Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Barnet

Man With a Van Barnet 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 transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks in all aspects of our work, including domestic moves, office relocations, and collection and delivery services.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying and controlling risks associated with manual handling, driving, loading and unloading, and working in and around customer premises. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance and to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry guidance applicable to removal and transport operations.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Barnet is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes providing appropriate resources, setting clear safety standards, and ensuring that employees understand their responsibilities. Managers will ensure that risk assessments are carried out, safe working procedures are in place, and that staff receive suitable information, instruction, and training for the tasks they perform.

We will review this policy regularly, and whenever there are significant changes to our services, working practices, or applicable regulations, to ensure that it remains effective and relevant to our day-to-day operations.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors working with Man With a Van Barnet have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must:

Follow all safe systems of work and instructions provided.

Use equipment and vehicles correctly and only for their intended purpose.

Report hazards, near misses, accidents, and incidents promptly to management.

Wear and maintain any personal protective equipment provided.

Cooperate with management on all health and safety matters, including attending required training.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We conduct risk assessments for our core activities, including packing, lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, and driving. These assessments consider potential hazards such as heavy or awkward loads, trips and falls, confined spaces, access issues at properties, and traffic conditions during transport.

Based on these assessments, we develop safe systems of work that may include using team lifting, trolleys and other handling aids, planning safe access routes, and scheduling work to minimise time pressure. Staff are instructed to stop work if a task appears unsafe and to seek guidance from management before proceeding.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and can present a risk of injury if not carried out correctly. Man With a Van Barnet provides guidance and training on safer lifting techniques, team handling, and the use of handling equipment where appropriate. We aim to eliminate or reduce manual handling risks as far as reasonably practicable by:

Assessing the weight, size, and shape of items before moving them.

Using two or more people for large or bulky items.

Planning the route before lifting, including checking for obstacles, stairs, or uneven surfaces.

Encouraging staff to take regular breaks when carrying heavy loads and to report any strains or discomfort at an early stage.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our removal and transport services and are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Drivers are required to conduct pre-use checks and report defects immediately so that appropriate action can be taken.

All driving for work must be carried out safely and responsibly. Drivers must obey speed limits, follow the Highway Code, and allow sufficient time for journeys to avoid rushing or unsafe driving behaviour. Loads must be correctly positioned and secured within the vehicle to prevent movement, damage to goods, or risk to other road users.

Working at Customer Premises

Man With a Van Barnet recognises that every property is different, with its own access issues, parking constraints, and internal layout. Our teams take care to plan each move so that the risk of slips, trips, falls, and damage to property is reduced.

Staff will:

Assess access routes, stairways, and doorways before moving large items.

Use protective coverings where appropriate to reduce the risk of slips and protect floors.

Keep walkways as clear as possible and avoid leaving tools or packing materials in circulation areas.

Communicate clearly with customers about any limitations or risks related to moving particular items.

Personal Protective Equipment and Work Equipment

Where risk assessments identify a need for personal protective equipment, such as gloves or safety footwear, Man With a Van Barnet will provide this and ensure staff are instructed in its correct use. All equipment used for lifting, securing loads, or protecting goods will be maintained in good condition and removed from service if found to be defective.

Training, Communication and Consultation

We recognise that effective health and safety management relies on informed and competent staff. Training appropriate to each role is provided, including induction training for new starters and refresher training where necessary. Health and safety information is communicated to staff through briefings and updates when procedures or legal requirements change.

We encourage open communication about safety concerns. Employees are invited to share suggestions for improving health and safety, and management will consider these as part of our ongoing review and improvement process.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and significant incidents are recorded and investigated so that we can identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Lessons learned are used to update risk assessments and procedures, and to provide further training where needed.

Man With a Van Barnet is committed to continually improving our health and safety performance. By working together and maintaining high standards of care and professionalism, we aim to provide safe, reliable removal and transport services for all our customers.