Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Leyton Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Leyton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, customers, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with our removal and transportation services, including loading, unloading, driving, lifting and working in a variety of residential and commercial settings.

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and unnecessary disruption, while delivering reliable and efficient man and van removals. We expect all employees and contractors representing Man with Van Leyton to follow this policy and any related procedures at all times.

Responsibilities and Management Commitment

The management of Man with Van Leyton holds overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. This includes ensuring that appropriate resources, equipment, information and supervision are provided so that work can be carried out safely and in accordance with legal requirements and industry best practice.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for:

Providing clear instructions and guidance on safe working methods.

Ensuring staff are competent and receive suitable training.

Monitoring compliance with this policy and taking corrective action where necessary.

Reviewing incidents, near misses and feedback to improve safety performance.

All employees, including drivers and removal operatives, must:

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

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

Use equipment correctly and not misuse or tamper with any safety devices.

Report hazards, incidents, injuries, near misses and unsafe conditions promptly to management.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Man with Van Leyton undertakes risk assessments for typical removal and transport activities, including collection, loading, unloading and delivery at homes, offices and other premises. These assessments identify potential hazards and the measures needed to control them.

Where required, a site-specific assessment may be carried out for more complex jobs, such as moves involving restricted access, heavy or awkward items, multiple flights of stairs or unusual loading and parking arrangements.

Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments and cover topics such as manual handling, safe driving, use of lifting aids, working on customer premises and dealing with adverse weather conditions. Employees must follow these systems of work at all times.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling is a significant part of our removals work and is therefore a key health and safety priority. To reduce the risk of injury, Man with Van Leyton:

Provides training in correct lifting and carrying techniques.

Encourages staff to assess each load before lifting and to refuse unsafe lifts.

Promotes team lifting for heavy or bulky items.

Uses suitable equipment such as trolleys, dollies and straps where appropriate.

Ensures that vehicles are loaded in a stable and balanced way to prevent shifting of loads in transit.

Employees must not attempt to move items that exceed their physical capabilities and should seek assistance or additional equipment when needed. Where possible, items should be dismantled to reduce weight and make handling safer.

Vehicle Safety and Safe Driving

Our removal vehicles are essential to our operations and must be operated safely at all times. Man with Van Leyton is committed to:

Maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing.

Ensuring drivers hold the appropriate licence and are competent to drive the vehicles they use.

Checking that loads are properly secured to prevent movement or falling items.

Planning routes to minimise unnecessary risk and delays.

Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, follow safe driving practices, avoid distractions and never drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair their ability to drive. Fatigue must be reported and managed so that no one drives while excessively tired.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer premises, our staff act with care and consideration for both people and property. Man with Van Leyton aims to:

Keep access routes, stairs and doorways as clear as reasonably possible.

Use appropriate lifting and protective equipment to reduce the risk of damage or injury.

Communicate with customers about any hazards, such as uneven surfaces or low ceilings.

Minimise noise and disruption, particularly in shared buildings and residential areas.

Care is taken to protect members of the public, neighbours and other building users from risks associated with our work, such as moving large items through shared corridors, entrances and car parks.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Leyton provides appropriate information, instruction and training to employees to enable them to work safely. This may include:

Induction training for new starters on company safety procedures.

Manual handling and safe lifting techniques.

Vehicle safety and defensive driving principles.

Use of any specialist equipment involved in removals.

Ongoing supervision is provided to ensure procedures are followed and to identify where further training or guidance may be required.

Accidents, Incidents and Reporting

All accidents, injuries, near misses and hazardous situations must be reported to management as soon as possible. Man with Van Leyton records these events, investigates where appropriate and takes action to prevent recurrence.

Employees are encouraged to speak up about safety concerns without fear of blame. Our focus is on learning from incidents and improving our systems in a practical and constructive way.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and the importance of maintaining good health and fitness. Employees are expected to present fit for work and to notify management of any condition that may affect their ability to carry out tasks safely.

Where possible, work will be organised to reduce excessive strain and to allow for adequate breaks, hydration and rest. The company does not tolerate the use of alcohol or illegal drugs during working hours or immediately prior to work.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as required to reflect changes in legislation, industry practice or the nature of our services. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and used to help improve our safety performance.

By following this policy, Man with Van Leyton aims to deliver professional, reliable and safe removal services across our operating area, protecting everyone involved in or affected by our work.