Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Cowley Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Cowley is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety for our employees, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, unloading and transporting goods, and provides guidance on safe working practices for all parties.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to carry out all man and van, removal and transport services in a manner that prevents injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment. We aim to continuously improve our health and safety performance by assessing risks, planning work carefully and providing the necessary information, instruction and supervision.

Management is responsible for implementing this policy, providing appropriate resources and ensuring that safe systems of work are in place. All workers and contractors are required to cooperate with this policy and to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others.

Legal Compliance

Man with Van Cowley operates in line with relevant health and safety laws, regulations and approved codes of practice applicable to removal, transport and manual handling activities. We will review this policy on a regular basis, and whenever there are significant changes to legislation, our operations or working practices.

Roles and Responsibilities

Management is responsible for:

Ensuring that risk assessments are completed for our typical removal, loading, unloading and driving tasks; providing staff with appropriate training, supervision, equipment and guidance; maintaining vehicles and equipment in a safe condition; and reviewing incident reports and monitoring health and safety performance.

Employees and operatives are responsible for:

Following safe working procedures and instructions; using equipment and personal protective equipment correctly; reporting hazards, near misses, injuries and unsafe conditions without delay; and cooperating with training and health surveillance where required.

Risk Assessment and Planning

We complete risk assessments for our core activities, including collection, packing, loading, transport and unloading of goods for domestic and commercial customers. Key hazards considered include manual handling, slips and trips, falls from vehicles, contact with moving vehicles, use of handling equipment and risks associated with the working environment at collection and delivery points.

Before each job, our team will plan the work to consider access routes, parking arrangements, lifting requirements, time pressures and any specific risks related to the property, such as stairs, narrow corridors or restricted outdoor space. Where necessary, we will agree with customers any adjustments to the work to ensure it can be carried out safely.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key part of removal work, and incorrect techniques can cause serious injury. Man with Van Cowley will:

Provide training on safe lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifting arrangements; encourage the use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling aids whenever reasonably practicable; assess heavy or awkward items in advance and refuse to handle loads that cannot be moved safely; and ensure that staff understand their right to stop work if they believe a task is unsafe.

All handling equipment must be inspected regularly and used only for its intended purpose. Damaged or defective equipment must be taken out of use and reported immediately.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are critical to our service, and their safe operation is essential. We will ensure that:

Vehicles are maintained, serviced and inspected as recommended by the manufacturer and relevant regulations; daily vehicle checks are carried out by drivers, including tyres, lights, mirrors, securing points and doors; loads are distributed and secured properly to prevent movement during transit; and drivers follow safe driving practices, comply with road traffic laws and manage fatigue responsibly.

Drivers must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair their ability to drive safely. Mobile phones or other devices must not be used while driving, except with approved hands-free systems in line with current traffic regulations.

Customer Premises and Site Safety

Many of our activities take place at customer homes, offices and other premises. To reduce risks in these environments, our staff will:

Introduce themselves on arrival and discuss any known hazards such as loose carpets, pets, poor lighting or restricted access; establish clear walkways, keeping routes free of clutter where possible; use appropriate warning where floors may become slippery, for example during wet weather; and avoid blocking emergency exits or fire escape routes during loading and unloading.

We ask customers to support safe working by securing pets and children away from busy loading areas, informing us of heavy or fragile items in advance, ensuring suitable access and parking where possible, and not entering vehicle loading areas unless invited and supervised.

Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing

Where necessary, Man with Van Cowley will provide suitable personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear and high-visibility garments. All staff are required to use this equipment as instructed and to look after it appropriately. Any damage, loss or defect must be reported so that replacements can be arranged.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, vehicle collisions and cases of property damage must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions designed to prevent recurrence.

During emergencies such as fire, serious injury, sudden illness or dangerous occurrences, our staff will prioritise the safety of people, raise the alarm, contact emergency services when required and follow any site-specific procedures. Non-essential work will be stopped if continuing would put anyone at risk.

Training, Communication and Review

We provide induction and ongoing training appropriate to the tasks performed, including manual handling, safe driving, vehicle loading, use of equipment and hazard awareness. Health and safety information will be communicated to staff through verbal briefings, written instructions and updates when procedures change.

This policy is reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our services, operating areas or working methods. We welcome feedback from employees and customers on health and safety matters as part of our commitment to continual improvement.

Employee and Customer Cooperation

Effective health and safety management relies on cooperation and communication. Employees are expected to engage positively with this policy, raise concerns and participate fully in any training or investigations. Customers are encouraged to discuss any access issues, health conditions or other factors that may affect the safety of a move, so that we can plan appropriately.

By working together, Man with Van Cowley, our staff and our customers can help ensure that every move is carried out as safely and efficiently as reasonably practicable.