Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Stratford Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Stratford is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public affected by our removal operations. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods for residential and commercial clients.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and minimise disruption and risk during all removals. We aim to identify hazards in advance, implement appropriate control measures, provide suitable training and supervise work so that removals are completed safely and efficiently.

Every employee has a responsibility to work safely, follow instructions, and report hazards or incidents immediately. Management is responsible for providing the leadership, resources and monitoring necessary to maintain and improve health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Stratford will:

Ensure compliance with all applicable health and safety legislation relevant to transport, removals and manual handling activities. Maintain this policy and review it regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with best practice for the removal sector. Conduct and record suitable risk assessments for typical jobs, including residential moves, office relocations and item collections or deliveries. Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and tools that are fit for purpose and inspected at appropriate intervals. Ensure all employees receive training, information and supervision relevant to their role, including manual handling, safe loading and unloading, and use of removal equipment. Investigate accidents, near misses and complaints thoroughly to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, including drivers and porters, are required to:

Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions. Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided. Use equipment, tools and vehicles only as trained and intended. Wear any personal protective equipment supplied where required by risk assessment. Report hazards, unsafe conditions, vehicle defects, injuries or near misses to management as soon as practicable. Refrain from unsafe practices such as overloading, unsafe lifting or riding in areas of the vehicle not designed for passengers.

Risk Assessment and Safe System of Work

Before each removal job, our team considers the specific risks associated with the property, access routes, items to be moved and the surrounding environment. This includes evaluating stairways, lifts, parking, loading points, traffic conditions and potential obstacles. Where necessary, a site visit or more detailed assessment will be carried out in advance.

We use safe systems of work based on these assessments, such as planning the order in which items are moved, assigning team roles, using equipment like trolleys and ramps, and agreeing safe communication methods between team members during lifting and manoeuvring.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is managed with particular care. Our policy is to avoid or reduce manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable by planning loads, using handling aids and splitting items when safe to do so.

Employees receive instruction in safe lifting techniques, including assessing the weight and balance of items, maintaining good posture, avoiding twisting, and working as a team for heavier or awkward loads. Where loads are too heavy, unstable or unsafe to move manually, mechanical aids or additional manpower will be used.

Vehicles, Loading and Transportation

All vehicles used by Man with Van Stratford are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Drivers carry out routine checks on tyres, lights, securing points, ramps and other relevant components. Defects are reported immediately and the vehicle is not used if safety could be compromised.

Items are loaded and secured to prevent movement and damage during transit. Loads are distributed evenly to maintain stability and are secured using straps and other restraining devices where appropriate. The maximum permitted payload of each vehicle is never exceeded. Doors, ramps and tailgates are operated according to training, ensuring that no one stands in risk zones where they could be struck or trapped.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the public and protect property at customer locations and in the wider area where we are operating. Our teams plan access routes to reduce obstruction to entrances, pavements and shared spaces. Where necessary, warning signs or cones may be used to alert people to loading and unloading activities.

Care is taken to protect floors, walls, fixtures and fittings using covers and padding where appropriate. Our teams are instructed to be courteous, keep work areas tidy, and clear any packing materials or debris arising from our work to minimise slip and trip risks.

Use of Equipment

Equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, dollies, straps, blankets and ramps is selected based on job requirements and is maintained in good condition. Employees must check equipment before use and must not use any item that appears damaged or defective.

Only trained personnel may use specific equipment, and all equipment must be used in accordance with instructions and within stated load limits. Improvised or unsafe methods of lifting or moving items are strictly prohibited.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Stratford provides initial and ongoing training so that employees understand this policy and the safe methods required in their daily work. Training may include manual handling, vehicle safety, equipment use, risk awareness, incident reporting and customer care in relation to safety.

Supervisors and senior team members monitor adherence to safe practices on site. Where unsafe behaviour or methods are observed, corrective guidance is provided immediately and, if necessary, further training or formal action is taken.

Health, Welfare and Fitness to Work

We expect employees to present themselves fit for work and able to carry out removal tasks safely. Working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that impairs judgment or physical ability is not tolerated. Employees must inform management if they have any medical condition or injury that could affect their ability to work safely, so that duties can be adjusted where appropriate.

Reasonable arrangements are made for breaks, access to drinking water and welfare needs during longer jobs, to help maintain concentration and avoid fatigue-related incidents.

Incident Reporting and Policy Review

All accidents, injuries, near misses and property damage incidents associated with our work are reported and recorded. We use this information to identify trends, improve procedures and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation or industry guidance. Updates are communicated to employees, who are expected to familiarise themselves with any changes. Our goal is continuous improvement in safety standards across all removal services we provide.