Man with Van Harold Hill Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Harold Hill is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our workers, 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 moving, loading, transporting, and unloading goods in our service area.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to prevent injury, protect health, and reduce the risk of damage to property. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to:
Identify hazards associated with our removals work and transport operations.
Assess and control risks through safe systems of work, training, and supervision.
Provide and maintain suitable equipment and vehicles in a safe condition.
Ensure clear communication with customers about safety responsibilities on site.
Review this policy regularly to promote continuous improvement in health and safety performance.
Responsibilities and Management Commitment
Overall responsibility for health and safety lies with the management of Man with Van Harold Hill. Management will ensure that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy and that health and safety considerations are integrated into planning for every removal and transport job.
All workers, whether permanent or temporary, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Workers must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, and report hazards, near misses, or incidents without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before starting work at any property or premises, we will consider the potential hazards and the layout of the site. Where necessary, a risk assessment will be carried out to identify issues such as restricted access, uneven surfaces, stairs, traffic routes, and weather conditions.
Findings from risk assessments will be used to plan safe systems of work. This can include allocating sufficient staff for heavy or awkward items, using appropriate lifting aids, planning loading sequences, and agreeing safe access routes with customers. Where a job cannot be carried out safely, we reserve the right to postpone or decline the work until appropriate controls can be put in place.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of our removals work, and we are committed to reducing the risk of back injuries, strains, and other musculoskeletal problems. We will:
Provide guidance and instruction on safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of handling equipment.
Avoid single-person lifting of excessively heavy or bulky items and use two-person or multi-person lifts where appropriate.
Encourage workers to assess each lift before starting, considering the weight, shape, and route.
Use trolleys, dollies, straps, and other aids where reasonably practicable to reduce the need to carry items over distance or on stairs.
Workers are expected to refuse unsafe lifts and to report items they believe cannot be moved safely with the available resources.
Vehicle Safety and Loading
Our vehicles are essential to our removal services, and their safe use is a priority. We will ensure that vehicles used for work are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are suitable for the loads they carry. Drivers must hold a valid licence for the vehicle they operate and follow all road traffic laws.
Loading and unloading will be carried out to minimise the risk of injury and damage. Loads will be distributed evenly, secured to prevent movement in transit, and checked before departure. Heavy items will be placed low and stable, and fragile goods will be protected with appropriate packing and securing methods.
Drivers and crew will take care when operating near pedestrians, parked vehicles, and property. Where needed, a second person may act as a banksman to guide vehicle movements in tight or busy areas.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We recognise our duty to protect customers, visitors, and members of the public while we are working at or near their premises. To achieve this, we will:
Maintain clear walkways and avoid blocking fire exits or escape routes with furniture or boxes.
Use caution when carrying large items around corners, through doorways, and on stairs to avoid impact injuries or damage.
Where appropriate, display simple warning cues such as verbally advising of trip hazards, loose coverings, or wet surfaces.
Request that children and pets are kept away from loading areas, vehicle access points, and stacked goods.
Take reasonable steps to minimise noise and disruption to neighbours and other building users.
Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
Any handling or protective equipment supplied by Man with Van Harold Hill must be used in accordance with training and manufacturer guidance. This may include trolleys, lifting straps, furniture blankets, gloves, and other items designed to reduce risk.
Workers will use personal protective equipment where necessary, such as gloves for handling rough or sharp items and sturdy footwear for protection against dropped loads. PPE is not a substitute for safe working practices but an additional control to reduce residual risk.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We will provide appropriate information and guidance so that workers understand the hazards associated with removal work and how to control them. New workers will receive an introduction to our Health and Safety expectations and safe working methods. Ongoing instruction will be given when new equipment, vehicles, or procedures are introduced.
Supervision will be proportionate to the experience of the workers and the complexity of the job. More complex removals or jobs with higher risk factors may require additional planning and oversight.
Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses
All accidents, injuries, incidents, and near misses connected with our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to investigate what happened, take any necessary corrective action, and update our risk assessments or procedures if required.
Where legally required, relevant incidents will be recorded and, if applicable, reported to the appropriate authorities. We will encourage open reporting without blame, focusing on learning and prevention.
Policy Review and Communication
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, vehicles, equipment, or legal requirements. Updates will be communicated to workers and made available to customers upon request.
By engaging Man with Van Harold Hill, customers acknowledge our commitment to working safely and agree to support reasonable measures put in place to protect everyone involved in the move.
