Health and Safety policy
Man with Van Shirley Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety policy sets out how Man with Van Shirley manages the safety and wellbeing of our customers, the public, our team members and anyone else affected by our removals and transport activities. Our services involve handling, loading and transporting furniture, boxes, appliances and other household or office items. We recognise the potential risks associated with this type of work and are committed to operating in a safe, responsible and legally compliant manner at all times.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
Man with Van Shirley is committed to providing a safe working environment and to preventing accidents, injuries and damage to property during every move. Health and Safety is an integral part of our planning and delivery of removal services, from small local moves to larger or more complex jobs. We aim to identify and control risks at each stage of the process, including packing, lifting, loading, transport, unloading and placement of items at the destination.
We will regularly review and improve our Health and Safety arrangements to ensure they remain suitable, effective and aligned with current regulations and best practice for the removals industry.
Responsibilities and Management
Overall responsibility for Health and Safety within Man with Van Shirley rests with the company management, who ensure that adequate resources, time and training are provided to implement this policy. Management is responsible for communicating clear safety expectations, monitoring performance and responding to any incidents or concerns that arise during removal operations.
All workers, including drivers and porters, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own Health and Safety and that of others. They must follow safe working procedures, cooperate with instructions, use equipment correctly and report any hazards, near misses or incidents promptly so that corrective action can be taken.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before starting any removal job, we evaluate the tasks and locations involved to identify potential hazards. This may include narrow staircases, restricted access, heavy or awkward items, parking limitations, traffic conditions or adverse weather. Where necessary, a more detailed risk assessment will be carried out and control measures agreed.
Safe working practices are followed to manage identified risks, such as choosing appropriate lifting techniques, using suitable handling equipment, planning the loading sequence, and agreeing clear communication between team members. We will not proceed with activities that present unacceptable risk and may adjust the job plan where conditions on site change or new hazards are discovered.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and presents a significant risk of strain or injury if not carried out correctly. Man with Van Shirley is committed to reducing manual handling risks by using appropriate equipment wherever reasonably practicable, such as sack trucks, trolleys, moving straps and blankets.
Team members are trained in safe lifting techniques, including assessing the weight and shape of items, lifting in pairs when necessary, avoiding twisting motions, and taking rest breaks to prevent fatigue. Items that are excessively heavy, fragile or high value are assessed individually to determine the safest method of moving them, which may include disassembly, protective wrapping or additional manpower.
Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety
Our vehicles are essential to our removals business and are maintained in a roadworthy condition in line with legal requirements and manufacturer guidance. Regular checks are made on tyres, lights, brakes, securing points and other safety-related components. Any defects that could affect safe operation are addressed prior to the vehicle being used for work.
Drivers are expected to hold the appropriate licence, to follow all road traffic laws and to drive safely with consideration for other road users. Loads must be properly secured using straps and other restraints to prevent movement during transit. Drivers are required to plan routes sensibly, account for traffic and weather conditions, and avoid driving when fatigued or unfit.
Customer, Public and Property Protection
We recognise our responsibility to protect our customers, members of the public and their property while we are working in homes, offices, communal areas and on the road. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent trip and slip hazards, avoiding obstruction of safe access routes, and using protective measures such as coverings or padding where appropriate.
Our team will work in a considerate manner, keeping work areas as tidy as reasonably possible, stacking items safely and ensuring that doors, corridors and pathways remain accessible for occupants and visitors. Where there is a need to move large or awkward items through shared spaces, we will coordinate with customers and others present to minimise disruption and risk.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man with Van Shirley provides suitable information and guidance to workers on the Health and Safety risks relevant to their role, together with instructions on safe systems of work. This includes induction for new team members and ongoing awareness of any changes to procedures or legislation that affect our operations.
Where particular skills are required, such as operating specific handling equipment or dealing with specialised items, additional instruction or supervision will be provided. Less experienced staff will be supported and supervised by more experienced colleagues until they are competent to work independently in a safe manner.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, injuries, near misses and significant incidents must be reported as soon as practicable so they can be recorded, investigated and addressed. The purpose of investigation is to understand root causes, learn from what happened and prevent recurrence, not to attribute blame. Corrective actions may include revising procedures, updating risk assessments, providing additional training or changing equipment or scheduling.
We encourage an open culture in which workers and customers can raise Health and Safety concerns without hesitation. Suggestions for improving safety are welcomed and will be considered by management as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, company structure or the nature of our services. The latest version will be made available to workers and customers who wish to understand how Man with Van Shirley manages Health and Safety within its removal and transport operations.
