Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Barking

Man With a Van Barking 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 and transport services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks in all aspects of our man and van, moving, and delivery operations.

We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice. Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures throughout every stage of our work.

Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all activities carried out by Man With a Van Barking, including household removals, office moves, furniture transport, collection and delivery services, loading and unloading of vehicles, and any associated handling and storage of goods. It covers all staff, whether permanent, temporary, or subcontracted, while they are engaged in work on behalf of the company.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man With a Van Barking has overall responsibility for ensuring that this Health and Safety Policy is implemented, maintained, and regularly reviewed. Management will provide clear leadership on safety matters and will:

Ensure compliance with applicable health and safety laws and regulations. Provide suitable and sufficient information, instruction, training, and supervision for all staff. Supply appropriate equipment, vehicles, and personal protective equipment that are safe and fit for purpose. Carry out regular risk assessments of our operations, including lifting, carrying, driving, loading, unloading, and working at different locations. Take prompt action to remedy any hazards, unsafe practices, or near misses that are reported.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and subcontractors working for Man With a Van Barking 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. They are required to:

Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided. Use all equipment, vehicles, and personal protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately. Avoid taking unnecessary risks and ensure safe manual handling techniques are used at all times. Report accidents, incidents, and near misses without delay so that they can be investigated and prevented from recurring. Cooperate fully with management in the implementation of this policy and any related safety measures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We systematically assess the risks associated with our removal and delivery activities, including the movement of heavy and bulky items, use of trolleys and lifting aids, driving vehicles, navigating staircases, and working in confined or shared spaces.

From these assessments, we develop safe working procedures that address:

Manual handling of furniture, appliances, and boxes. Use of lifting aids and appropriate team lifting techniques. Loading and securing of goods in vehicles to prevent shifting during transport. Safe parking, reversing, and manoeuvring of vans in residential and commercial areas. Working around customers, neighbours, and the general public to minimise disruption and risk.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our operations, and we place special emphasis on reducing the risk of strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries. We will:

Provide training in safe lifting, carrying, and handling techniques. Use suitable handling aids such as sack trucks, dollies, and straps where appropriate. Plan each move to reduce unnecessary carrying distances and avoid awkward or hazardous lifting positions. Ensure that staff work in teams where needed to handle large or heavy items safely.

All tools and equipment used in our removal services are selected and maintained with safety in mind. Defective or damaged equipment will be removed from use immediately until repaired or replaced.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our man and van services, and we are committed to operating them safely and responsibly. We will:

Ensure that all drivers hold the appropriate licences and have received suitable training. Carry out regular checks and maintenance on vehicles to ensure they remain roadworthy and safe. Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits, and parking regulations. Plan routes to reduce unnecessary mileage, avoid unsafe manoeuvres, and minimise congestion where reasonably practicable. Ensure loads are appropriately distributed and secured to prevent movement and instability during transit.

Customer and Public Safety

We take care to protect customers, their property, and members of the public while carrying out our services. This includes:

Maintaining clear access routes and keeping work areas as tidy as possible. Using caution when moving large items through doorways, stairwells, corridors, and shared areas. Communicating clearly with customers about any potential hazards or restrictions in the working environment. Taking steps to minimise noise, obstruction, and disturbance during the move.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man With a Van Barking provides appropriate training and information to all staff, proportionate to their role and responsibilities. This may include induction training, manual handling instruction, vehicle safety, use of equipment, and site-specific briefings.

Supervisors and experienced team members are expected to monitor working practices, provide guidance, and intervene where unsafe behaviour or conditions are observed. Training needs are reviewed periodically and whenever new equipment, vehicles, or procedures are introduced.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, and near misses occurring during our work must be reported as soon as possible. We will investigate these events to understand what happened, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Our teams are briefed on basic emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of personal injury, vehicle accidents, fire, or damage to property during a move. Where necessary, we will coordinate with emergency services and inform relevant parties of any significant incidents.

Continuous Improvement and Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation, or industry guidance. We seek to continuously improve our health and safety performance by learning from experience, listening to feedback from staff and customers, and adopting better methods where available.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Man With a Van Barking aims to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable removal and transport services across our operating area.