Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Barbican

Man With a Van Barbican is committed to providing a professional and safe removals service for customers, employees, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risk, preventing injury and protecting property during every stage of our moving and transport activities.

Our aim is to conduct all removal, loading, unloading and driving tasks in a way that minimises the likelihood of accidents, injuries and damage. Health and safety is an integral part of how we operate and is considered in every planning and operational decision we make.

Policy Objectives

The main objectives of this Health and Safety Policy are to:

Identify and manage risks associated with removals, transportation and handling of goods.

Provide a safe working environment for our team and a safe service for our customers.

Ensure vehicles and equipment are suitable, maintained and used correctly.

Promote safe systems of work for lifting, carrying, loading and unloading.

Encourage continuous improvement in health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Barbican is responsible for implementing and reviewing this policy. This includes:

Ensuring that health and safety is embedded into planning for every removal job.

Providing appropriate information, instruction and guidance to workers.

Assessing risks for different types of moves, including domestic, commercial and long-distance jobs.

Ensuring that vehicles and equipment are regularly checked and maintained in safe working order.

Reviewing incidents, near-misses and feedback to improve safety practices.

Employee Responsibilities

Every member of the team has a duty to work safely and to look after their own health and safety, as well as that of colleagues, customers and the public. All workers are expected to:

Follow safe working procedures for lifting and moving items.

Use provided equipment and tools correctly and only for their intended purpose.

Immediately report any hazards, unsafe conditions, incidents or near-misses.

Wear appropriate clothing and footwear suitable for manual handling and moving work.

Drive vehicles responsibly and in accordance with road safety rules.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before each job, Man With a Van Barbican will consider the specific risks associated with the property, access routes, parking, item size and weight and any special handling requirements. Where appropriate, a risk assessment will be carried out that may include:

Access checks for stairs, narrow corridors, lifts and long carrying distances.

Identification of heavy, awkward or fragile items requiring special handling.

Assessment of potential hazards such as uneven surfaces, poor lighting or weather conditions.

Planning the number of staff, time allocation and equipment needed to perform the job safely.

This forward planning helps us to reduce manual handling risks, avoid damage to property and minimise disruption.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our removals work and is managed carefully. Our safe working practices include:

Using correct lifting techniques to protect backs and joints.

Avoiding lone lifting of large, heavy or awkward items by using team lifts.

Using lifting aids, trolleys and other equipment where suitable.

Breaking down loads into smaller, manageable parts where possible.

Positioning vehicles to minimise carrying distances where it is safe and legal to park.

We aim to reduce the risk of strain injuries and ensure that items are moved efficiently and safely.

Vehicles, Equipment and Maintenance

Our vehicles and equipment are central to the safe delivery of removal services. Man With a Van Barbican ensures that:

Vehicles are checked regularly for roadworthiness, including brakes, tyres, lights and securing points.

Loading areas are kept clean, tidy and free from unnecessary obstructions.

Straps, blankets, trolleys and other securing and protection equipment are maintained and replaced when worn.

Loads are distributed evenly and secured to avoid movement during transit.

Drivers are responsible for basic daily checks and reporting defects promptly.

Customer and Public Safety

The safety of customers, their property and members of the public is a priority in every move. To support this, we:

Plan access and parking to reduce risk to pedestrians and other road users.

Keep routes clear of trip hazards such as loose packaging or trailing straps.

Take care when moving large items through shared spaces, entrances and pavements.

Protect floors, walls and doorways where appropriate to reduce damage and hazards.

Communicate clearly with customers about timing, access and any safety considerations relevant to their move.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man With a Van Barbican provides basic training and guidance tailored to removal activities, including safe lifting methods, vehicle loading and hazard awareness. Less experienced workers operate under appropriate supervision until they are competent in safe working practices.

Information about specific risks or unusual items is shared among the team before and during each job to ensure everyone is aware of potential issues and how to handle them safely.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, damage and near-misses are taken seriously. We encourage prompt reporting so that causes can be identified and measures taken to prevent recurrence. This may include updating risk assessments, revising procedures, providing further guidance or adjusting equipment and staffing levels.

We are committed to learning from experience and continuously improving our Health and Safety arrangements to reflect changes in our services, equipment and operating environment.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically to ensure that it remains relevant to the removals services provided by Man With a Van Barbican and reflects current operational practices. Revisions may be made following significant changes to our activities, introduction of new equipment or in response to incidents or feedback.

By working together and following this policy, Man With a Van Barbican aims to deliver safe, reliable and responsible removal services for all customers in our service area.