Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Cranford

Man With a Van Cranford is committed to conducting all removal and transport activities in a manner that safeguards the health, safety and welfare of our customers, employees, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading, handling furniture and goods, and operating vehicles.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by identifying and controlling hazards in all areas of our removal operations. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance, maintain a positive safety culture and comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practices.

Health and safety is an integral part of the planning and delivery of every removal service, from initial enquiry to completion of the move. All managers, drivers, porters and support staff are required to follow this policy and the associated procedures.

Responsibilities and Management Commitment

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man With a Van Cranford rests with the company management. Management will provide appropriate resources, including training, information, supervision and suitable equipment, to ensure that work can be carried out safely.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy on a day-to-day basis, ensuring that staff understand safe working methods and that any health and safety concerns are addressed promptly. Every employee has 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.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our typical removal activities, including packing, lifting and carrying items, moving goods through buildings, loading and unloading vehicles, and driving between locations. These assessments are regularly reviewed and updated when new equipment, vehicles, services or working environments are introduced.

From these assessments, we develop safe working practices that set out how removal tasks must be performed. These include guidelines on team lifting, use of trolleys and other handling aids, securing loads in vehicles, working on stairs, protecting property, and managing access routes at collection and delivery addresses.

Manual Handling and Injury Prevention

Manual handling is a key part of our work and presents a significant risk if not managed properly. We are committed to minimising manual handling risks by:

Providing training on correct lifting techniques and posture. Planning each job to reduce unnecessary carrying distances. Using appropriate handling equipment such as dollies, sack trucks and lifting straps where suitable. Assessing the weight, size and shape of items before moving them, and allocating sufficient staff to manage heavy or awkward loads.

Staff are instructed to stop and reassess a task if they believe it cannot be carried out safely with the resources available.

Vehicle Safety and Load Security

The safe operation of our vehicles is essential to protect our staff, customers and other road users. All drivers must hold the appropriate licence and follow road traffic laws at all times. Regular checks are carried out on vehicles to ensure they are roadworthy, clean and maintained in line with manufacturer guidelines.

We place particular emphasis on safe loading and securing of items in transit. Loads are distributed evenly to maintain vehicle stability, and suitable restraints and protective materials are used to prevent movement and damage. Doors, ramps and tail lifts, where fitted, must be used according to instructions, and any defects reported immediately.

Customer and Public Safety

Our teams work in and around homes, offices and other premises, often in busy or confined spaces. To safeguard customers and members of the public we aim to:

Keep access routes as clear as reasonably practicable. Use warning where necessary when moving large items. Avoid blocking fire exits and emergency routes. Take care when operating near children, pets and vulnerable persons. Minimise noise, disruption and any risk from trailing cables, tools or equipment.

We encourage customers to keep non-essential persons away from active working areas while heavy lifting or loading is being carried out.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive induction training that includes health and safety responsibilities, safe lifting, use of equipment and incident reporting. Ongoing training is provided to refresh knowledge and introduce new procedures or equipment.

Supervisors monitor working practices on site and provide guidance and correction where needed. Instructions are given in clear language and staff are encouraged to ask if they are unsure how to perform a task safely.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide suitable tools and equipment for removal work, including blankets, straps, trolleys and protective materials. All equipment is inspected regularly for damage or wear and is removed from service if unsafe.

Where necessary, personal protective equipment, such as gloves or safety footwear, is supplied and must be used in accordance with our training and instructions. Staff are expected to look after their equipment and report any defects immediately.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses that occur during removal activities must be reported to management as soon as possible. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Emergency procedures are in place for fire, serious injury, vehicle breakdowns and other critical incidents. Staff are trained to remain calm, follow the relevant procedure and prioritise the safety of people in the area. Where appropriate, we will co-operate fully with emergency services and relevant authorities.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and the importance of staff being fit for duty. Employees are required to inform management if they have any medical condition, injury or concern that may affect their ability to work safely, particularly when lifting or driving.

We do not tolerate the use of alcohol or illegal substances at work or immediately prior to work, and staff must not report for duty under the influence of any substance that may impair judgment or performance. Suitable welfare arrangements, such as rest breaks and access to drinking water, are taken into account when planning jobs.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man With a Van Cranford is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We review this policy regularly, and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, to ensure it remains effective and relevant.

Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and used to enhance our safety standards. By working together and following this policy, we aim to provide a professional, reliable and safe removal service across our operating area.