Man with Van Ham Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Ham is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and secure 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 approach to managing risk and maintaining high safety standards across all stages of our work, from initial planning through to completion of each move.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary health and safety objectives are to prevent injury, protect health, and minimise risks associated with removal and transportation services. We aim to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. We will continuously review and improve our procedures to ensure that our operations remain safe, efficient, and responsible.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Ham is responsible for implementing and maintaining this policy. This includes providing appropriate resources, training, and supervision to ensure that health and safety standards are upheld at all times. Managers must:

Plan and organise work so that it can be carried out safely.

Ensure that risk assessments are completed, documented where appropriate, and kept up to date.

Monitor working practices and investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses.

Encourage open communication regarding safety concerns and act promptly when issues are raised.

Lead by example by following all safety procedures and promoting a positive safety culture.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and regular worker has a duty of care to themselves, their colleagues, our customers, and the public. All staff must:

Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all safety instructions, training, and company procedures without exception.

Use equipment, vehicles, and protective gear correctly and report defects immediately.

Report accidents, incidents, near misses, or hazards as soon as practicable.

Cooperate with any investigation or review aimed at improving safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before commencing removal work, we consider the nature of the property, access routes, item weights, and any special handling requirements. Risk assessments may be conducted on site or during the planning phase to identify hazards such as manual handling risks, trip hazards, traffic movement, restricted spaces, and adverse weather conditions. Where risks are identified, appropriate control measures are implemented. These may include additional manpower, use of lifting aids, revised access routes, temporary barriers, or rescheduling work to safer times.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is central to our removal activities and is treated as a key safety priority. All staff are trained to recognise hazardous lifting tasks and to use correct techniques. Wherever possible, we use mechanical aids and equipment such as trolleys, dollies, and straps to reduce strain and prevent injury. Staff are instructed to:

Assess the weight, size, and stability of items before lifting or moving them.

Ask for assistance or additional equipment for heavy, awkward, or bulky items.

Keep walkways clear to avoid slips, trips, and falls while carrying items.

Refuse to move items in a manner that would present an unacceptable risk to themselves or others.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are essential to the delivery of our services and must be operated safely at all times. Drivers are required to hold the appropriate licence, follow road traffic laws, and drive in a manner that is considerate to other road users. We are committed to:

Ensuring vehicles are regularly inspected, maintained, and kept roadworthy.

Loading vehicles securely so that goods are stable and weight is evenly distributed.

Planning routes to minimise unnecessary risks, congestion, and time pressure.

Discouraging fatigue by allowing reasonable breaks and requiring drivers to report any condition that may affect safe driving.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams often work in and around homes, business premises, shared spaces, and public areas. We take reasonable steps to protect customers, neighbours, visitors, and passers-by from harm. This includes:

Maintaining tidy work areas and keeping access routes as clear as possible.

Using warning signs or verbal communication where work may affect others.

Handling customer property carefully to avoid damage that could create hazards.

Being mindful of noise, obstruction, and vehicle movement in residential and commercial streets.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man with Van Ham provides appropriate training and guidance so that staff understand their responsibilities and can work safely. Training may cover manual handling techniques, use of equipment, vehicle loading and securing, hazard awareness, incident reporting, and emergency procedures. New staff receive an introduction to our health and safety expectations, while existing staff are refreshed as needed when procedures, legislation, or work methods change. Supervisors monitor performance and provide on-the-job guidance.

Equipment, Personal Protective Gear, and Maintenance

We ensure that tools, lifting devices, and protective gear are suitable for the tasks undertaken and maintained in good condition. Staff are required to use such equipment in accordance with their training. Defective or damaged equipment must be reported immediately and removed from use until it is repaired or replaced. Personal protective items such as gloves or safety footwear may be provided where risks justify their use.

Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, and significant near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records are kept in order to identify patterns and enable improvements. We investigate incidents with the aim of identifying root causes and preventing recurrence, rather than assigning blame. Lessons learned are shared with staff and, where necessary, result in updated procedures, additional training, or changes to equipment or work planning.

Health, Welfare, and Fitness for Work

We recognise the importance of general health and wellbeing in maintaining safety. Staff are encouraged to inform management of any health issues that may affect their ability to perform physically demanding tasks or to drive safely. We will make reasonable adjustments where practicable. The misuse of alcohol or drugs is not tolerated during working hours or in circumstances where it may affect work performance or safety.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, working practices, or the nature of our services. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and used to enhance our safety performance. By working together, we aim to provide professional removal services delivered with care, responsibility, and a strong commitment to the health and safety of everyone involved.