Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Paddington

Man With a Van Paddington 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 transportation activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, unloading and transporting goods for domestic and commercial clients.

Policy Statement

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health and property damage arising from our work. We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver removal services, from initial enquiry through to completion of each move.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man With a Van Paddington rests with the company management. Management is responsible for ensuring that suitable resources, training and equipment are provided so that work is carried out safely and without risks to health.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy during day-to-day operations, including vehicle loading, route planning, on-site conduct and job completion. They must ensure that staff follow agreed procedures and report any hazards, incidents or near misses.

All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. They must co-operate with the company on health and safety matters, use equipment correctly, follow safe systems of work and immediately report any unsafe conditions.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for typical removal and transport tasks, including lifting and carrying items, working in confined spaces such as stairwells, operating trolleys and equipment, and manoeuvring vehicles in busy streets and residential areas. These assessments inform our safe working procedures and training.

Before each job, our team considers any specific risks associated with the property, access points, heavy or fragile items and parking arrangements. Where necessary, additional measures are put in place, such as using extra staff for heavy lifts, adjusting collection or delivery times, or modifying the route taken through a property.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core element of our work, and we recognise the potential for injury if it is not managed correctly. We provide instruction and guidance to our staff on safe lifting techniques, team lifting, the use of equipment such as sack trucks and dollies, and the importance of planning each lift.

Our staff are instructed to:

Assess the load and the route before lifting.

Request assistance for heavy, bulky or awkward items.

Use mechanical aids where appropriate.

Avoid twisting while carrying loads and keep items close to the body.

We reserve the right to refuse to move any item that cannot be handled safely with the personnel and equipment available.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are inspected on a regular basis. Drivers are required to carry out basic pre-use checks and to report any defects immediately so that they can be addressed promptly.

We expect all drivers to comply with road traffic laws, drive considerately and account for the additional risks associated with operating vans in built-up and residential areas. Loads are secured appropriately to prevent movement during transit, and vehicles are never overloaded beyond their permitted capacity.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide appropriate equipment to support safe removals, which may include trolleys, moving blankets, straps and other securing devices. All equipment is checked regularly and removed from service if found to be defective.

Where the nature of the work requires it, we provide personal protective equipment such as gloves and safety footwear. Staff are responsible for using this equipment when required and for reporting any defects or losses.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer premises, we take care to protect both property and people. This may include protecting floors and walls where feasible, planning safe routes through the premises, and keeping access ways clear to prevent trips and falls.

We take reasonable steps to minimise disruption to neighbours and the public, including careful parking, considerate loading and unloading, and clear communication with anyone who may be affected by our activities during a move.

Training, Information and Supervision

Staff receive induction on our health and safety expectations and ongoing instruction relevant to their role, including manual handling, safe loading, personal conduct at customer premises and incident reporting. New staff members are supervised closely until they are competent to work more independently.

We provide information on specific risks where necessary, for example when moving unusually heavy, delicate or high-value items. Supervisors monitor working practices and provide guidance and correction where required to maintain safe standards.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, near misses and damage to property or vehicles must be reported as soon as reasonably practicable. We investigate such events to understand their causes and to put measures in place to prevent recurrence.

We review this Health and Safety policy periodically and following any significant change in our operations, relevant legislation or industry guidance. Lessons learned from incidents, customer feedback and staff suggestions are taken into account when updating procedures.

Customer Cooperation

We ask our customers to support our health and safety arrangements by providing accurate information about access, parking and any unusual or hazardous items that may need to be moved. Customers should keep children and pets away from work areas, ensure walkways are clear, and follow any reasonable instructions given by our team while the move is in progress.

Policy Review and Availability

This Health and Safety policy reflects the current approach of Man With a Van Paddington to managing safety during removal and transport services. It will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with legal requirements and good practice. A copy of this policy is available to staff, customers and others on request.