Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Teddington

Man With a Van Teddington 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 Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, unloading, driving, and working in and around residential and commercial properties.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health arising from our man and van and removal services. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing effective controls, and promoting a positive safety culture across all aspects of our operations.

We are committed to continual improvement in our health and safety performance and to complying with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice for removal and transport services.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man With a Van Teddington is responsible for ensuring that health and safety is integrated into all planning and decision-making processes. This includes:

Ensuring that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for removal jobs, loading and unloading, vehicle operations, and work at customers premises.

Providing appropriate equipment, vehicles, and safety resources that are fit for purpose and maintained in a safe condition.

Ensuring that employees receive adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision to carry out their work safely.

Monitoring health and safety performance and reviewing procedures where necessary.

Allocating sufficient resources to implement and maintain this Health and Safety Policy.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, including drivers, porters, and team leaders, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided by the company.

Use equipment, vehicles, and protective clothing in accordance with training and instructions.

Report any hazards, defects, near-misses, or incidents to management without delay.

Refrain from any reckless or unsafe behaviour, including overloading, improper lifting, or unsafe driving practices.

Cooperate with management on all matters relating to health and safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before each removal job, a risk-based approach is taken to identify potential hazards related to access routes, parking arrangements, stairways, lifts, heavy or awkward items, and any specific customer requirements. Where necessary, a dynamic on-site assessment is carried out on arrival to confirm that the planned method of work remains safe and appropriate.

Control measures may include use of additional manpower, mechanical aids such as trolleys, careful route planning within the property, and appropriate lifting techniques. Where conditions are considered unsafe, work will be paused and reassessed, and alternative arrangements agreed with the customer where possible.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our man and van and removals work. To reduce the risk of injury, Man With a Van Teddington:

Provides training in safe lifting techniques, including team lifting for heavy or bulky items.

Uses handling aids such as dollies, trolleys, straps, and blankets where appropriate.

Plans lifts in advance, considering weight, shape, stability, and access routes.

Encourages staff to refuse unsafe lifts and to request assistance or equipment when needed.

Limits manual handling of items that exceed safe weights or cannot be moved without unacceptable risk.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to the provision of reliable removal and delivery services. To maintain high standards of road safety, we:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained in line with legal and manufacturer requirements.

Require drivers to carry out basic pre-use checks and report any defects immediately.

Load vehicles securely to prevent movement of goods during transit and to maintain vehicle stability.

Expect drivers to adhere to speed limits, parking rules, and road traffic laws at all times.

Do not tolerate driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impairs performance.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer locations, our teams take care to protect both people and property. This includes:

Maintaining clear access routes and avoiding trip hazards such as loose packing materials.

Using floor and wall protection where appropriate to minimise the risk of damage.

Positioning vehicles safely to avoid obstructing pavements, driveways, or emergency access routes.

Communicating with customers about any identified hazards, such as narrow staircases or fragile surfaces.

Working in a considerate manner that minimises disruption to neighbours and the general public.

Equipment, PPE and Housekeeping

Man With a Van Teddington provides suitable equipment and, where necessary, personal protective equipment to support safe working. Staff are instructed to use this equipment correctly and to maintain good housekeeping standards at all times, keeping work areas tidy and free of unnecessary obstructions.

Training, Supervision and Competence

All staff receive induction training covering company health and safety expectations, manual handling, and safe vehicle use. Additional task-specific training is provided as required. New or less experienced staff are supervised until they have demonstrated sufficient competence to work independently.

Accident, Incident and Near-Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, and near-misses that occur during our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. We investigate these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions, with the aim of preventing recurrence and improving our overall safety performance.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, or the nature of our man and van and removal operations. Any significant changes are communicated to employees and implemented promptly.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Man With a Van Teddington seeks to provide a safe, reliable, and professional removal service for customers while protecting the wellbeing of our staff and the wider community.