Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Hadley Wood
Man with Van Hadley Wood is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our customers, employees, contractors, and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risk during all removal, transport, loading, unloading, and associated services within our service area.
1. Policy Aims and Scope
This policy applies to all staff, operatives, and temporary workers engaged by Man with Van Hadley Wood, as well as to customers and visitors present at locations where we are working. Our aims are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and ensure that all work is completed safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption.
We recognise our duty to comply with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice for moving and handling goods, operating vehicles, and working on client premises.
2. Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective health and safety arrangements, including:
Carrying out and regularly reviewing risk assessments for removal and transport tasks.
Providing suitable equipment, vehicles, and protective gear for safe operations.
Ensuring staff receive appropriate training and supervision.
Monitoring compliance with this policy and taking corrective action where required.
Allocating sufficient time and resources for health and safety planning and improvements.
Managers will lead by example, promoting a positive safety culture in all aspects of the business.
3. Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Man with Van Hadley Wood has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must:
Follow the procedures and guidance set out in this policy and any associated instructions.
Use vehicles, tools, and lifting equipment only as trained and intended.
Report hazards, near misses, accidents, and damaged equipment without delay.
Wear appropriate clothing and any personal protective equipment provided.
Refrain from working under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that may impair performance.
Cooperation with health and safety instructions is a condition of employment.
4. Risk Assessment and Planning
Before each removal or transport job, appropriate planning and risk assessment will be carried out. This may include:
Assessing access routes, stairs, lifts, and parking or loading zones.
Identifying fragile, heavy, oversized, or hazardous items requiring special handling.
Considering weather conditions, lighting, and time constraints.
Determining the number of staff and type of vehicle and equipment required.
Where risks are identified, suitable control measures will be put in place, such as using additional operatives, dollies, straps, covers, or other handling devices, or adjusting methods of work to reduce risk.
5. Safe Handling and Lifting Practices
Manual handling is a core element of removal work, and safe techniques must always be used. Employees will:
Assess the weight and shape of items before moving them.
Use team lifts for heavy or awkward objects.
Keep loads close to the body and avoid twisting while lifting.
Make use of trolleys, skates, ramps, and other handling aids whenever possible.
Observe safe stacking practices in vehicles to prevent shifting loads.
Customers are advised not to attempt lifting heavy items themselves. Our teams are trained to manage these tasks safely.
6. Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Safe operation of vehicles is essential to our service. Drivers and operatives must:
Hold the appropriate driving licence and be medically fit to drive.
Carry out pre-use vehicle checks, including tyres, lights, mirrors, and securing points.
Drive in accordance with road traffic laws and speed limits.
Ensure loads are properly distributed and secured to prevent movement.
Avoid using mobile phones while driving, other than hands-free where legally permissible and safe.
Report any vehicle defects, incidents, or collisions immediately to management.
7. Working on Customer Premises
We recognise our responsibility to protect the safety of customers, their families, visitors, and neighbours when working on or near their property. Our staff will:
Introduce themselves on arrival and explain the planned work.
Identify potential hazards such as uneven surfaces, low ceilings, or narrow hallways.
Keep access routes as clear as possible and mark any temporary hazards where practicable.
Use floor protection and corner guards where needed to prevent damage and reduce slip risks.
Maintain professional behaviour and respect for the property at all times.
Customers are requested to keep children and pets away from working areas to minimise the risk of accidents.
8. Equipment, Tools, and Personal Protective Equipment
All tools, lifting gear, and protective equipment must be inspected regularly and used only for their intended purpose. Man with Van Hadley Wood will:
Provide suitable equipment such as moving blankets, straps, ramps, and trolleys.
Maintain and replace equipment as needed to keep it in safe working condition.
Issue personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear and gloves, where risks justify its use.
Staff must not use damaged or defective equipment and must report any such issues promptly.
9. Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses, or damage to property must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to:
Provide or arrange appropriate medical assistance where needed.
Investigate the cause of the incident.
Implement measures to prevent recurrence.
In the event of fire, major injury, or other emergencies on site, staff will follow local emergency arrangements, including evacuation procedures and contacting emergency services when required.
10. Training, Consultation, and Policy Review
We are committed to continual improvement in health and safety. To support this, Man with Van Hadley Wood will:
Provide induction and ongoing training in manual handling, vehicle safety, and site awareness.
Consult with employees about health and safety concerns and encourage suggestions for improvements.
Review this policy regularly, and whenever there are changes in legislation, business activities, or significant incidents.
This Health and Safety Policy is communicated to all employees and made available to customers upon request. Everyone involved in our operations is expected to support and uphold the standards described in this document.
