Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Putney

Man with Van Putney is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public affected by our removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, driving and working in domestic and commercial environments.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and promote safe working practices. We aim to identify hazards in our removal operations, reduce risks so far as is reasonably practicable, and ensure that everyone involved understands their responsibilities.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Putney has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and providing the resources needed for safe working. This includes:

Ensuring that health and safety is considered in the planning and delivery of all removal and transport services. Maintaining safe systems of work for lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and securing goods in vehicles. Providing appropriate equipment for handling, access and personal protection. Organising regular reviews of working practices and incident reports to identify improvements. Ensuring all employees receive suitable information, instruction, training and supervision.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and contractor working for Man with Van Putney has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes:

Following all safety procedures and instructions provided by the company. Using handling equipment and personal protective equipment correctly. Reporting hazards, near misses, unsafe conditions and accidents promptly to management. Not misusing or interfering with any equipment provided for safety purposes. Informing management of any medical or physical condition that may affect their ability to undertake lifting or driving tasks safely.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our removal and man and van operations to identify significant hazards and agree control measures. These assessments cover activities such as moving heavy furniture, navigating stairways and tight access routes, loading and unloading vehicles, operating in shared or public spaces, and driving between properties.

From these assessments, we develop safe systems of work that include job planning, team briefings, route planning for vehicle movements, safe lifting techniques, and clear responsibilities on site. Staff are briefed on the relevant risks and safe methods before commencing work.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our service and is a key focus of our safety measures. We:

Provide training in safe lifting, carrying and team handling techniques. Encourage the use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other aids whenever reasonably practicable. Assess the weight, size and shape of items before moving them and allocate sufficient personnel for the task. Avoid hazardous lifts such as twisting movements, reaching above shoulder height or carrying items that obstruct visibility wherever possible. Stop work and reassess any lift that appears unsafe or beyond the capability of the team on site.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our drivers and crews must operate vehicles safely at all times. We:

Ensure drivers hold valid licences appropriate to the vehicle they operate. Expect all drivers to comply with road traffic laws and drive according to conditions. Require that loads are distributed evenly and secured properly to prevent movement during transit. Carry out routine checks on vehicles to ensure they are roadworthy and clean, particularly with regard to access steps, floors and loading areas. Prohibit driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal substances or any medication that impairs driving ability.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise that our work often takes place in customers homes, offices and shared buildings, as well as in public areas. We therefore:

Plan access routes in and out of properties to minimise risk of trips, slips and collisions. Keep walkways as clear as possible and highlight any temporary hazards such as trailing straps or ramps. Take care to protect floors, walls, doors and fixtures from damage using appropriate coverings where necessary. Maintain awareness of other occupants, neighbours and members of the public and pause work when movements could place them at risk. Seek permission before moving or disconnecting equipment and follow safe isolation procedures for appliances where applicable.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Man with Van Putney provides suitable equipment to support safe work, including handling aids and protective materials. Where appropriate, staff may also use personal protective equipment such as gloves, protective footwear or high visibility garments. All equipment is to be inspected regularly, used as instructed and removed from service if damaged or defective.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide initial and ongoing training tailored to the tasks our teams carry out. This includes induction training on company safety procedures, manual handling and safe lifting techniques, safe vehicle loading and use of handling aids, awareness of common hazards in removal environments, and reporting procedures for accidents and near misses.

Supervisors and senior staff are responsible for monitoring work on site, ensuring that procedures are followed and intervening where unsafe practices are identified.

Accident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, incidents, near misses and damage to property must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We record and investigate these events to identify root causes and any necessary corrective actions. Lessons learned from incidents are shared with staff and may result in updated procedures, additional training or changes to equipment.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We aim to protect the long term health and welfare of our staff. Employees are encouraged to work within their physical limits and to speak up if a task feels unsafe or too demanding. Breaks are to be taken as required, particularly during longer jobs or in hot or adverse weather. Staff must report any condition, illness or medication that may affect safe lifting or driving duties so that adjustments can be considered.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable for the services we provide and the areas we cover. We take into account changes in legislation, industry guidance and our own experience of delivering removal services. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and used to improve our procedures and standards.

By working together, Man with Van Putney, our staff and our customers can help maintain a safe environment during every stage of the moving process, from initial loading to final delivery.