Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Waterloo Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Waterloo is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy explains how we manage risks associated with removals, deliveries and related transport services, and how we aim to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We recognise that professional removal and transport work involves manual handling, driving, loading, unloading and working in a wide variety of environments. We are committed to planning and conducting all activities so that health and safety is a core consideration, not an afterthought.

We will, as far as is reasonably practicable, provide safe systems of work, suitable equipment, and appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision. We will continually seek to improve our performance and to meet or exceed applicable health and safety requirements relevant to our operations.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that health and safety standards are integrated into everyday business activities. This includes:

Carrying out and reviewing risk assessments for removal and delivery tasks. Providing and maintaining safe vehicles, equipment and tools in good working condition. Ensuring that employees are trained and competent to perform their roles safely. Monitoring health and safety performance and taking corrective action where required. Encouraging open reporting of accidents, incidents, near misses and safety concerns.

Managers and supervisors are expected to lead by example, promote a positive safety culture and make sure that operational decisions reflect our commitment to safe working practices.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee, driver and operative working for or on behalf of Man With a Van Waterloo has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided. Use vehicles, lifting equipment and protective gear correctly and responsibly. Report any hazards, unsafe conditions, defects, accidents or near misses without delay. Avoid taking shortcuts that could compromise safety or damage property. Co operate with management in implementing this policy and improving safety standards.

Where agency workers or subcontractors are engaged, they are required to comply fully with this policy and any site specific rules communicated to them.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We conduct regular risk assessments covering our typical removal and delivery activities, including domestic moves, office relocations, furniture transport and light commercial work. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, working in stairwells and confined spaces, traffic and parking, and weather related risks.

From these assessments, safe systems of work are developed and communicated to staff. This may include planning lifting techniques, using additional operatives where necessary, selecting appropriate handling aids such as trolleys, and coordinating access routes to minimise risk to the public and property.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our business and a major focus of our health and safety management. To reduce the risk of strain, sprain and other injuries:

All staff receive guidance on correct lifting and carrying techniques. Loads are assessed for weight, shape and stability before being moved. Heavy or awkward items are lifted by teams of operatives where required. Handling equipment such as dollies, sack trucks and straps is used where appropriate. Staff are instructed not to lift items they believe are beyond their capability and to seek assistance.

We aim to plan moves in a way that minimises unnecessary carrying distances and avoids hazardous routes wherever practicable.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our drivers and vehicles play a central role in the safe delivery of services. To support safe driving and loading practices, we ensure that:

Vehicles are maintained, inspected and serviced at appropriate intervals. Loads are distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit. Drivers are instructed to comply with traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations. Routes are planned with consideration for access, restrictions and safe loading points. Drivers are expected to report any vehicle defects or collisions immediately.

Safe driving behaviour, including avoiding distraction and fatigue, is an essential condition of working for Man With a Van Waterloo.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams often work in and around homes, offices, shared buildings and public spaces. We take care to protect customers, neighbours and members of the public by:

Assessing access routes, staircases, corridors and entrances before work begins. Using safe techniques to move items through tight spaces to avoid injury and damage. Keeping walkways as clear as reasonably possible and managing trip hazards. Communicating with customers about any short term restrictions we may need to apply, such as keeping doors clear or limiting access to certain areas during lifting operations.

We aim to complete work efficiently while maintaining appropriate control measures to protect people and property.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide our staff with suitable training to carry out their duties safely. This may include induction training on company procedures, manual handling techniques, vehicle safety, use of lifting aids and customer care in relation to safety. Ongoing instruction and refresher guidance are provided where roles or risks change.

Supervisors and experienced team members provide on the job guidance, particularly for newer staff, to ensure that safe methods are followed and that any concerns are addressed promptly.

Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work related ill health must be reported to management as soon as practicable. Reports are recorded, investigated and reviewed to identify root causes and to implement improvements that reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Lessons learned from incidents are shared with relevant staff, and safe working practices may be updated as a result.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We recognise that effective health and safety management is an ongoing process. We encourage employees to raise suggestions and concerns about safety, and we take these seriously. Regular reviews of this policy, our risk assessments and our working methods are carried out to ensure that they remain suitable and effective for the types of removal and transport services we provide.

By working together and maintaining a strong safety culture, Man With a Van Waterloo aims to deliver reliable removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our operations.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, the scale of our operations or relevant health and safety requirements. The updated policy is communicated to staff and made available to customers and other interested parties on request.