Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van South Lambeth

Man With a Van South Lambeth is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our workers, customers, visitors, 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 and maintaining high standards across all moving, loading, unloading, and transportation tasks.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property, and to ensure that all removal and delivery tasks are carried out in a controlled and professional manner. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance by planning work carefully, consulting with workers, and reviewing our procedures on a regular basis.

Responsibilities and Management

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man With a Van South Lambeth rests with the company management, who ensure that suitable arrangements, resources, and supervision are in place. Management is responsible for implementing this policy, monitoring compliance, and taking appropriate action where improvements are required.

All workers, including drivers, porters, and any contractors engaged on our behalf, are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must cooperate fully with company procedures, use equipment correctly, and report any hazards, accidents, or near misses immediately.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedures

Before undertaking any removal or related service, we will consider the potential risks associated with the property, access routes, items to be moved, and any specific customer requirements. Where appropriate, we will carry out a site-based or dynamic risk assessment to identify hazards such as manual handling issues, restricted access, trip hazards, unsafe parking, and environmental conditions.

Based on these assessments, we adopt safe working procedures designed to minimise risks, such as using appropriate lifting techniques, team lifting for heavy or bulky items, and using suitable moving equipment. Workers are instructed not to put themselves or others at unnecessary risk and to request additional support or equipment where required.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling and lifting are central parts of our removal activities and can present a significant risk of injury if not managed correctly. Man With a Van South Lambeth provides guidance and instruction on correct lifting techniques, including posture, load assessment, and the importance of avoiding sudden or twisting movements.

We encourage the use of mechanical aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and ramps wherever practical. No worker is required to lift or carry loads they consider unsafe, and team lifting is used for heavy or awkward items such as large furniture, appliances, and specialist equipment. Items that cannot be moved safely may be declined or re-planned to ensure suitable resources are available.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

Safe operation of our vehicles is essential to protecting our workers, customers, and other road users. All vehicles used for our man and van services must be maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks on tyres, lights, brakes, and securing points within the load area.

Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow all road traffic requirements, and drive responsibly at all times. They are responsible for securing loads correctly to prevent movement or damage in transit. Drivers must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impairs their ability to drive. Rest breaks and journey times are planned in a way that helps to reduce fatigue.

Equipment, Tools, and Personal Protective Equipment

We ensure that moving equipment and tools used in our removal services are suitable for their intended purpose, well maintained, and checked regularly. This may include sack trucks, furniture blankets, straps, ramps, tool kits, and other accessories needed for safe and efficient handling.

Where appropriate, workers may be provided with or instructed to use personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, or high-visibility clothing. All workers are expected to store and use such equipment correctly and to report any defects or damage so items can be repaired or replaced.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Man With a Van South Lambeth recognises its duty to protect customers, visitors, neighbours, and members of the public from risks arising from our work. When operating at customer premises, we take reasonable steps to keep access routes clear, manage cables and equipment, and reduce noise and disturbance wherever possible.

We take care when moving items through shared areas such as stairwells, corridors, and entrances and aim to keep these spaces free of obstructions. Where necessary, we may temporarily restrict access to an area while heavy or bulky items are being moved to ensure the safety of all present.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We are committed to ensuring that all workers have the knowledge and skills needed to carry out their duties safely. This includes induction training for new workers and ongoing guidance for existing staff on topics such as manual handling, safe loading, use of equipment, and incident reporting.

Supervision levels are proportionate to the nature of the work, the risks involved, and the experience of the workers. Additional support or instruction is provided when more complex or higher-risk removals are undertaken.

Accident, Incident, and Near-Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, and near misses that occur during our activities must be reported promptly to management. This allows us to investigate, record findings, implement corrective actions, and review any procedure that may need to be changed.

We encourage an open culture where workers feel able to raise concerns about safety without fear of criticism. Lessons learned from incidents are used to improve our systems and to prevent similar events in the future.

Health and Wellbeing

We recognise that physical and mental wellbeing are both important to safe working. Removal work can be physically demanding, and tasks are planned to reduce excessive strain, prolonged heavy lifting, or unreasonable working hours. Workers are encouraged to raise any health concerns that may affect their ability to perform tasks safely so that suitable adjustments or alternative arrangements can be considered.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our operations, lessons from incidents, or developments in best practice. Any significant changes will be communicated to workers and, where relevant, to customers or partners.

By following this policy, Man With a Van South Lambeth aims to maintain a safe, reliable, and professional removal service that protects everyone involved in or affected by our work.