Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Camden

Man with Van Camden is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, customers, and any third parties who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, transport, and on-site work at homes, offices, and other premises.

Policy Statement and Objectives

The objective of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property arising from our services. We aim to identify and control risks, provide appropriate training and equipment, and promote a positive health and safety culture across all aspects of our removal operations.

Health and safety considerations are integral to the planning and execution of every job, from initial booking through to completion of the move. We review and update this policy regularly to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, and the nature of our work.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that health and safety standards are maintained. This includes:

Ensuring that all activities connected with removals, collections, deliveries, packing, loading, and unloading are assessed for risk and carried out safely. Providing appropriate resources, equipment, and supervision to enable safe working practices. Ensuring that vehicles used for removal services are maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition. Investigating incidents, near misses, and complaints related to safety and taking corrective action where required.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors working on behalf of Man with Van Camden share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. They must:

Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training. Use vehicles, tools, and handling equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of colleagues, customers, and members of the public. Report hazards, near misses, and incidents promptly so that they can be addressed before they result in harm.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before carrying out work at any location, we consider the specific risks associated with the premises and the nature of the items to be moved. This includes the assessment of access routes, stairs, lifts, parking and loading areas, and any particular challenges such as heavy, awkward, or fragile items.

Where necessary, we plan additional controls such as the use of extra staff, handling equipment, altered loading methods, or adjusted scheduling to reduce risk. Staff are briefed on identified risks and control measures before work begins.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling is a core element of removal work. We recognise the risks of injury from lifting and carrying heavy or bulky items and put in place the following measures:

Providing training on good lifting techniques, team lifts, and the use of handling aids such as trolleys and straps. Encouraging staff to assess the weight, size, and stability of items before moving them and to seek assistance when required. Using handling equipment whenever practicable to reduce strain. Avoiding manual handling where there is an unacceptable risk of injury and, if necessary, reviewing the scope of work with the customer.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

We are committed to safe driving and vehicle operations throughout our service area. This includes:

Ensuring that drivers hold the appropriate licences and receive training on safe driving, loading, and securing of loads. Carrying out regular checks and maintenance to keep vehicles roadworthy and safe. Planning routes to minimise unnecessary risk, allowing sufficient time for travel, loading, and unloading, and complying with traffic laws. Prohibiting driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impairs performance.

Loading, Unloading, and Securing Goods

Incorrect loading and unloading can lead to injury, damage to goods, and hazards on the road. Our procedures include:

Organising loads so that weight is evenly distributed and items are secured using straps, blankets, and other restraints where necessary. Avoiding overloading vehicles and always working within the safe capacity of the vehicle and equipment. Keeping loading areas as clear and organised as possible to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Checking loads before departure and periodically where appropriate to ensure that nothing has shifted and remains safely secured.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams frequently work in occupied homes, offices, and shared spaces. To protect customers and the public we:

Take care to keep walkways clear and avoid blocking exits or access routes. Use caution when moving large items through doorways, corridors, and communal areas to prevent damage and injury. Where necessary, politely request that customers and other occupants keep a safe distance while items are being moved. Pay particular attention to children, pets, and vulnerable persons on site and adjust working practices as needed to maintain safety.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where appropriate, our staff are provided with and expected to use personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, and high visibility garments. This equipment must be kept in good condition and replaced when damaged or worn. Staff are responsible for using the protective equipment correctly whenever required by risk assessments or management instructions.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide ongoing training and guidance to ensure that staff understand the hazards associated with removal work and know how to control them. This includes induction training for new workers, refresher training for existing staff, and task specific instructions for unusual or higher risk work.

Supervisors and experienced team members monitor work practices, provide support, and intervene where unsafe behaviour or conditions are observed. Lessons learned from incidents or feedback are incorporated into future training and procedures.

Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses

All accidents, injuries, damage, and near misses connected with our activities must be reported as soon as practicable. We record and, where necessary, investigate these events to understand root causes and prevent recurrence.

Corrective measures may include changes to procedures, additional training, revised risk assessments, or improvements to equipment and vehicles. We encourage open reporting without blame so that safety concerns are raised and addressed promptly.

Wellbeing and Fitness for Work

Removal work can be physically demanding. We seek to protect the wellbeing of our staff by:

Encouraging regular breaks, hydration, and sensible pacing of work. Monitoring workloads to avoid excessive fatigue. Requiring staff to inform management if they feel unfit for particular tasks due to injury, illness, or other factors that may affect their ability to work safely.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, equipment, or relevant regulations. We welcome feedback from staff and customers on safety matters and use this information to improve our procedures.

By following this policy, Man with Van Camden aims to deliver reliable, efficient, and safe removal services while protecting everyone involved in or affected by our work.