Man with Van Sutton Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Sutton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks, preventing accidents and protecting people and property during all moving, loading, unloading and transport operations.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We recognise that professional removals and man and van services involve manual handling, vehicle movements and work in varied environments such as homes, offices, flats and storage facilities. We therefore take a proactive approach to identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing sensible safety controls.

Management is responsible for ensuring that adequate resources, training and supervision are provided so that health and safety standards are maintained and continually improved. Every member of staff is expected to cooperate with these arrangements and to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others.

Roles and Responsibilities

Management will:

Plan and organise removal work so it can be carried out safely and efficiently. Ensure vehicles and equipment are suitable for their intended use and properly maintained. Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to help staff work safely. Review this policy regularly and update procedures in line with best practice and relevant health and safety guidance.

Employees and contractors will:

Follow all safety procedures and instructions given during training and briefings. Use vehicles, tools and equipment correctly and report any defects without delay. Wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment where required. Report accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards so that corrective action can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting a move, we assess the working environment, access routes and the nature of items to be moved. Particular attention is paid to stairs, narrow hallways, parking arrangements, long carries, fragile or high value items and heavy or awkward loads.

Where risks are identified, we implement appropriate control measures. These may include allocating additional staff, adjusting the route, using handling aids such as trolleys or sliders, or rearranging the order in which items are moved. Our teams are instructed never to proceed with an activity they consider unsafe and to seek guidance where necessary.

Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and is managed carefully. Our staff receive guidance on safe lifting techniques, including assessing the weight and shape of loads, lifting close to the body, keeping the back straight and avoiding twisting movements.

Heavy or bulky items such as furniture, appliances and large boxes are lifted by two or more people whenever required. Staff are encouraged to break down loads into smaller, more manageable parts if possible, and to use mechanical aids when available. No one is asked to lift more than they can safely handle, and they are empowered to refuse any lift they believe could cause injury.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks of brakes, tyres, lights, mirrors, securing points and loading areas. Drivers hold the appropriate licences and are expected to follow all road traffic laws, including speed limits, parking rules and restrictions around loading and unloading.

Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring stability of the vehicle. Access ramps and tail lifts, where fitted, are operated according to manufacturer instructions. Drivers are required to plan routes that minimise risk, allow sufficient time and consider local traffic conditions to reduce stress and fatigue.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer premises or in communal areas, we take care to protect floors, walls, doors and fixtures using suitable coverings, pads or other protective measures where appropriate. Items are stacked and staged in a way that avoids blocking exits, stairwells or walkways.

Staff are instructed to maintain clear access routes and to be mindful of residents, building users and members of the public. We aim to keep noise, obstruction and disruption to a minimum. If loading or unloading on or near a roadway, we exercise extra caution, use hazard lights where necessary and position vehicles to reduce risk to pedestrians and other road users.

Equipment, Tools and Protective Measures

We use equipment suitable for removal work, which may include trolleys, dollies, straps, blankets and similar aids. All such equipment is inspected and used in line with training and guidance. Defective items are removed from service and replaced or repaired as required.

Where particular risks are identified, staff may use personal protective equipment such as gloves or safety footwear. The need for such equipment is determined by the nature of the job, the items being moved and the conditions at the site.

Training, Information and Supervision

All team members receive induction information covering health and safety expectations, safe driving, manual handling, care for customer property and conduct at customers premises. Where necessary, additional instruction is provided to new staff members and to those carrying out higher risk tasks.

Supervision levels are appropriate to the experience and competence of staff and the complexity of the move. Site briefings are used to highlight specific hazards such as difficult access, uneven surfaces, low ceilings or restricted parking.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

Any accident, injury, near miss or damage incident is taken seriously. Staff are required to report these events as soon as practicable, allowing us to investigate what happened and identify any improvements to our procedures, training or equipment.

We are committed to learning from experience and listening to feedback from customers and staff. This helps us refine our systems and maintain high health and safety standards across all moves, whether small local jobs or larger domestic and office relocations.

Review of this Policy

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains suitable, relevant and effective for the services offered by Man with Van Sutton. Changes in working practice, legal requirements or industry guidance will be reflected in updated procedures. Our aim is to continue providing reliable removal services while maintaining a strong culture of safety, care and responsibility in every aspect of our work.