Man with Van Upton Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Upton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in all aspects of our man and van and removal services.

Policy Aims and Objectives

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property during all removal, loading, unloading, packing, transport, and related activities. We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. We seek continuous improvement in our safety performance through regular review and effective communication.

Our objectives include identifying and controlling risks, providing appropriate training and information, maintaining safe vehicles and equipment, and fostering a culture where safety is the responsibility of everyone in the company.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Upton is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that health and safety considerations are integrated into all planning and operational decisions. This includes:

Ensuring suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for removal and transport tasks. Providing employees with clear instructions, information, and supervision. Supplying and maintaining safe tools, lifting aids, and vehicles. Ensuring employees are competent for the tasks they undertake through training and experience. Monitoring working practices and taking prompt action where improvements are required.

Management will allocate appropriate resources to health and safety and will review this policy regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our services and operating areas.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has 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 are expected to:

Follow all safety procedures and instructions provided by the company. Use equipment, tools, and vehicles only as trained and intended. Wear any personal protective equipment issued to them when required. Report hazards, accidents, near misses, or unsafe conditions promptly to management. Cooperate fully with risk assessments, training, and any accident investigations.

Employees must not misuse or interfere with anything provided for their health, safety, or welfare.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We conduct risk assessments for typical removal and man and van tasks, including lifting and carrying items, working in confined or cluttered spaces, moving goods through stairways and corridors, and loading vehicles. Site specific assessments may be carried out for complex, high risk, or unusual jobs.

Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments and communicated to staff. This may include restrictions on load weights for manual handling, the use of lifting aids, safe techniques for navigating stairs and tight spaces, and measures to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Where risks cannot be eliminated, they will be reduced so far as is reasonably practicable.

Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is recognised as a significant source of potential injury. Man with Van Upton will minimise manual handling risks by:

Planning each job to reduce unnecessary carrying and lifting. Using trolleys, dollies, and other handling equipment where possible. Encouraging team lifting for heavy or awkward items. Training staff in correct lifting techniques, posture, and load assessment. Refusing to move items that present an unacceptable level of risk.

Employees must assess each item before lifting, taking into account weight, size, shape, and the route they will take, and should request assistance where required.

Vehicle, Driving, and Road Safety

Our vehicles are critical to our removal services, and their safe operation is essential. We will ensure that vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained in a roadworthy condition. Drivers must carry out basic pre use checks and report defects immediately.

Drivers are expected to obey road traffic laws, drive considerately, and adjust driving style to weather, traffic, and load conditions. Loads must be properly secured to prevent movement during transit, and access to doors, exits, and emergency equipment must be kept clear. Fatigue management is important; drivers must not drive while unfit through tiredness, illness, or any substance.

Protection of Customers, Property, and the Public

During collection and delivery, we take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors, neighbours, and the public from risks associated with our work. This includes careful parking and positioning of vehicles, maintaining clear access routes, and using warning signs or verbal warnings where necessary.

We handle customer property with care to avoid damage and to prevent hazards such as blocked exits, unstable stacks of boxes, or sharp edges left exposed. Where work is carried out in shared access areas or on the street, our team will be alert to passing pedestrians and other road users.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All staff receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their roles and responsibilities. This may include manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, use of personal protective equipment, and emergency procedures.

Supervisors and senior staff are responsible for ensuring new or less experienced team members are supported and monitored. Safety instructions and updates are communicated clearly and regularly, and employees are encouraged to ask questions if they are unsure about any aspect of a task.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported to management as soon as practicable. Accurate records help us identify trends and implement corrective measures. Where necessary, incident investigations will be carried out to understand root causes and prevent recurrence.

Emergency arrangements, including actions in the event of fire, injury, or vehicle breakdown, are explained to employees. Staff must follow these procedures, prioritising personal safety and the safety of others, and cooperate with emergency services if they are involved.

Review and Continuous Improvement

Man with Van Upton will review this Health and Safety Policy periodically, and following any significant change in our operations or relevant legislation. Feedback from employees and customers, as well as lessons learned from incidents, will be considered as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.

This policy is communicated to all employees and is available to customers and others who have an interest in our health and safety performance.