Man With a Van Leyton Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Leyton is committed to providing removal services in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of our customers, our staff, contractors and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety for all moving, lifting, transport and related activities we undertake.

We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice. We aim to continually improve our standards so that every removal, collection or delivery is carried out as safely as is reasonably practicable.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and disruption to our customers. To achieve this we will:

Identify and assess risks associated with removal and transport work.
Implement appropriate control measures and safe systems of work.
Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to workers.
Maintain vehicles, equipment and work practices in a safe condition.
Investigate accidents, near misses and incidents and act on the findings.
Consult with workers on health and safety matters and encourage feedback.
Review and update this policy regularly to reflect changes in legislation and working practices.

Management Responsibilities

Management of Man With a Van Leyton accepts overall responsibility for ensuring that health and safety is effectively managed throughout the business. This includes:

Establishing and maintaining this policy and associated procedures.
Ensuring that appropriate resources are available for health and safety arrangements.
Ensuring that workers are competent, adequately trained and supervised.
Monitoring health and safety performance, including audits and site checks.
Responding promptly to health and safety concerns raised by workers or customers.
Leading by example and promoting a positive safety culture.

Employee Responsibilities

Every worker, whether full time, part time or temporary, has a responsibility 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 instructions, procedures and training provided.
Using vehicles, equipment and protective gear properly and only for their intended purpose.
Immediately reporting accidents, incidents, hazards or near misses to management.
Co-operating with any risk assessment, investigation or safety improvement measures.
Not undertaking tasks for which they are not trained or which they believe to be unsafe.
Maintaining a professional standard of behaviour, including being fit and able to work safely.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our key activities, including domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading vehicles, driving and work at or near customer properties. We take into account factors such as access routes, staircases, heavy or awkward items, parking arrangements and any specific customer requirements.

Risk assessments are reviewed when circumstances change, when new equipment or vehicles are introduced, or following a relevant incident. The findings are communicated to workers, and safe systems of work are developed, implemented and updated as needed.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and presents a significant risk of injury if not managed properly. To reduce risk we will:

Provide training in safe lifting techniques and team handling practices.
Encourage workers to assess the weight and shape of items before lifting.
Use handling aids and equipment such as trolleys, straps or dollies where appropriate.
Plan lifts so that routes are clear, surfaces are stable and sufficient staff are available.
Avoid lone lifting of heavy or bulky items whenever reasonably possible.
Stop work where the risk is considered unacceptable until a safer alternative is identified.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are central to our service and are maintained to a high standard to ensure safety on the road and at collection and delivery points. We will:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained by competent persons.
Check tyres, lights, brakes, securing points and other safety features as part of routine checks.
Require drivers to hold the appropriate licence and be medically fit to drive.
Ensure loads are distributed correctly and securely fastened to prevent movement during transit.
Plan routes, as far as practicable, to minimise unnecessary risk, congestion and delays.
Discourage unsafe driving practices, including speeding, using mobile phones while driving or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Work at customer premises is carried out with care for the safety of all present. We will:

Assess access routes, stairs, corridors, entrances and loading areas on arrival.
Use safe lifting and carrying techniques to avoid damage to property and reduce risk of injury.
Where possible, restrict access to work areas to prevent members of the public entering hazardous zones.
Keep work areas as tidy as possible, managing trip hazards such as packing materials and equipment.
Inform customers of any significant hazards we identify and work with them to minimise risk.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide workers with training relevant to their role, including induction training, manual handling, safe loading, use of equipment and awareness of hazards typical in removal work. Refresher training is provided where necessary, or when working practices or equipment change.

Supervision is provided in proportion to the experience and competence of workers and the level of risk associated with the job being undertaken. Information about specific jobs, including unusual items or restricted access, is communicated before work begins wherever possible.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents and near misses are to be reported to management as soon as practicable. We keep records of these events, investigate causes and take steps to prevent recurrence. Where necessary, we will co-operate with any external investigation by relevant authorities.

Review of this Policy

This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes in our operations, risk profile or legal requirements. Updates are communicated to all workers and implemented as part of our normal working practices.

By following this policy, Man With a Van Leyton aims to ensure that every move, whether small or large, is carried out with a consistent focus on safety, professionalism and care for people and property.