Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Frognal
Man with Van Frognal is committed to maintaining high standards of health, safety and welfare for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and delivering goods for domestic and commercial clients.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objective is to prevent injury, ill-health and damage to property arising from our work. We aim to:
Identify and control risks associated with lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and vehicle movements.
Provide safe systems of work and suitable equipment for removals and related services.
Ensure that all staff are trained and competent for the tasks they undertake.
Promote a culture where health and safety responsibilities are understood and respected by everyone.
Continually review and improve our arrangements in line with best practice and legal requirements.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man with Van Frognal accepts overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring effective health and safety management throughout the company. This includes:
Providing clear instructions, information and supervision to employees.
Ensuring that vehicles, tools and equipment are properly maintained, suitable for purpose and used safely.
Carrying out risk assessments for our main activities, including home and office moves, packing services and the transport of goods.
Allocating adequate resources to support safe working practices, training and protective equipment.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses so that lessons can be learned and improvements made.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including drivers, porters and support staff, share responsibility for health and safety. Every team member is expected to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work.
Follow company procedures, safe systems of work and site rules at all times.
Use vehicles, tools, lifting aids and protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Cooperate with managers and supervisors on health and safety matters, including attending training and briefings.
Report accidents, near misses, hazards or unsafe practices without delay so that corrective action can be taken.
Safe Handling, Lifting and Carrying
Manual handling is a key part of our removals work and presents a risk of injury if not managed properly. To minimise this risk we:
Provide manual handling training so staff understand safe lifting techniques and their physical limits.
Encourage the use of mechanical aids such as sack trucks, trolleys and lifting straps wherever practicable.
Plan removals to avoid unnecessary carrying, using suitable access points and arranging loads to reduce strain.
Ensure that heavier or awkward items are handled by sufficient numbers of staff or not moved manually where this would be unsafe.
Instruct employees to stop any activity they believe to be unsafe and to seek guidance from a supervisor.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are central to our service and must be operated safely to protect drivers, passengers, customers and other road users. We are committed to:
Maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing.
Ensuring that loads are distributed and secured so they cannot move in transit or pose a danger when doors are opened.
Requiring drivers to hold the appropriate driving licence and to follow road traffic laws and company driving rules.
Discouraging the use of mobile phones while driving, other than permitted hands-free equipment used responsibly.
Planning routes and schedules to reduce time pressure and support safe, considerate driving.
Customer Premises and Site Safety
Our teams regularly work in customers homes, offices and other premises. To manage risks in these environments we:
Assess access routes, stairways, lifts, corridors and loading areas before moving items.
Take steps to prevent slips, trips and falls by keeping pathways clear of packing materials and equipment.
Protect floors, walls, doors and fixtures where necessary to minimise damage and hazards.
Coordinate with customers or site representatives to comply with any local safety rules or restrictions.
Ensure that children, pets and other occupants are kept away from loading areas where practical.
Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment
Suitable equipment and protection are essential to safe removals work. Man with Van Frognal will:
Provide appropriate moving equipment such as blankets, straps, dollies and ramps.
Inspect and maintain equipment to ensure it remains safe and fit for use.
Issue personal protective equipment where required, for example gloves or safety footwear, and ensure it is used correctly.
Remove from service and replace any damaged or unsuitable equipment promptly.
Training, Information and Supervision
We recognise that effective training and supervision are vital for health and safety. Accordingly, we:
Provide new starters with an introduction to our health and safety procedures and expectations.
Offer ongoing training on manual handling, vehicle safety, equipment use and emergency procedures.
Ensure that less experienced staff are supervised by competent and trained team members.
Keep records of training and regularly review needs as roles and services develop.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
Man with Van Frognal requires that all accidents, incidents and near misses associated with our work are reported as soon as possible. This allows us to:
Provide or arrange prompt first aid and medical assistance where required.
Record details to meet legal obligations and support any necessary investigations.
Identify root causes and introduce measures to prevent a recurrence.
Review emergency arrangements for issues such as fire, vehicle breakdown or injury at work locations.
Monitoring, Review and Policy Updates
We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety management. This policy and our supporting procedures will be reviewed regularly and updated where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, company activities or identified risks.
All employees will be informed of significant changes and are encouraged to contribute ideas for improving health and safety in our removals and transport services.
This Health and Safety Policy applies to all operations carried out by Man with Van Frognal and forms an integral part of how we deliver a reliable and responsible removal service.
