Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Gipsy Hill

Man with Van Gipsy Hill 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 activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading, transport and related services across our operating area.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting in place appropriate control measures. We aim to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice for removal and transport operations.

The management of Man with Van Gipsy Hill accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and is committed to continual improvement. We expect all staff, contractors and customers to cooperate with this policy and follow the safe systems of work that we set out.

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for:

Ensuring that this policy is implemented, communicated and reviewed. Providing appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision. Supplying and maintaining suitable vehicles, tools and equipment in a safe condition. Carrying out and recording risk assessments for our services. Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses and acting on findings.

Employees and contractors are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Following company procedures, training and instructions at all times. Using equipment correctly and not misusing or interfering with safety devices. Reporting hazards, defective equipment, near misses and incidents to management without delay.

Customers have a role to play by:

Providing accurate information about access, parking and any special risks at collection and delivery addresses. Keeping access routes, stairs and working areas reasonably clear and well lit. Supervising children and pets away from areas where lifting, carrying and loading are taking place. Complying with reasonable safety requests from our staff on site.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out ongoing risk assessments for our removal and man and van services. These assessments consider manual handling, access conditions, traffic and parking, use of equipment, weather and environmental factors, and any special risks associated with particular items or premises.

Based on these assessments, we implement safe working procedures, including limits on the size or weight of items that can be moved by a given number of staff, preferred lifting and carrying methods, and safe loading and securing of goods in vehicles. Where conditions on the day are significantly different from those described in advance, our staff may adjust the method of work or, where necessary, refuse unsafe tasks.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a major focus of our health and safety management. All staff receive instruction in safe lifting techniques, including team lifts, use of lifting aids and avoidance of unnecessary carrying.

We aim to:

Plan lifts in advance and clear routes before moving items. Use trolleys, skates, straps and other aids where practical. Avoid lifting items that exceed safe handling limits for the staff present. Take additional care on stairs, ramps, uneven surfaces and in confined spaces. Encourage staff to refuse lifts they consider unsafe and to request additional help or equipment when needed.

Customers are requested not to assist with heavy lifting unless agreed with our team leader and only where it can be done safely.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained and inspected regularly to ensure they are roadworthy and suitable for carrying goods safely. Loads are arranged and secured to prevent movement during transit, with particular care taken to protect both the goods and the driver.

Drivers are required to:

Hold the appropriate driving licence and follow all road traffic laws. Carry out basic pre-use checks on tyres, lights, mirrors and load security. Drive at safe speeds appropriate to road, traffic and weather conditions. Avoid distractions and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Take reasonable breaks to prevent fatigue on longer journeys.

We work with customers to plan safe parking and loading points, minimising the need for long carries and movement across busy roads wherever possible.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide suitable tools and equipment to support safe removals, including handling aids, protective blankets and securing devices. Equipment is used only by trained staff and is inspected regularly for damage or defects.

Where necessary, staff are provided with personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear and high-visibility clothing. Employees are required to use this equipment as instructed and to report any damage or loss immediately.

Household and Site Conditions

Safe working is influenced by conditions at collection and delivery addresses. To support health and safety for everyone on site, we request that customers:

Keep access ways clear of loose items, trip hazards and spillages before our arrival. Inform us in advance of any significant hazards such as unstable stairs, low ceilings, fragile floors or construction work. Ensure adequate lighting in hallways, stairwells and external access routes. Inform neighbours or other occupants where shared access is being used for removal work.

Our staff are authorised to stop work temporarily until hazards are removed or controlled. In extreme cases, we may rearrange the work if conditions cannot be made safe.

Hazardous Items and Restricted Goods

For safety reasons, we may decline to handle or transport certain hazardous or prohibited items. These may include flammable liquids, gas cylinders, chemicals, explosives, illegal substances or items that cannot be moved safely due to size, weight or condition.

Customers must inform us in advance of any unusual or potentially hazardous items they wish to move so that we can assess the risk and advise on appropriate arrangements.

Training, Supervision and Communication

We provide ongoing training and instruction to our staff covering manual handling, safe loading, vehicle safety, use of equipment and customer interaction on site. New staff are supervised and supported until they are competent to work independently.

Health and safety information is communicated through inductions, briefings and day-to-day instructions from supervisors and managers. We encourage open reporting of hazards and suggestions for improving safety.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and vehicle incidents involving our staff or vehicles must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. We record and review these events to identify causes and prevent recurrence.

In the event of an emergency on site, our staff will prioritise the safety of people before property. This may include suspending work, making the area safe, contacting emergency services and following any local emergency procedures.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed periodically and when significant changes occur in our operations, legislation or industry practice. Updated versions will be communicated to staff and will replace any previous health and safety statements issued by Man with Van Gipsy Hill.