Man with Van Soho Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Soho 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 explains our approach to managing risk, preventing injury and protecting property throughout every stage of our man and van and removal services.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health; to protect customer property and surrounding premises; and to continually improve our health and safety performance. We aim to identify hazards in our day-to-day operations, assess associated risks and implement sensible, practical control measures that ensure safe removals and deliveries.

Legal Responsibilities and Management Commitment

Man with Van Soho complies with applicable health and safety laws and regulations relevant to removal and transport services. Management is responsible for ensuring that health and safety is integrated into planning, decision-making and daily operations, including vehicle use, lifting and carrying, loading and unloading, and work carried out at customer locations. We review this policy regularly to keep it up to date with changes in legislation, best practice and our working methods.

Roles and Responsibilities

Management is responsible for providing safe systems of work, appropriate instruction, supervision, equipment and resources to protect health and safety. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy, leading by example, monitoring working practices and addressing unsafe behaviour or conditions.

All employees and contractors 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. This includes following all safety instructions, using equipment correctly, reporting hazards or incidents, and cooperating with training and safety initiatives.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man with Van Soho undertakes risk assessments for typical removal activities, including lifting and carrying items, packing and unpacking, loading and unloading vehicles, working in stairwells, narrow corridors, and near roads or driveways. Site-specific assessments may be carried out where required, for example for large items, restricted access or fragile environments.

We develop and maintain safe systems of work based on these assessments. These systems cover planning of the move, use of lifting techniques, team coordination, handling of bulky or heavy items, and the use of equipment such as trolleys, straps and protective coverings. Our teams are instructed to stop work and seek guidance if they believe an activity cannot be carried out safely.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work. Man with Van Soho provides guidance and training in safe lifting and carrying techniques, including assessing the weight and shape of items, planning the route, and working in pairs or teams for heavier objects. Where possible we use mechanical aids and handling equipment to reduce physical strain and risk of injury.

All equipment, including trolleys, dollies, ramps, blankets, straps and other protective materials, is maintained in good condition. Defective or damaged equipment is removed from service until repaired or replaced. Our teams are required to use the appropriate equipment for each task and not improvise with unsuitable tools or methods.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our man and van services, and we take vehicle safety seriously. Vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they are roadworthy and suitable for transporting goods. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow all road traffic laws, and drive with consideration for passengers, other road users and pedestrians.

Loads are secured within the vehicle to prevent movement, damage or instability during transit. Overloading is not permitted, and weight is distributed to maintain vehicle balance and control. Drivers are instructed to plan routes to allow safe access to pick-up and delivery locations, including consideration of one-way systems, loading areas and safe stopping points.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in a wide range of domestic and commercial premises. We take care to protect floors, walls, doors, fixtures and fittings when carrying items in and out. Where necessary, we may use coverings, corner protectors or other materials to prevent damage. We strive to keep access areas clear of obstacles, packing materials and tools to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls.

We are mindful of neighbours, pedestrians and other members of the public when parking vehicles, moving items and working outside properties. Where there is a risk to the public, we adopt control measures such as using safe routes, clearly communicating with those nearby, and avoiding unnecessary obstruction of pavements and entrances.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Soho provides appropriate training and instruction to all staff according to their role and responsibilities. This may include induction training on company procedures, manual handling, equipment use, vehicle safety, emergency arrangements and incident reporting. Training needs are reviewed periodically and when new equipment, vehicles or working methods are introduced.

Supervision is provided to ensure that safety procedures are followed consistently and to support less experienced staff. We encourage open communication about safety concerns and are committed to addressing issues promptly and constructively.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, injuries, property damage and near misses that occur during our removal activities must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. We record these events, investigate their causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence, where appropriate.

We are committed to learning from experience and see accurate reporting as an essential part of improving safety. Employees are encouraged to report hazards or unsafe conditions, even if no incident has occurred, so that preventive measures can be taken.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise that the physical nature of removal work requires appropriate fitness, alertness and wellbeing. Staff are expected to present themselves fit for duty, not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and to inform management if they have any medical condition or temporary injury that could affect their ability to work safely.

Where necessary, we may adapt tasks, adjust workloads or reassign duties to ensure that work can be carried out without unacceptable risk. Adequate breaks and hydration are encouraged, particularly during periods of intense physical work or hot weather.

Continuous Improvement

Man with Van Soho is committed to the ongoing improvement of our health and safety performance. We periodically review this policy, our risk assessments and our working practices to ensure they remain effective and appropriate for our man and van and removal services. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and used to refine our approach, with the aim of delivering a safe, reliable and professional service at all times.