Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Dulwich
Man and a Van Dulwich is committed to conducting all removal, collection and delivery activities in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of our workers, customers, members of the public and any other people who may be affected by our work. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all moving services, including residential moves, office relocations and item transportation.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption during moves. We will achieve this by identifying and controlling risks associated with lifting, loading, driving, working in and around vehicles, and operating at customers premises. We continually aim to improve our practices to ensure a safe and reliable removal service.
Legal Responsibilities and Compliance
Man and a Van Dulwich will meet all relevant health and safety legislation applicable to removal and transport activities. We will monitor changes in regulations and recognised best practice across the moving industry and update our procedures when necessary. All workers are required to co operate with these policies and follow the safety rules and guidance provided.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing and reviewing health and safety arrangements. This includes assessing risks, providing appropriate training, supplying safe equipment, and ensuring there are clear procedures for daily operations and emergency situations. Managers will regularly review performance, investigate accidents or near misses, and correct any unsafe practices or conditions as soon as reasonably practicable.
Employee Responsibilities
Every person working for Man and a Van Dulwich has a duty of care to themselves, their colleagues, customers and the public. All team members must:
Work safely and follow the instructions, training and procedures provided. Use the correct equipment for lifting and moving items and report any defects immediately. Wear suitable clothing and protective equipment where required. Never misuse equipment or put themselves or others at risk. Report hazards, accidents, incidents and near misses promptly so that action can be taken.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before starting work, we assess the tasks and the environment to identify potential hazards, taking into account access routes, stairs, parking, lifting requirements, traffic, weather and any special risks such as fragile or heavy items. Where necessary, a more detailed assessment will be carried out for complex jobs, long distance moves or unusual loads.
From these assessments we establish safe systems of work, including how items will be handled, how vehicles will be loaded and unloaded, and how team members will communicate on site. These safe methods are explained to workers before the job begins so that everyone understands their role in maintaining safety.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of our work and carries a risk of strain and injury if not managed correctly. To reduce this risk, Man and a Van Dulwich provides guidance and training on safe lifting techniques, such as maintaining good posture, keeping loads close to the body and avoiding twisting movements while carrying items.
Where practical we use trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling aids to move heavy or bulky furniture, appliances and boxes. We will not ask workers to lift or carry items that are beyond a safe weight or shape for the number of people and equipment available. Customers may be advised when additional manpower or specialised equipment is required for a safe move.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are an essential part of our work and must be operated safely at all times. Vehicles are kept in good condition, checked regularly and maintained according to manufacturer requirements and legal standards. Drivers are responsible for making basic safety checks, such as tyres, lights and securing of loads, before setting off.
Drivers must follow the Highway Code, observe speed limits and drive in a manner appropriate to road conditions, load weight and local traffic. Loads will always be secured within the vehicle to prevent shifting during transit, which can cause damage or affect vehicle stability. No one is permitted to travel in the load space of the vehicle.
Working at Customer Premises
When working in homes, offices or other premises, our team will take care to protect people and property. This includes planning safe access routes, avoiding blocking fire exits and keeping passageways as clear as reasonably possible. Where required, we may use protective coverings on floors, bannisters and doors to reduce the risk of damage or slips.
We ask customers to keep children, pets and unnecessary observers away from loading and unloading areas. This helps prevent accidents and allows our team to focus on moving items safely and efficiently.
Use of Equipment and Protective Gear
All equipment used for lifting, carrying and securing loads must be suitable for the task, kept in good condition and used only by people who have been shown how to use it safely. Any damaged or defective equipment will be taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Where the work or environment demands it, workers may be provided with protective gloves, footwear or other suitable personal protective equipment. Workers are required to take proper care of any protective gear supplied and use it whenever necessary.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, near misses and property damage that occur during removal activities must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to provide assistance, record details and investigate the causes so that we can take steps to prevent a recurrence.
In the event of injury or sudden illness, the first priority is the safety and welfare of everyone involved. Where required, emergency services will be contacted and access routes will be kept clear for their arrival. Our team will follow any site specific emergency procedures in place at customer premises, such as fire evacuation arrangements.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man and a Van Dulwich ensures that workers have the information and instruction they need to carry out their duties safely. This may include induction training, on the job guidance, toolbox talks and refresher sessions on key topics such as manual handling, vehicle safety and customer site rules.
New or inexperienced workers will be supervised until they demonstrate that they can work safely without direct oversight. We encourage all team members to raise questions about safety and to suggest improvements to how we plan and carry out removal work.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We recognise that effective health and safety management depends on open communication. Workers are invited to share any concerns they have about equipment, working methods or conditions. Where practical, we will consult with our team when introducing new equipment, vehicles or procedures that may affect their health and safety.
This policy and the associated procedures are reviewed regularly and following any significant incident, change in legislation or major change to our operations. Updates are communicated to all relevant workers.
Customer Responsibilities and Cooperation
While Man and a Van Dulwich takes the lead on safety during moves, we rely on customers to co operate by providing accurate information about access, parking, item size and weight, and any known hazards at their premises. Customers should ensure that access routes are reasonably clear and that we are informed of any issues such as loose steps, low ceilings or fragile surfaces before work begins.
By working together, we help ensure that every move, whether a small local job or a larger relocation, is carried out with the highest regard for safety and care.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy reflects our ongoing commitment to safe working practices in the removals and transport sector. It will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains effective, relevant and aligned with current legislation and best practice.
