Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Tufnell Park

Man with Van Tufnell Park is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure environment for our customers, staff and members of the public while carrying out removal and transportation services. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks, preventing accidents and ensuring that all work connected with our moving and delivery services is performed responsibly and in compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and best practice.

Our Commitment to Health and Safety

We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of everyone affected by our operations. Our aims are to prevent injury, protect property, and minimise disruption or risk during home and office moves. We place particular focus on safe lifting, handling of furniture and belongings, and the secure loading and unloading of our vehicles in residential streets and commercial areas.

Health and safety is viewed as an integral part of our service quality. All staff are expected to take responsibility for working safely and to support a culture where risks are identified early, reported promptly and controlled effectively.

Responsibilities and Management

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Tufnell Park rests with management, who ensure that appropriate arrangements, resources and supervision are in place. Management will:

Assess the main risks associated with removals work, including manual handling, use of vehicles, working in confined or shared spaces and dealing with uneven access or stairways.

Provide clear instructions, information and training to staff on safe working methods, including lifting techniques and vehicle safety.

Ensure that vehicles, equipment and protective gear are maintained in safe working order and suitable for the tasks undertaken.

Investigate accidents, near misses and incidents and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.

All employees and contractors working on behalf of Man with Van Tufnell Park are required to cooperate with this policy by following safety procedures, using equipment correctly, and immediately reporting hazards or concerns.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting any removal job, staff will consider the specific risks associated with the property, access routes and items to be moved. Where necessary, a more detailed risk assessment will be carried out to identify additional controls. Typical considerations include:

Access and egress, including narrow hallways, staircases, shared entrances and on-street loading positions.

Condition of floors, steps, pathways and any potential trip, slip or fall hazards.

Weight, size and fragility of items to be moved, and whether additional team members or equipment are needed.

Weather conditions and visibility when loading or unloading in outdoor areas.

Where risks are identified, appropriate control measures may include planning alternative routes, splitting loads into smaller, more manageable amounts, using trolleys or straps, and requesting customers to keep walkways clear.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal work, and poor lifting techniques can lead to serious injury. To minimise these risks, Man with Van Tufnell Park ensures that all staff are trained in safe lifting and carrying, and are instructed to:

Assess the item before lifting, including weight, size, grip and route to be taken.

Avoid lifting loads that are too heavy or awkward for one person, and use team lifts when required.

Use proper lifting posture, keeping the back straight, bending at the knees and using leg strength to raise the load.

Keep loads close to the body and avoid twisting or sudden movements while carrying.

Make use of appropriate equipment such as dollies, trolleys, blankets and straps to support safer handling.

Vehicle Safety and Loading

Our vehicles are central to our removal services and are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Drivers and removal staff must follow all traffic regulations and work in a way that protects themselves and others in busy residential and commercial streets.

When loading and unloading, staff will:

Park in a safe, legal and considerate manner, avoiding unnecessary obstruction of roads, walkways or entrances.

Use hazard lights where appropriate to alert other road users during short loading operations.

Secure all items within the vehicle using straps, ties and appropriate stacking methods to prevent movement during transit.

Distribute weight evenly within the vehicle to maintain stability and braking performance.

Check doors, tailgates and ramps are fully secured before moving off.

Protection of Customers and Public

We are committed to carrying out our work with minimal disruption and risk to customers, neighbours and the public. Our team will:

Maintain clear walkways by avoiding leaving items or equipment where they may pose a trip hazard.

Communicate with customers about any temporary safety issues, such as open doors, ramps or restricted access areas.

Take particular care in shared entrances, stairwells and communal spaces to avoid blocking escape routes.

Show respect for the property we are working in, using protective coverings where appropriate to reduce the risk of damage.

Training, Supervision and Competence

Man with Van Tufnell Park provides ongoing training and guidance to staff to ensure that they are competent to carry out their roles safely. Training may include manual handling, use of moving equipment, safe driving, incident reporting and customer handling. New team members work under supervision until they can demonstrate safe working practices.

Incident Reporting and Policy Review

All accidents, injuries, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported to management as soon as possible. This information is used to investigate causes, implement improvements and update risk assessments where necessary.

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable for the services we provide and the areas in which we operate. Updates may be made in response to changes in legislation, guidance, operational practice or following incident investigations.

By following this policy, Man with Van Tufnell Park aims to deliver a professional, reliable and safe removal service for every customer.