Man with Van Longford Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Longford 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 removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to identifying, managing, and controlling risks associated with moving, loading, transporting, and unloading goods.

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by maintaining high standards of safety, planning our work carefully, and continually reviewing and improving our arrangements.

Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all operations carried out by Man with Van Longford, including domestic and commercial removals, packing, loading and unloading of vehicles, transportation of goods, and any ancillary services provided in connection with our man and van operations.

Management Responsibilities

Management has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining effective health and safety arrangements. This includes:

Ensuring that health and safety is an integral part of planning and delivering our removal services. Providing appropriate resources to identify hazards and manage risks. Setting clear safety standards and ensuring that employees are aware of their responsibilities. Reviewing this policy on a regular basis and updating it when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, or our work activities. Investigating incidents and near misses to identify root causes and introduce corrective actions.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors working on behalf of Man with Van Longford are required to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all training, safe systems of work, and instructions provided by management. Use vehicles, lifting equipment, and work equipment safely and as intended. Report any hazards, defects, near misses, accidents, or unsafe practices to management without delay. Wear suitable clothing and any required personal protective equipment for the tasks they are carrying out.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will identify and assess risks associated with our removal activities and put in place proportionate control measures. This includes:

Carrying out risk assessments for typical tasks such as lifting and carrying items, working in confined or awkward spaces, and handling fragile, heavy, or bulky goods. Considering risks arising from access routes, stairs, uneven ground, and parking locations at collection and delivery addresses. Developing safe systems of work for loading and unloading vehicles, securing loads, and transporting goods. Providing information to employees about identified risks and the control measures they must follow.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Safe manual handling is central to our work and our health and safety standards. Man with Van Longford will:

Provide guidance and instruction on correct lifting techniques and team lifts. Encourage the use of mechanical aids, trolleys, and equipment where reasonably practicable. Plan jobs to minimise unnecessary carrying distances, awkward lifts, and lifting above shoulder height. Avoid asking any employee to lift items that are excessively heavy, unstable, or unsafe to move without additional assistance or equipment.

Vehicle Safety and Load Security

Our vehicles are an essential part of our operations and must be used safely at all times. We will:

Ensure that vehicles used for removals are maintained in a roadworthy condition with regular checks and servicing. Require drivers to carry out basic pre-use checks and report any defects immediately. Train staff in safe driving and parking practices in residential and commercial environments. Ensure loads are evenly distributed, adequately secured, and protected to prevent movement or damage during transit. Avoid overloading vehicles beyond their safe working limits.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our duty to protect customers, visitors, and the general public from risks arising from our work. To achieve this, we will:

Assess access routes and work areas at collection and delivery addresses to identify hazards. Use care when moving items in and out of properties to avoid damage, slips, trips, and falls. Keep work areas as clear and tidy as possible, with attention to trip hazards such as loose packing materials and tools. Take particular care where children, pets, or vulnerable persons are present and ensure they are kept away from moving loads and vehicle operations.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man with Van Longford is committed to ensuring that all staff have the knowledge and skills required to work safely. We will:

Provide suitable instruction and on-the-job training in manual handling, load security, and safe use of equipment. Ensure new starters receive an appropriate introduction to our health and safety arrangements. Offer refresher guidance where work practices or equipment change, or where additional support is required. Supervise less experienced staff and monitor working methods to confirm that safe practices are being followed.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All incidents are taken seriously and will be logged and reviewed where appropriate. Employees must report:

Any injuries, however minor, sustained while carrying out work activities. Near misses, unsafe conditions, and damage to property or vehicles that could have safety implications. Man with Van Longford will investigate incidents to identify trends and implement measures to prevent recurrence. Staff will be briefed on basic emergency arrangements, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, or other urgent situations while on a job or on the road.

Continuous Improvement

We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. This policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations or relevant legislation. Employee feedback, customer comments, and incident reports will be considered to improve our procedures and working methods.

By working together and following this Health and Safety Policy, Man with Van Longford aims to deliver reliable, efficient, and safe removal services throughout our service area while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our work.