Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Canary Wharf

Man With a Van Canary Wharf is committed to providing removal and transport services in a manner that safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of our customers, our employees, contractors, and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, and transporting goods.

We aim to maintain high health and safety standards at all times, whether working in residential properties, commercial premises, storage facilities, or on the road. Everyone involved in our work is expected to follow this policy and any associated procedures.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our key health and safety objectives are to:

Prevent injury and ill health arising from our removal and transport activities.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, and systems of work.
Ensure that staff are competent to carry out their tasks through information, instruction, and training.
Identify hazards, assess risks, and implement suitable control measures.
Consult with workers on matters affecting their health and safety.
Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice.

Responsibilities and Management

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management of Man With a Van Canary Wharf. Management is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, maintained, and reviewed regularly.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day implementation of health and safety procedures, including monitoring work practices, reporting hazards, and checking that suitable equipment is available and used correctly.

All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must:

Follow company safety instructions and procedures.
Use all equipment and personal protective equipment as instructed.
Report hazards, near misses, and incidents promptly.
Cooperate with management in all health and safety matters.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our key activities, including packing, lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, and driving. These risk assessments are used to develop safe systems of work and to guide staff training and planning for each job.

Before work begins at any property or site, staff are expected to:

Assess access routes, stairs, and loading points.
Identify fragile items, heavy items, and awkward loads.
Consider space restrictions, trip hazards, and other environmental factors.
Agree a safe plan for moving items, including team lifting where necessary.

Where the risks are considered high, the work will be reorganised, additional manpower or equipment will be used, or the task will not proceed until a safer method is available.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a major source of potential injury. To reduce this risk, Man With a Van Canary Wharf:

Provides instruction in safe lifting techniques and good handling posture.
Encourages the use of trolleys, dollies, straps, and other handling aids whenever practicable.
Requires team lifts for heavy or bulky items.
Discourages staff from attempting loads that are beyond their capability.
Plans routes to avoid unnecessary carrying and twisting movements.

Where appropriate, large or high-risk items may need additional specialised equipment or may be declined if a safe method cannot be identified.

Vehicles, Loading, and Road Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements. Pre-use checks are carried out by drivers, and any defects are reported immediately.

When loading vehicles, our staff will:

Distribute weight evenly and within approved limits.
Secure loads using straps and other restraints to prevent movement in transit.
Ensure that access doors are safely secured before driving.
Maintain clear driver visibility and safe access to exits.

Drivers are expected to obey speed limits and road traffic laws, allow extra time for journeys where necessary, and drive with consideration for weather, traffic, and local conditions.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our duty of care to customers, neighbours, and the general public during removal operations. To protect others, we aim to:

Keep access routes as clear as reasonably possible.
Use safe parking positions for loading and unloading, minimising obstruction.
Warn customers and others in the vicinity of any particular hazards on the day of the move.
Handle property and belongings with care to prevent damage and associated risks such as breakages or spills.

Customers are encouraged to keep children and pets away from loading areas and stairways while work is in progress.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Man With a Van Canary Wharf provides equipment suitable for typical removal and transport tasks. This may include trolleys, skates, straps, blankets, ramps, and protective coverings.

Where necessary, personal protective equipment such as gloves or safety footwear is provided and must be used as instructed. All equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if defective.

Training, Communication, and Consultation

We provide our staff with information and training relevant to their role, including safe lifting, vehicle loading, use of equipment, and incident reporting procedures. Training is refreshed periodically and when new risks, equipment, or working methods are introduced.

Workers are encouraged to raise any health and safety concerns directly with management. Feedback from staff and customers is used to improve our procedures and standards.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and damage incidents that occur during removal operations or while driving on company business must be reported as soon as practicable. Incidents are recorded and investigated to determine causes and identify improvements.

Staff are briefed on emergency procedures relevant to their work, including what to do in case of fire, serious injury, or road traffic collision. Where work takes place in shared premises, staff will cooperate with the building's own emergency arrangements.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, services, or legal requirements. We are committed to continual improvement of our health and safety performance and to maintaining a safe environment for everyone involved in our removal services.

By instructing Man With a Van Canary Wharf, customers acknowledge our commitment to safe working practices and agree to cooperate with any reasonable safety measures needed on the day of service.