Haringey Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Haringey Man and Van is committed to maintaining the highest practical standards of health and safety in all removal and transportation activities. This policy explains how we manage risks, protect our team, safeguard customers and the public, and comply with applicable health and safety legislation relating to moving, handling and transport services.

1. Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to conduct all man and van and removal operations in a way that prevents injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment. Health and safety is an integral part of our planning, decision-making and day-to-day work. We aim to:

Identify and control risks associated with lifting, loading, unloading and transporting goods.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and working methods.

Ensure that all workers receive suitable training, information and supervision.

Promote a positive safety culture where everyone accepts responsibility for safe working practices.

2. Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Haringey Man and Van lies with company management, who ensure that this policy is implemented, reviewed and updated when necessary.

Management responsibilities include:

Assessing risks and ensuring appropriate control measures are in place.

Providing and maintaining vehicles, tools and equipment in a safe condition.

Making sure staff receive relevant training and instruction.

Investigating incidents, near misses and complaints relating to safety.

All workers have a responsibility to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others.

Follow safe systems of work, instructions and training at all times.

Use equipment correctly and report any defects without delay.

Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and any related procedures.

3. Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We assess health and safety risks associated with our removal and man and van services. This includes risks from manual handling, working in and around vehicles, working at loading points, and operating in customers premises.

Before each job, our team considers access, parking, stairways, lifts, uneven surfaces, weather conditions and the size, weight and nature of items being moved. Where necessary, a more detailed risk assessment is carried out and documented. Findings from risk assessments are used to establish safe working practices, which may include:

Limiting the weight of items lifted manually.

Using trolleys, dollies and other moving aids whenever practicable.

Using additional staff for large or awkward items.

Setting exclusion zones around loading areas where possible.

Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment for the task.

4. Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal services and is carefully controlled to reduce the risk of injury. We train workers to use safe lifting techniques and to recognise when mechanical aids or extra assistance are required.

Key principles include:

Planning lifts in advance, including route and resting points.

Assessing the load for size, weight and stability before attempting to lift.

Keeping loads close to the body and avoiding twisting movements.

Team lifting for large, heavy or bulky items.

Refusing to lift items that are unsafe or exceed agreed weight limits.

We encourage all staff to speak up immediately if they feel a lift or task cannot be carried out safely.

5. Vehicle Safety and Loading

The safe use of vehicles is essential to our operations. All vehicles used in our man and van services are maintained in good working order and are inspected regularly to ensure brakes, tyres, lights and other safety features are functioning correctly.

Drivers are required to:

Hold the appropriate licence and follow road traffic regulations at all times.

Carry out pre-use checks before starting a journey.

Report defects or concerns immediately so that corrective action can be taken.

We follow safe loading and unloading procedures, including:

Distributing weight evenly and not exceeding vehicle capacity.

Securing items using straps and other restraints to prevent movement during transit.

Using ramps and tail lifts correctly and keeping loading areas clear of obstructions.

Taking care when opening vehicle doors after transit, in case items have shifted.

6. Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide suitable equipment for the safe handling and transport of goods, such as trolleys, moving blankets, straps and ramps. Equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if defects are found.

Where necessary, personal protective equipment is provided, which may include safety footwear, gloves and high-visibility clothing. Workers must use the equipment supplied and report any loss, damage or malfunction immediately.

7. Training, Information and Supervision

We ensure that all workers involved in removal and man and van activities receive appropriate initial training and ongoing instruction. Training covers areas such as manual handling, safe loading, vehicle checks, accident reporting and customer site safety.

New staff are supervised closely until they demonstrate competence in safe working practices. Refresher training is provided when procedures change, new equipment is introduced or where additional support is needed.

8. Working at Customer Premises

Our team frequently works at domestic and commercial premises. We take care to protect the safety of customers, visitors, neighbours and the general public.

Measures include:

Keeping access routes clear of trip hazards such as straps, boxes and wrapping materials.

Securing doors and gates where necessary to prevent unauthorised access to work areas.

Using protective coverings where appropriate to reduce slip and trip risks.

Working considerately and communicating clearly with customers about any safety concerns.

9. Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. This allows us to provide prompt assistance, investigate causes and put measures in place to prevent recurrence.

In the event of an emergency such as fire, serious injury, road traffic collision or sudden structural concern at a property, staff must follow established emergency procedures, prioritise life and safety, and contact the relevant emergency services.

10. Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We recognise that effective health and safety management is an ongoing process. We encourage feedback from workers and customers on safety issues and consider all suggestions for improvement.

This policy and related procedures are reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes in our operations, legislation, guidance or best practice in the removals and transport sector.

11. Policy Review and Availability

This Health and Safety Policy is approved by the management of Haringey Man and Van and is communicated to all workers. It is available to customers and interested parties on request. The policy is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains suitable, adequate and effective for our man and van and removal services.