohol or drugs, and to inform management of any health conditions that might impact their ability to perform tasks safely.

Reasonable adjustments to work methods may be made where appropriate to support the health and welfare of staff, while maintaining safe standards for colleagues and customers.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage open communication on health and safety matters and welcome feedback from employees, contractors, and customers. Staff are invited to raise suggestions for improving safety, highlight potential hazards, and discuss any concerns they may have about working practices.

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, and the nature of our operations. Our aim is to continually improve our performance and maintain a safe and professional removal service for everyone who engages with Man With a Van Stratford.