Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Lea Bridge

Man with Van Lea Bridge is committed to providing a safe, healthy working environment for our workers, customers, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery services. This Health and Safety policy sets out our general commitments and the practical measures we take to manage risks associated with moving, loading, transporting, and unloading goods.

We aim to conduct all activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health, and damage to property, while maintaining a professional and efficient removals service throughout our operating area.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We are committed to managing health and safety with the same importance as other business objectives. To support this commitment, we will:

Identify, assess, and control risks linked to our work, including lifting, carrying, driving, loading, and working in customers premises. Comply with all relevant health and safety laws and recognised best practice for the removals and transport sector. Provide information, instruction, and guidance to our workers so they can carry out their tasks safely. Supply suitable equipment and maintain vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition. Encourage open reporting of hazards, near misses, and incidents, and use this information to improve how we work. Review this policy regularly and update it when our operations, legislation, or best practice change.

Roles and Responsibilities

Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Everyone involved in our work must play their part in keeping themselves, colleagues, and customers safe.

Management is responsible for setting standards, providing resources, planning safe systems of work, and reviewing performance. They must ensure that workers understand this policy and follow the procedures that support it.

Workers, whether permanent, temporary, or subcontracted, must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow training and instructions, use equipment correctly, wear any provided protective equipment where necessary, and report hazards, accidents, or unsafe conditions without delay.

Customers are asked to support safe working by providing clear access to premises where possible, advising us in advance about any known hazards, and following the reasonable safety instructions given by our workers during the move.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before or on arrival at a job, we consider the specific risks present at the location. This includes access routes, stairs, parking positions, lifting requirements, and any special items such as fragile, heavy, or awkward loads. We then plan how to carry out the work safely, making adjustments as needed.

Where conditions change or unexpected hazards are identified, work may be paused while the situation is reassessed. No task is so urgent that it cannot be done safely.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is at the core of our removals work, and we take steps to reduce the risk of strain and injury. Our workers are instructed in safe lifting methods, including avoiding twisting movements, keeping loads close to the body, and seeking help with heavy or bulky items.

Where reasonable, we use equipment such as trolleys, dollies, or lifting aids to reduce manual handling risks. Workers are encouraged to speak up if an item is too heavy or awkward to move safely, and we will adjust our approach or staffing levels as needed.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

The safe operation of our vans is essential to protect drivers, passengers, customers, and other road users. Our vehicles are maintained on a regular basis and are inspected for obvious defects such as tyre condition, lights, and load security.

Drivers are expected to follow all road traffic rules, drive considerately, and allow sufficient time to complete journeys without rushing. Loads are secured appropriately to prevent movement during transit, and doors are checked before moving off.

Parking for loading and unloading is chosen to minimise risks to pedestrians and other vehicles where reasonably practicable. If safe parking cannot be achieved, the job may need to be reorganised or alternative arrangements made.

Protection of Customers and Property

We recognise our responsibility for the safety of customers, neighbours, and passers-by while we work. Our workers aim to keep routes clear, avoid creating trip hazards with equipment or packing materials, and communicate clearly when moving large items through confined spaces.

Care is taken to protect property and belongings from avoidable damage. This includes using appropriate handling techniques, planning the route of large items, and working as a team when manoeuvring furniture through tight entrances, stairways, or corridors.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Any equipment used in the course of our work is selected and maintained with safety in mind. Workers receive guidance on correct use to minimise the risk of injury or damage. When required by the task or conditions, we may provide personal protective equipment such as gloves or high-visibility clothing, and workers are expected to use it properly.

Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, and significant near misses that occur during our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. This allows us to investigate what happened, put corrective measures in place, and reduce the chance of similar events occurring in the future.

Where necessary, we will cooperate with insurers and relevant authorities and keep appropriate records of incidents and any resulting actions.

Health, Wellbeing, and Fitness for Work

We expect workers to be fit to carry out their duties safely. This includes attending work free from the influence of alcohol or illegal substances and informing management if they are taking medication or have a condition that may affect their ability to work or drive safely.

We promote reasonable working hours and rest breaks so that workers are not placed under undue physical strain or fatigue, particularly during busy periods or longer-distance moves.

Training, Communication, and Review

Health and safety expectations are communicated to workers during induction and through ongoing guidance. Where specific risks are identified, additional training or instruction may be provided.

This policy is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains relevant and effective for our removal services and operating area. Any significant changes to our working methods, vehicle fleet, or legislation will trigger an earlier review.

By following this Health and Safety policy, Man with Van Lea Bridge aims to provide a reliable and responsible removals service while protecting everyone involved in or affected by our work.