Health and Safety policy
Man with Van Wapping Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety policy sets out how Man with Van Wapping manages the safety and wellbeing of our customers, employees, contractors and members of the public during all removal and transportation activities. We are committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety across every move, from small residential jobs to larger commercial relocations.
Policy Statement
Man with Van Wapping aims to provide a professional and safe removal service at all times. We recognise our duty to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and to follow industry best practice. We take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption during the course of our work.
Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver removal services. Management and staff share responsibility for creating a safe working environment and for continually improving our standards.
Responsibilities and Management
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that appropriate procedures, resources and training are in place. Management will:
Plan work with safety as a core requirement, not an add-on.
Provide staff with the information, instruction and supervision they need to work safely.
Review health and safety performance periodically and update procedures when required.
Investigate incidents and near misses and act to prevent recurrence.
Employees and contractors also have responsibilities. All workers engaged by Man with Van Wapping are expected to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others.
Follow all safe working procedures, risk assessments and instructions.
Use equipment properly and report any defects immediately.
Report accidents, near misses and hazards without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before starting removal work, Man with Van Wapping carries out appropriate risk assessment for each job, taking into account the type of property, access routes, items to be moved, vehicle positioning and any specific client requirements. Where needed, we will adapt our methods to control particular risks, such as narrow staircases, heavy or bulky items, fragile goods or shared spaces.
Safe working procedures are used for manual handling, loading and unloading, route planning and on-site conduct. These procedures are reviewed to reflect experience, changes in legislation and feedback from our teams and customers.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling presents one of the greatest risks in the removals sector. To manage this, Man with Van Wapping:
Provides guidance and instruction on safe lifting techniques, team lifting and the use of lifting aids.
Encourages staff to assess each lift, considering weight, shape, grip and route before moving items.
Uses appropriate equipment where possible, such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets, and ensures these are in good condition.
Does not expect or permit staff to carry out lifts that are beyond their physical capabilities or that present unreasonable risk.
All equipment used in the course of removal work is maintained and checked regularly to ensure it remains safe and suitable for its intended purpose.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to the service we provide. Man with Van Wapping maintains its vans in a roadworthy condition and ensures that drivers hold the appropriate licence and are competent to operate the vehicles assigned to them.
We require all drivers to:
Carry out basic pre-use checks on vehicles and report defects promptly.
Secure loads correctly to prevent movement during transit and avoid overloading.
Drive considerately and in accordance with road traffic law and local conditions.
Plan routes to minimise risk, taking account of height and weight restrictions, traffic and access issues.
Customer and Public Safety
Man with Van Wapping is committed to protecting customers and members of the public during our operations. We aim to keep access routes clear, reduce trip hazards such as loose packaging, and manage vehicle movements carefully around homes, residential streets and business premises.
Where work is carried out in shared spaces such as communal corridors or car parks, our team will organise loading and unloading to minimise obstruction and will give appropriate verbal warnings when carrying large or awkward items.
Working Environment and Welfare
We recognise the importance of a safe and healthy working environment. Staff are encouraged to take reasonable rest breaks and to remain hydrated, particularly when working on physically demanding moves or in hot or cold conditions.
Suitable clothing and footwear must be worn at all times when carrying out removals, including sturdy closed-toe footwear and any additional protective equipment specified in our procedures or risk assessments.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man with Van Wapping provides appropriate induction and ongoing instruction in health and safety matters relevant to removal work. Training may include manual handling principles, safe use of equipment, vehicle loading, and incident reporting.
Where new team members are engaged, they may be supervised more closely until they demonstrate the required level of competence. Information on company procedures and expectations is made available and updated when necessary.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, significant near misses and damage to property that occur during our work must be reported to management as soon as practicable. Reports are reviewed so that underlying causes can be identified and corrective actions implemented.
Staff are briefed on the importance of maintaining access for emergency services when positioning vehicles and planning work. In the event of an emergency, personal safety and the safety of others always take priority over property and goods.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Man with Van Wapping is committed to the ongoing review and improvement of this Health and Safety policy. We take into account changes in applicable legislation, developments in best practice, feedback from customers and staff, and lessons learned from any incidents.
This policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there is a significant change to our operations or legal requirements. Updated versions are communicated to all staff and made available to customers upon request.
By following this Health and Safety policy, Man with Van Wapping seeks to deliver efficient, reliable and safe removal services for all clients within our service area.
