Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Enfield

Man With a Van Enfield is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to minimise risk and prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

We aim to conduct all man and van, removal, and transport services in a way that protects people and property. Our objectives are to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, comply with relevant health and safety legislation, continually improve our safety performance, and promote a culture of responsibility and awareness within our team.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Enfield is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy. This includes assessing risks associated with our removal and delivery work, providing appropriate equipment and vehicles, ensuring staff are trained and competent, and reviewing working practices regularly. Management will monitor compliance, investigate incidents, and ensure that corrective actions are taken where necessary.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors working on behalf of Man With a Van Enfield have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow company procedures, cooperate with management on health and safety matters, use equipment correctly, and report hazards, near misses, or accidents without delay. No employee is expected to carry out a task they consider unsafe, and any concerns must be raised immediately with a supervisor.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our activities, including property moves, loading and unloading vehicles, furniture assembly and disassembly, and handling of bulky or awkward items. These assessments are used to establish safe systems of work, such as using team lifting techniques, planning routes through properties, and identifying constraints such as stairs, narrow access, and parking restrictions.

Our teams are instructed to assess each job on arrival, identify any additional hazards, and implement appropriate control measures. Where the risk is considered too high, work will be stopped until a safer method can be agreed.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal and transport operations, and we place particular emphasis on safe lifting practices. Staff receive guidance on correct lifting techniques, including how to assess the weight and shape of loads, when to seek assistance from colleagues, and how to use handling aids where available. No employee should attempt to lift or carry an item that exceeds their personal capability or safe working limits.

Where possible, loads are broken down into smaller, more manageable parts. Heavy or high-risk items are handled by multiple team members, and lifting is planned in advance to avoid unexpected movement, twisting, or overreaching.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vans and equipment are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence and follow all road safety and transport regulations. They are expected to plan routes to reduce unnecessary risks, allow sufficient travel time, avoid fatigue, and adjust driving to weather, traffic, and road conditions.

Loads are secured in vehicles to prevent movement during transit, protecting both our staff and other road users. Drivers must not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impairs their ability, and must report any medical condition or issue that could affect safe driving.

Safe Loading, Unloading, and Property Protection

We take reasonable steps to prevent damage to customers homes, premises, and belongings during removal and transport operations. This includes careful positioning of vehicles, use of appropriate access routes, safe stacking of items, and taking care when moving items through doorways, stairwells, and shared areas.

Where needed, protective measures such as blankets or floor coverings may be used to reduce the risk of damage. Our teams are trained to communicate clearly with customers, agree on safe working areas, and ensure that children, pets, and other occupants remain away from moving loads or vehicles.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Man With a Van Enfield provides suitable tools and equipment for carrying out removal work safely. This may include trolleys, dollies, straps, and other handling aids. All equipment must be used as instructed and inspected regularly for signs of damage or wear.

Where necessary, we provide personal protective equipment such as gloves or safety footwear. Employees are required to use such equipment as directed and to report defects or problems immediately so that they can be rectified.

Training, Supervision, and Communication

We ensure that our staff receive appropriate information and instruction relevant to their roles. Training covers safe lifting and handling, vehicle safety, hazard awareness, and customer care. New employees are supervised until they are competent in their duties, and ongoing guidance is provided when new methods or equipment are introduced.

We encourage open communication on health and safety issues. Staff are invited to suggest improvements and raise concerns, and we treat all reports seriously. Lessons learned from incidents or near misses are shared with the team to help prevent recurrence.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and unsafe conditions must be reported promptly to management. Details are recorded, investigated, and used to improve our health and safety arrangements. Where required, incidents are reported to the relevant authorities.

Our staff are made aware of emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of a fire, road traffic incident, or serious injury while carrying out a removal. They are expected to prioritise the safety of people above property and to follow instructions from emergency services when present.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when our activities, services, or legal requirements change. Man With a Van Enfield is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and will take into account feedback from staff, customers, and regulators when reviewing policy and procedures.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, we aim to ensure that all removal and man and van services are delivered in a safe, responsible, and professional manner.