Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Tufnell Park
Man and a Van Tufnell Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team, 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 approach to managing risks associated with moving, handling, loading, unloading and transporting goods.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting sensible control measures in place. Health and Safety is an integral part of our removal services, from initial booking and planning through to completion of each job.
We aim to:
Identify and manage risks associated with manual handling, vehicle movements, loading and unloading, use of equipment and work in customers premises. Provide appropriate information, training and supervision to all staff and operatives. Maintain vehicles and equipment in a safe and roadworthy condition. Promote a culture where safety concerns can be raised without hesitation and are acted upon promptly. Comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry good practice.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man and a Van Tufnell Park is responsible for implementing this policy and reviewing it regularly to ensure it remains effective and up to date. Management will:
Plan removal operations with safety in mind, taking into account access routes, parking, lifting requirements and any special risks. Ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for typical removal tasks and that site specific risks are considered on the day. Provide and maintain appropriate equipment, including trolleys, lifting aids, securing straps and protective materials. Organise regular inspection and maintenance of vehicles, ramps, tail lifts, and other work equipment. Investigate incidents and near misses and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and contractors working on behalf of Man and a Van Tufnell Park have a duty 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, training and guidance provided. Using equipment and vehicles only for their intended purpose and in a safe manner. Reporting defects in vehicles, equipment, flooring, access routes or property as soon as they are noticed. Wearing appropriate clothing and footwear suitable for removal work and weather conditions. Refusing to carry out tasks that they consider unsafe until the risk has been properly addressed.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and carries a risk of back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders. To minimise these risks, Man and a Van Tufnell Park will:
Encourage staff to use trolleys, dollies and lifting aids wherever reasonably practicable. Plan lifting tasks in advance, including the route to and from the vehicle and any obstacles or stairs. Avoid single person lifting of heavy, awkward or unstable items; team lifting will be used when necessary. Provide guidance on correct lifting techniques, including posture, grip and team coordination. Assess particularly heavy or fragile items and, where appropriate, advise the customer that specialist equipment or additional staff may be required.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to our operations and must be operated safely at all times. To achieve this we will:
Ensure all drivers hold the appropriate driving licence and are competent to drive the relevant vehicle type. Conduct regular checks on tyres, lights, brakes, securing points and other safety critical components. Load vehicles securely using straps and other restraints to prevent movement of goods during transit. Avoid overloading by respecting the vehicle load capacity and distributing weight evenly. Encourage safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, defensive driving and sufficient rest breaks.
On Site Safety at Customer Premises
Our teams frequently work in residential and commercial properties. We recognise the importance of working safely in these environments to protect our staff, customers and the public. We will:
Assess access routes, staircases, doorways and parking arrangements upon arrival. Use floor protection, corner guards or other protective materials where appropriate to reduce the risk of slips and damage. Keep walkways clear of trip hazards such as packing materials, tools and loose items. Communicate clearly with customers and building occupants about the movement of large items to avoid collisions or obstructions. Take particular care when working in shared spaces such as corridors, pavements, entrances and car parks.
Equipment and Personal Protective Measures
Where the nature of the work requires it, Man and a Van Tufnell Park will provide suitable work equipment and protective items. Depending on the task, this may include:
Removal blankets, straps and webbing to protect items and reduce handling risks. Trolleys or dollies to move heavy boxes and appliances. Gloves where handling rough, sharp or dirty items makes this sensible. High visibility garments when working near traffic or in low light conditions. Any other reasonable equipment identified through our risk assessments.
Welfare, Fatigue and Fitness for Work
Removal work can be physically demanding. To help protect the health and wellbeing of our staff, we will:
Plan jobs realistically to avoid excessive working hours wherever possible. Encourage regular breaks, especially for drivers and staff carrying out heavy manual tasks. Expect staff to present themselves fit for work and not under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that impairs performance. Support staff in raising concerns about fatigue, physical strain or health issues that may affect their ability to work safely.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, injuries, near misses and property damage incidents must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We will review each report to understand what happened and implement improvements where needed.
Man and a Van Tufnell Park is committed to continually improving its health and safety performance. This policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, services or legal requirements. Lessons learned from experience, staff feedback and industry developments will be used to refine our approach so that safety remains at the heart of our removal services.
