Man with Van Goddington Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Goddington is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, 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 risk and promoting safe working practices during all moving, collection and delivery work.
Our policy applies to all team members, including temporary workers and contractors engaged to support our man and van and removal services. Health and safety is an integral part of the way we plan and deliver every job, from small local moves to larger property clearances.
Our Health and Safety Responsibilities
Man with Van Goddington accepts overall responsibility for ensuring that health and safety considerations are built into our day-to-day operations. Management is responsible for implementing this policy, providing adequate resources, and ensuring that safe systems of work are developed and maintained.
Every member of staff has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must:
Follow all safety instructions, training and procedures provided by the company.
Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly and responsibly.
Report hazards, near-misses, accidents and unsafe conditions promptly.
Cooperate with management on all health and safety matters.
Risk Assessment and Planning
We carry out risk assessments for our removal and transport activities and use the findings to plan work safely. This includes:
Assessing access routes, stairways, corridors and loading areas before handling items.
Identifying potential hazards such as uneven surfaces, poor lighting, limited parking, or tight spaces.
Planning appropriate manpower, equipment and vehicle requirements for each job.
Considering risks to customers, neighbours and the public when loading, unloading or manoeuvring vehicles.
Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in the type of work carried out or equipment used.
Safe Handling and Lifting Practices
Manual handling is a key part of our work, and we take steps to minimise the risk of injury. Our staff receive instruction in safe lifting techniques and are expected to:
Assess the weight and stability of items before moving them.
Request assistance with heavy, awkward or bulky objects rather than attempting to lift alone.
Use correct posture and lifting methods to reduce strain on the back and joints.
Make use of handling aids such as trolleys, dollies and straps when appropriate.
Never rush lifting tasks or take shortcuts that compromise safety.
Where an item cannot be moved safely with available manpower or equipment, the job will be reassessed and alternative arrangements will be made.
Vehicle Safety and Loading
Our vehicles are essential to our removal services, and we operate them with safety as a priority. We ensure that:
Vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and subjected to regular checks.
Loads are distributed evenly, secured properly and kept within safe weight limits.
Access ramps and tail lifts, where used, are operated only by competent personnel.
Parking and loading are planned to minimise risk to pedestrians and other road users.
Drivers comply with road traffic legislation and drive responsibly at all times.
No one is permitted to travel in the load area of vehicles, and passengers are carried only in designated seating positions with appropriate restraints.
Customer and Public Safety
We take care to protect customers and members of the public while carrying out our work. This includes:
Keeping pathways, entrances and exits as clear as reasonably practicable.
Using warning where work may create temporary obstructions or trip hazards.
Handling customers possessions with care to avoid damage and reduce risk of accidents arising from breakage or spills.
Minimising noise and disruption, particularly in residential areas and shared spaces.
Ensuring that children, pets and vulnerable persons are kept away from active loading and unloading areas.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide our team members with appropriate information and instruction relevant to their role. This may include:
Induction on our health and safety policy and procedures.
Guidance on safe lifting, carrying and use of handling equipment.
Instruction on vehicle safety, loading methods and hazard awareness.
Supervision for new or less experienced staff until they are competent to work independently.
We expect all staff to keep their knowledge up to date and to cooperate with any refresher training or safety briefings provided.
Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment
We ensure that any equipment or tools used in our moving and transport work are suitable for their intended purpose and maintained in good condition. Staff must inspect equipment before use and report any defects immediately.
Where necessary, appropriate personal protective equipment may be provided, such as gloves or safety footwear, and must be used as instructed. Equipment and protective gear must not be misused or removed without proper authorisation.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses that occur during our work must be reported as soon as possible to management. This allows us to:
Provide prompt assistance and first aid as required.
Record details for investigation and improvement.
Review risk assessments and work methods to prevent recurrence.
In the event of fire, serious injury or any situation posing immediate danger, staff are instructed to prioritise personal safety and that of others, contact the emergency services where necessary, and follow any site-specific emergency procedures.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Man with Van Goddington is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. We monitor our working practices, review incident reports and consider feedback from staff and customers to identify areas for improvement.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated where required to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice or the nature of our services. Updated versions are communicated to all staff so that everyone understands their responsibilities and the standards expected.
By working together to follow this policy, we aim to provide a safe, reliable and professional man and van and removal service for all our customers while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved.
