Man with Van Woodside Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Woodside is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our responsibilities and the standards we apply when carrying out home and office moves, furniture transport and related services within our service areas.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

The primary objectives of this policy are to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and unnecessary disruption during removal operations. We aim to identify and control risks associated with manual handling, driving, loading and unloading, working in and around customers premises, and the use of vehicles and equipment. We continually seek to improve our health and safety performance and to integrate safe working practices into every stage of our removal services.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man with Van Woodside has overall responsibility for health and safety. This includes ensuring that suitable resources are made available, that procedures are developed and maintained, and that staff receive appropriate training and supervision. Management will regularly review this policy, monitor compliance, and update it as necessary in line with changes to legislation, industry best practice and the nature of the services we provide.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for planning removal jobs in a way that minimises health and safety risks. This includes assessing access routes, parking and loading arrangements, handling requirements, and any special customer considerations such as vulnerable occupants or restricted environments.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors of Man with Van Woodside share responsibility for health and safety. They must take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff are required to follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, cooperate with training, and report hazards, incidents and near misses without delay.

Employees must never engage in reckless behaviour, misuse equipment, or attempt tasks that are beyond their competence or physical capability. Any health condition, fatigue, or concern that may affect the safe performance of duties must be reported to management as soon as possible.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We conduct risk assessments for our typical removal activities, including lifting and carrying, use of trolleys and ramps, loading vehicles, driving, and working in domestic and commercial premises. Where necessary, we carry out job-specific assessments, particularly for larger moves, items of unusual size or weight, or properties with restricted access, stairs or difficult parking.

Based on these assessments, we establish safe systems of work that set out the steps to be followed, the number of staff required, the equipment to be used and any control measures needed to reduce risk to an acceptable level. Staff are briefed on these procedures and must follow them at all times.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal services, and we recognise the potential for injury if it is not managed correctly. All staff receive guidance on safe lifting techniques, team lifting, use of mechanical aids, and the importance of planning the route before moving items.

Wherever possible, mechanical aids such as sack trucks, dollies and furniture sliders are used to reduce strain. Heavy or awkward items are shared between team members, and loads are kept within safe weight limits. Staff are instructed to refuse to move any item they believe cannot be handled safely with the resources available.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

All vehicles used for removal work are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks on tyres, lights, brakes, load securing points and other safety-critical features. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow the Highway Code and drive in a manner that is safe, courteous and considerate to other road users.

Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit, and vehicles are never intentionally overloaded. Drivers are expected to assess parking and access in a way that minimises risk to pedestrians, other vehicles and property, and to avoid blocking emergency exits or access routes.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working in and around customer premises, our staff will take care to protect both people and property. This may include using floor protection where appropriate, keeping routes clear, and positioning items and equipment in a way that reduces trip and collision hazards.

Where there is a risk to others, such as in shared hallways or on pathways, staff will communicate clearly with occupants and members of the public and, where possible, establish a safe working area. Doors, gates and access routes will be managed to prevent accidents while maintaining necessary security for the customer.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Equipment used for lifting, carrying and protecting goods is inspected regularly and removed from service if found to be damaged or unsafe. Staff are expected to check equipment before use and report any defects immediately.

Where necessary, personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear and gloves, is provided and must be used as instructed. PPE is regarded as a last line of defence and does not replace safe handling techniques and careful planning of each job.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Woodside provides appropriate induction and ongoing training to ensure staff understand their health and safety responsibilities and have the skills needed to work safely. This includes training on manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, dealing with customers, and emergency procedures.

New or less experienced staff are supervised by competent team members until they have demonstrated that they can carry out tasks safely. Information about specific risks, such as unusual loads or challenging access, is provided before work begins wherever possible.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, near misses and damage to property or equipment must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

We encourage feedback from employees and customers on any aspect of health and safety related to our removal services. This feedback is reviewed and, where appropriate, used to update procedures, training and risk assessments.

Policy Review and Communication

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or legal requirements. A current copy of the policy is made available to all employees and is communicated as part of staff training and induction.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Man with Van Woodside aims to deliver professional removal services while maintaining a safe environment for everyone involved.