Man and a Van Docklands Health and Safety Policy
Man and a Van Docklands 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 transportation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our guiding principles, responsibilities, and safe working practices for all removal and delivery work carried out by our team.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, ill health, and damage to property arising from our operations. We aim to achieve this by identifying and controlling risks, providing appropriate training and equipment, and promoting a culture of safety and cooperation across all removal and transport services.
This policy applies to all members of staff, whether permanent, temporary, or agency, and to any contractors working on behalf of Man and a Van Docklands. Compliance with this policy is a condition of working with or for the company.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man and a Van Docklands accepts overall responsibility for the effective implementation of this Health and Safety Policy. We will:
Ensure that health and safety considerations are integrated into planning and decision-making for our removal operations and associated services.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, tools, lifting equipment, and protective gear suitable for removal and transport activities.
Identify, assess, and control risks associated with manual handling, loading and unloading, driving, working at height during loading, and working in customers homes and business premises.
Provide clear instructions, information, and training so that employees can carry out their work safely and competently.
Regularly review and, where necessary, revise this policy to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, and the nature of our business.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Man and a Van Docklands have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees are expected to:
Follow all safety procedures, training, and instructions given by the company.
Use vehicles, equipment, and personal protective equipment correctly and not interfere with or misuse anything provided for safety.
Report any hazards, unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, incidents, or near misses to management as soon as is reasonably practicable.
Cooperate fully with risk assessments, safety briefings, and any investigation following accidents or incidents.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will carry out risk assessments for our removal and transport services to identify significant hazards such as heavy lifting, confined spaces, staircases, uneven ground, and vehicle movements. Based on these assessments, we will develop safe systems of work that may include:
Using team lifts and appropriate handling techniques for heavy or awkward items.
Planning access routes, entry points, and lift use in residential and commercial buildings.
Using trolleys, dollies, blankets, straps, and other aids to minimise manual handling and prevent damage.
Ensuring vehicles are parked and loaded safely, with attention to stability, weight distribution, and secure stowage of goods.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is central to our removal services and presents a risk of musculoskeletal injuries if not managed correctly. Man and a Van Docklands will:
Provide training in safe lifting techniques, including posture, shared loads, and the use of handling aids.
Encourage staff to assess the load before lifting, consider alternatives, and request assistance where needed.
Avoid single-person lifting of excessively heavy or bulky items, and refuse work that cannot be carried out safely.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are a key part of our operations, and we recognise the risks associated with driving, loading, and unloading. To manage these risks we will:
Maintain vehicles in a roadworthy condition with regular inspections and servicing.
Ensure drivers are competent, hold the appropriate licences, and are familiar with safe driving practices for urban and residential areas.
Plan routes to minimise unnecessary risks, taking into account traffic, access, time constraints, and legal driving limits.
Require that loads are evenly distributed, secured, and checked before departure and at appropriate intervals.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our work often takes place in and around customer homes and business premises, as well as on public roads and shared spaces. We will:
Take reasonable steps to protect customers, neighbours, and passers-by from hazards created by our activities.
Use warnings, verbal communication, and where appropriate temporary barriers to reduce the risk of trips, falls, or collisions.
Respect customer property, ensuring that floors, walls, doors, and fixtures are protected as far as reasonably practicable during removals.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Man and a Van Docklands recognises that effective training and supervision are vital to safe operations. We will:
Provide induction training for all new staff, covering company procedures, manual handling, vehicle safety, and emergency arrangements.
Offer task-specific training for staff taking on additional responsibilities, such as team leading or operating specialist equipment.
Provide ongoing refresher training and updates where work practices or legislation change.
Ensure adequate supervision and clear lines of communication for all removal projects.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, and near misses, no matter how minor, must be reported as soon as possible. This allows us to investigate causes, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence. Our procedures include:
Recording details of any incident, injury, or damage in the company records.
Investigating incidents to identify root causes and improvements to work practices.
Providing staff with guidance on emergency response, including first aid arrangements and contacting emergency services when required.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and following any significant change in our operations or relevant health and safety legislation. Updated versions will be communicated to all employees and made available to customers and other interested parties upon request.
Man and a Van Docklands expects all staff and contractors to support and uphold this policy so that our removal and transport services are delivered as safely and responsibly as possible.
