Man with Van Hatton Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Hatton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with our services, including domestic and commercial moves, loading and unloading, packing, and van operations.
We recognise that professional removal work involves manual handling, vehicle use and work at customers premises, and we are committed to controlling these risks through planning, training and safe systems of work.
Our Health and Safety Commitments
Man with Van Hatton will, so far as is reasonably practicable:
Provide and maintain a safe working environment, safe equipment and safe systems of work for all removal and delivery tasks.
Assess the health and safety risks arising from our activities and put proportionate control measures in place.
Provide information, instruction, supervision and training to enable staff to carry out their duties safely and competently.
Ensure vehicles and equipment used for removal services are suitable, properly maintained and used in accordance with safe working practices.
Consult with workers on health and safety matters and encourage active participation in improving standards.
Prevent accidents, work-related ill health and damage to property by planning work carefully and learning from incidents.
Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and accepted industry best practice.
Review and update this policy periodically and when changes to our operations or legislation occur.
Responsibilities for Health and Safety
Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Hatton rests with management, who ensure arrangements are in place and adequately resourced.
Management will:
Lead by example in promoting a positive health and safety culture.
Ensure risk assessments are conducted, recorded and reviewed for our core activities, including lifting and carrying, navigating stairs, loading and unloading vehicles, and driving.
Provide appropriate training, guidance and supervision for all staff and contractors.
Ensure that only competent and authorised personnel operate vehicles and any mechanical handling equipment.
Investigate accidents, injuries, near misses and property damage, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Employees and contractors will:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety procedures, training and instructions provided by Man with Van Hatton.
Use vehicles, tools, protective equipment and other work equipment correctly and report any defects without delay.
Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions or concerns about health and safety to management promptly.
Refrain from horseplay, unsafe shortcuts or working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair judgement.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Man with Van Hatton carries out risk assessments for typical removal and transport tasks and for any non-routine or higher risk activities. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, working in and around vehicles, moving large or fragile items, and working on customer premises.
From these assessments, we develop and implement safe systems of work, including:
Planning routes and access to properties to reduce manual handling distances and avoid unnecessary risks.
Using lifting aids such as trolleys or skates where appropriate, and ensuring team lifting is used for heavy or bulky items.
Assessing the weight, size and condition of items before moving them, and refusing unsafe lifts when necessary.
Taking extra care on stairs, narrow corridors, uneven surfaces and in poor weather conditions.
Protecting floors, walls and doorways where reasonable to minimise damage and trip hazards.
Ensuring that only suitable and stable stacking methods are used within the van and that loads are properly secured.
All staff are instructed in these procedures and are expected to follow them consistently.
Manual Handling and Personal Safety
Manual handling is a key part of our removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. We aim to avoid hazardous manual handling where possible, for example by adjusting the job plan, using mechanical aids, or safely reducing the size of loads.
Where manual handling cannot be avoided, we ensure that:
Staff receive instruction in safe lifting techniques, including posture, grip, load assessment and coordinated team lifting.
Loads are assessed for weight, stability and potential pinch points before being moved.
Rest breaks are taken as needed during demanding work to avoid fatigue.
Staff are encouraged to speak up if they consider a lift to be unsafe or beyond their capabilities.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
The safe operation of our vans is essential to protect staff, customers and other road users. Man with Van Hatton ensures that:
Vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks of tyres, brakes, lights and securing points.
Drivers hold the appropriate licence, are competent to drive the vehicle and have been briefed on safe loading and unloading practices.
Loads are distributed evenly, secured properly and kept within the vehicle capacity and legal weight limits.
Drivers follow road traffic laws, adjust their driving to conditions and do not use mobile phones or other distractions while driving.
Driving time and workloads are planned to reduce the risk of fatigue.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our teams often work in and around customers homes, offices, shared buildings and public areas. We take care to ensure that:
Access routes are kept as clear as practicable to avoid slips, trips and obstruction of exits.
Where possible, we communicate with customers about any temporary hazards, such as open doors, ramps or partial obstruction of walkways during loading.
Care is taken when moving items through communal areas, corridors and entrances to prevent injury or damage.
Any incidents affecting customers, neighbours or the public are reported to management and dealt with promptly and fairly.
Training, Communication and Review
Man with Van Hatton provides initial and refresher training appropriate to the roles undertaken, covering safe lifting, vehicle safety, use of equipment and site conduct. Health and safety expectations are communicated during induction and reinforced through ongoing guidance.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly, and at least annually, to ensure it remains suitable for the scale and nature of our removal and transport services. Changes in law, industry guidance or our operating practices will trigger an earlier review where necessary.
By working together and following this policy, Man with Van Hatton aims to provide a high standard of removal and delivery services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved.
