Man with Van Denmark Hill Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Denmark Hill is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our customers, employees, contractors, and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risk and promote safe working practices during all removal and transport activities.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
We recognise that the nature of removal and transport work involves physical lifting, loading, driving, and working in varied locations. We are committed to assessing and controlling the risks associated with these activities so that accidents, injuries, and damage to property are minimised.
Health and safety is a core part of our service. Management and workers share responsibility for maintaining high standards and complying with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised best practice in the removal industry.
Responsibilities and Duty of Care
Man with Van Denmark Hill accepts its duty of care to provide, as far as reasonably practicable, a safe working environment, safe systems of work, and appropriate equipment. We will provide information, instruction, and guidance to support safe working methods at all times.
All workers, whether permanent or temporary, are expected to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, and report any unsafe conditions or incidents immediately.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before each removal or delivery, we consider the specific risks involved, including access routes, parking, loading areas, and the nature of the items to be moved. Where necessary, a more detailed risk assessment is carried out to identify potential hazards and appropriate control measures.
Examples of control measures include planning safe lifting routes, allocating sufficient personnel for heavy or awkward items, avoiding overloading vehicles, and using suitable equipment for moving goods. We seek to eliminate hazards where possible and reduce risks that cannot be removed entirely.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key aspect of our work, and we recognise the potential for strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries. To reduce these risks, we follow safe manual handling techniques and do not permit unsafe lifting practices.
Items are assessed for size, weight, and stability before being moved. Workers are instructed to:
Use correct lifting posture and techniques, seek assistance for heavy or awkward loads, utilise trolleys, dollies, and other moving aids where appropriate, and avoid carrying items that exceed reasonable manual handling limits.
We encourage staff to stop and reassess a task if they feel it cannot be done safely.
Use of Equipment and Vehicles
All vehicles used by Man with Van Denmark Hill must be maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Regular checks are carried out on brakes, tyres, lights, mirrors, and securing points to ensure the vehicle is safe for use on public roads and safe for loading and unloading.
Loading is planned so that items are secured to prevent shifting during transit. Heavy objects are placed low and evenly distributed, and appropriate restraints are used where necessary. Workers must not travel in the cargo area and must wear seat belts in the cab.
Any moving or lifting equipment used must be in good condition and suitable for the task. Damaged or defective equipment must be removed from service immediately and reported to management.
Customer and Public Safety
We take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors, and members of the public during our work. This includes managing access to loading areas, keeping walkways clear of tripping hazards, and carefully controlling the movement of large items through shared spaces, corridors, and entrances.
Where appropriate, we will communicate with customers about any short-term restrictions, such as keeping children or pets away from loading areas, to reduce the risk of accidents.
Housekeeping and Site Conduct
Good housekeeping on site is an essential part of our safety practice. We aim to keep work areas tidy and free from unnecessary clutter, packaging, and debris that could create tripping or slipping hazards.
Staff must behave professionally at all times, showing respect for customers and their property, avoiding unsafe shortcuts, and following agreed access routes. Any damage or near-miss incidents must be reported to allow for review and improvement.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and unsafe conditions must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to investigate what happened, take corrective action, and update our risk assessments and procedures where required.
We aim to learn from every incident, no matter how minor, to reduce the likelihood of recurrence and to continuously improve our health and safety practices.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We ensure that staff receive appropriate guidance and instruction relevant to their role, including safe lifting methods, vehicle loading practices, and procedures for working in different types of properties. Where necessary, additional supervision is provided for new or inexperienced workers until they are competent to work safely.
Health and safety information is communicated clearly, and staff are encouraged to raise any concerns or suggestions for improving safety. We recognise that an open and proactive safety culture benefits everyone.
Review and Policy Updates
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, equipment, or applicable regulations. Updates will be communicated to all relevant staff so that our procedures remain current and effective.
By choosing Man with Van Denmark Hill, customers can be confident that we treat health and safety as a priority and integrate safe working practices into every stage of the removal process.
