Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Gallows Corner
Man with Van Gallows Corner is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with domestic and commercial moves, packing, loading, unloading and related services.
Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption to customer premises and public areas. We aim to:
Identify, assess and control risks arising from our removal activities. Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and working methods. Ensure all personnel are trained and competent for the tasks they perform. Promote a positive safety culture where concerns are reported and addressed promptly. Review and improve our health and safety performance on a regular basis.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Man with Van Gallows Corner holds overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this policy. Management will:
Plan removal work with safety as a core requirement, including adequate time and resources for each job. Carry out or arrange suitable and sufficient risk assessments for typical and non‑routine tasks. Ensure that vehicles, trolleys, lifting aids and protective equipment are properly maintained and fit for purpose. Provide clear instructions, information and training to staff on safe working procedures. Monitor compliance with this policy and take corrective action where required.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular contractors share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Every worker must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow the training and guidance provided and cooperate with management on health and safety matters. Use vehicles, equipment, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Refrain from horseplay or unsafe behaviour that could create risks during removal operations. Report incidents, near misses, hazards and injuries as soon as possible so that they can be investigated and addressed.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We assess risks associated with lifting and carrying, working in confined or shared spaces, operating on streets and driveways, using stairways, and moving large or heavy items. For each removal job we consider:
Access routes, including stairs, corridors and doorways. Floor conditions, lighting, parking and loading arrangements. The weight, shape and fragility of items to be moved. Any specific customer site rules or restrictions. From these assessments we develop safe systems of work, including the number of staff required, suitable lifting aids, and any protective measures needed to safeguard the public and property.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling presents a significant risk in the removals industry. To reduce the likelihood of strains, sprains and long term injury, we will:
Provide training on correct lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifting for awkward loads. Plan jobs to avoid unnecessary carrying over long distances where practical. Make use of trolleys, dollies and other aids to move heavy items safely. Set realistic limits on what can be lifted by one person and insist on assistance where required. Encourage staff to stop and reassess any lift that feels unsafe or beyond their capability.
Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are central to our removal services and must be operated safely at all times. We will:
Ensure drivers are competent, appropriately licensed and familiar with the vehicles they use. Carry out regular checks and maintenance on vans, including tyres, brakes, lights and securing points. Require pre use vehicle checks at the start of each working day or shift. Insist on safe loading and securing of goods to prevent movement in transit. Promote safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, rest breaks and defensive driving techniques. Prohibit the use of mobile phones while driving, other than approved hands free controls where legally permitted.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Many moves take place in residential streets, shared access areas and busy commercial locations. To protect customers, neighbours and the public we will:
Plan parking, loading and unloading to minimise obstruction and trip hazards. Use warning signs or verbal communication where work may temporarily affect access routes. Keep walkways free from loose packing materials, tools and trailing straps or leads. Take care to avoid damage to walls, doors, floors and fixtures, and report any accidental damage without delay. Manage noise and disturbance as far as reasonably practicable, especially in residential areas.
Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment
Where appropriate for the task, staff may be provided with items such as protective gloves, safety footwear or other personal protective equipment. We will:
Ensure equipment and tools used for removals are suitable, inspected and properly maintained. Provide guidance on when protective equipment should be worn. Replace damaged or worn items promptly. Require staff to use the protective equipment provided where a risk assessment identifies it as necessary.
Training, Information and Supervision
Training is essential to effective health and safety management in removal operations. Man with Van Gallows Corner will:
Provide induction training for all new staff on our policies, emergency procedures and safe working practices. Offer practical instruction on lifting, carrying, vehicle loading and the use of handling equipment. Give ongoing refresher training where required and when tasks or equipment change. Supervise less experienced staff until they are competent to work more independently.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and hazardous occurrences must be reported to management at the earliest opportunity. We will:
Record incidents and investigate them to identify causes and necessary improvements. Ensure that appropriate first aid equipment is available in vehicles or at the work location. Provide staff with information on what to do in the event of fire, injury, sudden illness or road traffic incidents. Cooperate with any relevant authorities where reporting is required by law.
Review of Policy
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically and when significant changes occur in our activities, equipment or legal requirements. We are committed to continuous improvement, listening to feedback from staff and customers, and making reasonable adjustments to enhance safety in all aspects of our removal services.
By following this policy, Man with Van Gallows Corner aims to deliver efficient, reliable removal services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved.
