Health and Safety Policy for Man with van Bedford Park
Man with van Bedford Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, clients, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, transporting, and delivering household and commercial items.
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health, and to promote a culture of safety and responsibility throughout our operations.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with van Bedford Park rests with the company management, who will ensure that appropriate resources and arrangements are in place to implement this policy. Management is responsible for:
Ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety laws and recognised industry standards.
Providing guidance, training, and supervision so that all workers can carry out their duties safely.
Reviewing risk assessments and updating safe working procedures when needed.
Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses, and implementing corrective actions.
Every employee, contractor, and temporary worker has a duty to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided.
Use the correct equipment and protective gear as instructed.
Report hazards, unsafe practices, accidents, and near misses to management without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Man with van Bedford Park conducts regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards associated with removal and transport work. These assessments consider tasks such as lifting and carrying items, working in confined or cluttered spaces, operating vehicles, loading and unloading, and working at customers premises.
Based on the findings of these assessments, we develop and implement safe systems of work, including:
Planning removal routes and access points in advance.
Assessing stairways, corridors, and doorways for safe manoeuvring of items.
Using appropriate lifting techniques, aids, and teamwork to reduce strain and manual handling risk.
Ensuring safe loading, securing, and unloading of goods from vehicles.
Review of individual jobs where unusual items, fragile goods, or restricted access may require additional controls.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of our work, and we recognise the risk of musculoskeletal injuries if it is carried out incorrectly. To minimise these risks, Man with van Bedford Park will:
Provide manual handling training and refresher guidance to all team members involved in lifting and moving.
Encourage staff to assess each item before lifting, considering size, shape, weight, and stability.
Promote team lifting for heavy or awkward items and the use of trolleys, straps, and other appropriate equipment where practicable.
Discourage unsafe practices such as overreaching, twisting while lifting, or carrying loads that obstruct vision.
Employees are required to refuse to lift or move any item they believe poses an unacceptable risk without additional support or equipment.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are essential to the removal service we provide. Man with van Bedford Park is committed to operating vehicles safely and responsibly. We will:
Ensure that all vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained to a safe standard.
Check that drivers hold the appropriate licences and are competent to operate the vehicles they are assigned.
Require drivers to observe all road traffic laws, speed limits, and parking regulations.
Promote safe loading practices so that goods are evenly distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit.
Discourage the use of mobile phones while driving, except where a legally compliant hands free system is in place and can be used safely.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We recognise our duty to protect customers and the public from risks arising from our work. When operating at customer premises or in shared spaces, our staff will:
Assess access routes and working areas to identify hazards such as trip risks, poor lighting, or obstacles.
Keep walkways and stairways as clear as reasonably possible during the removal process.
Use safe lifting and carrying techniques to avoid sudden movements that may endanger others.
Be considerate of noise, parking arrangements, and access for neighbours and other road users.
Where necessary, restrict access to areas where loading or unloading is in progress to reduce the risk of accidents.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Man with van Bedford Park ensures that employees receive information, instruction, and training suitable for their roles. This may include:
Induction training covering key health and safety rules and expectations.
Manual handling and safe lifting techniques.
Safe use of moving equipment, securing devices, and vehicle loading systems.
Awareness of hazards when working in customers homes, offices, and shared areas.
Supervision is provided, especially for newer or less experienced staff, to ensure that procedures are followed and that any unsafe practice is corrected promptly.
Accidents, Incidents, and First Aid
All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported as soon as possible to management. Man with van Bedford Park will:
Keep a record of accidents and incidents, including any injuries sustained.
Investigate the circumstances to understand the causes and identify measures to prevent recurrence.
Encourage open reporting without blame, so that safety concerns can be raised and addressed effectively.
Ensure that appropriate first aid equipment is available in vehicles or at work locations, and that staff know how to seek medical assistance when required.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We believe that everyone has a role to play in improving health and safety. Man with van Bedford Park encourages staff to provide feedback on working practices and to suggest improvements. We will consult with employees on changes that may affect their health and safety and take their views into account when updating procedures.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, equipment, or legal requirements. Any amendments will be communicated to all relevant personnel so that it remains a living document guiding our daily work.
