Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Crook Log
Man with Van Crook Log is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, 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 domestic and commercial moves, furniture transport, loading and unloading, and related services.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The primary aim of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our work. We will achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting in place sensible and effective control measures. We will comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice for removal and transport companies.
Our objectives are to:
Promote a positive health and safety culture at all levels of the business.
Provide safe systems of work for lifting, carrying, loading, driving and route planning.
Supply and maintain appropriate equipment and vehicles in safe working order.
Offer information, instruction, training and supervision to enable staff to work safely.
Review and improve our safety performance on a regular basis.
Management Responsibilities
Management of Man with Van Crook Log holds overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety policy and ensuring that suitable arrangements are in place for its effective delivery. This includes:
Conducting and reviewing risk assessments for our services and work environments.
Ensuring that vehicles, lifting equipment and tools are properly maintained and regularly inspected.
Providing appropriate training in manual handling, safe driving, loading techniques and the use of equipment such as trolleys, straps and ramps.
Ensuring safe planning of journeys and scheduling to minimise fatigue and unsafe driving practices.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to identify causes and prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular contractors share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Every member of our team must:
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided by the company.
Use vehicles, equipment, protective clothing and tools correctly and only for their intended purpose.
Report hazards, defects, accidents and near misses to management as soon as possible.
Refrain from horseplay, unsafe shortcuts or any behaviour that could put people or property at risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out risk assessments for key activities associated with our removal and transport services, including but not limited to:
Manual handling of furniture, boxes and appliances.
Loading and unloading vans at properties, storage facilities and commercial premises.
Driving and parking vans in residential streets, busy roads and restricted access areas.
Working in confined spaces such as stairwells, lifts and narrow corridors.
These risk assessments form the basis of our safe systems of work. Staff are briefed on the precautions required, such as team lifting, use of handling equipment, securing loads inside the vehicle, and maintaining safe access routes during moves.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of our work, and we recognise the risk of injury from lifting and moving heavy or awkward items. To reduce this risk we:
Provide manual handling training that covers safe lifting techniques, teamwork and recognising limitations.
Encourage staff to plan each lift, remove obstacles and use mechanical aids wherever possible.
Supply suitable handling equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps and sliders when required.
Instruct staff never to attempt lifts that are beyond their capability or that cannot be performed safely.
Vehicle Safety and Safe Driving
Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and must be operated safely at all times. We will:
Ensure that all drivers hold the correct licence and are competent to drive our vehicles.
Carry out regular checks and maintenance of vans, including brakes, lights, tyres and securing points.
Secure all loads to prevent movement during transit, protecting both road users and customer property.
Plan routes with consideration for road conditions, access limitations and realistic travel times.
Discourage any use of mobile devices while driving and expect full adherence to road traffic laws.
Working at Customer Premises
Our teams frequently work in homes, offices and other premises. We aim to conduct our activities with minimal risk and disruption by:
Assessing each location for hazards such as uneven surfaces, poor lighting, slippery floors, low ceilings and tight stairways.
Maintaining clear pathways for carrying items and ensuring safe stacking of boxes and furniture.
Using appropriate protective equipment where necessary, such as gloves or safety footwear.
Respecting customer property and taking steps to avoid damage to fixtures, fittings and belongings.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly to management. We will record and review each report to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Where necessary we will update risk assessments, procedures or training in response to findings.
Staff are briefed on emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, vehicle breakdown or collision. First aid provisions are available in vehicles or at operational bases as appropriate, and employees are informed of their location and use.
Training, Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Health and safety training is provided to new starters and refreshed periodically for existing staff. Additional instruction is given when new equipment, vehicles or methods of working are introduced. We encourage feedback from staff on safety matters and will consult with them when reviewing procedures or considering changes to our services.
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable for the scale and nature of our removal and transport operations. Revisions will be communicated to all employees, and we remain committed to continuous improvement in our health and safety performance.
