Man With a Van Bickley Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Bickley is committed to providing a removal and transport service that is safe, reliable and professionally managed. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the standards and procedures we follow to protect our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public while our services are being delivered.

Policy Statement

Our policy is to conduct all removal, collection and delivery operations in a way that prevents injury, ill health and damage to property or the environment. We aim to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised good practice for the removals and light transport sector. Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning and daily operations.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Bickley is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes ensuring that adequate resources, information and training are provided and that safe systems of work are developed and monitored. Management will review this policy periodically and whenever there are significant changes in legislation, operations or identified risks.

Managers and supervisors are required to:

• Assess and control risks associated with removal and transport activities.
• Provide and maintain suitable vehicles, equipment and protective measures.
• Ensure staff understand and follow safe working procedures at all times.
• Investigate incidents and near-misses and act on the findings to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

Every member of staff 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 employees must:

• Follow the instructions and training provided for lifting, loading and driving.
• Use equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately.
• Co-operate with management on health and safety matters and participate in training.
• Report hazards, incidents, near-misses and unsafe practices without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Risk assessments are carried out for key tasks associated with our removal and man and van services, including loading and unloading, packing, handling large or fragile items, driving, parking and working at customers premises. The findings of these assessments guide the development of safe working procedures.

Safe systems of work are in place to address:

• Manual handling of furniture, appliances and boxes.
• Use of trolleys, straps and other handling equipment.
• Loading and securing items within vehicles to prevent movement in transit.
• Navigating staircases, narrow corridors and confined spaces.
• Parking, reversing and working on or near roads and driveways.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our removal operations and is a significant area of risk. Staff receive training in safe lifting techniques and are instructed to:

• Assess the weight, size and stability of items before attempting to move them.
• Use team lifting for heavy or awkward loads and not exceed individual capability.
• Use appropriate equipment such as sack trucks and moving straps where possible.
• Avoid twisting, overstretching or carrying loads over long distances without breaks.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are inspected regularly. Drivers are responsible for completing basic checks before use and reporting any defects. We promote safe driving practices to reduce the risk of collisions and injury.

Drivers and crew must:

• Hold the appropriate valid driving licence for the vehicle being used.
• Comply with road traffic laws and local traffic regulations at all times.
• Drive at safe speeds taking account of weather, road and traffic conditions.
• Ensure loads are secured so they cannot move or fall during transit.
• Plan routes to minimise unnecessary risks such as tight access or unsafe stopping points.

Customer and Public Safety

We take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors and members of the public while work is being carried out. This includes:

• Keeping access routes as clear as reasonably practicable.
• Using safe lifting techniques to reduce the risk of dropped items.
• Communicating clearly with customers about any access or safety constraints.
• Taking care when working near children, pets or vulnerable persons.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Where necessary, suitable handling equipment and personal protective equipment is provided, such as gloves, safety footwear and high-visibility garments. Staff are required to use this equipment correctly and report any loss or damage. All equipment is inspected and maintained periodically to ensure it remains safe for use.

Training, Information and Supervision

New employees receive an induction that covers key health and safety requirements relevant to removal work and van operations. Ongoing training is provided where tasks change or new risks are identified. Supervisors monitor working practices on jobs and correct unsafe behaviours promptly.

Information on safe working methods is communicated through briefings, written instructions and on-the-job guidance. Staff are encouraged to raise questions or concerns so that potential problems can be identified and resolved early.

Accidents, Incidents and Near-Misses

All accidents, injuries, damage to property and near-miss incidents that occur during our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. Appropriate records are kept and investigations carried out where necessary to determine causes and identify preventative measures. Lessons learned are shared with staff and, where required, safe systems of work are updated.

Monitoring and Review

Compliance with this Health and Safety Policy is monitored through supervision, vehicle and equipment checks, and review of incident reports and feedback. The policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant operational changes to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our man and van and removal services.

Policy Availability

This Health and Safety Policy is available to employees, customers and other interested parties on request. By using the services of Man With a Van Bickley, customers can be confident that health, safety and welfare are treated as core priorities in the planning and delivery of every job.