Man and a Van Paddington Health and Safety Policy
Man and a Van Paddington is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods in and around Paddington and the wider service area.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We will take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent injury and ill health arising from our operations. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance, ensuring our services are delivered in a responsible, professional and safety-conscious manner.
Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the business and will provide the resources, information and leadership necessary to support this policy.
Legal Compliance and Responsibilities
Man and a Van Paddington complies with all relevant health and safety legislation and associated regulations applicable to the removals and transport sector. We recognise our duty to protect our workforce and anyone who could be affected by our activities.
Every employee has a responsibility to work safely, follow instructions and procedures, use equipment correctly and report hazards or incidents without delay. Supervisors and managers are responsible for promoting safe working practices, monitoring compliance and addressing unsafe behaviour.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We identify and assess risks connected with key removal activities, including lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, securing loads, driving and working at customers premises. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and whenever there are changes to our operations, equipment or work locations.
Control measures and safe systems of work are developed from these assessments. These include agreed lifting techniques, team handling guidance, safe loading plans, traffic management arrangements near vehicles, and clear procedures for working in confined spaces such as stairwells, corridors and lifts.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of our service. To minimise the risk of strain and injury, we:
Provide training on correct lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifts for heavy or awkward items.
Encourage staff to assess the weight, shape and route before moving any item.
Use appropriate handling equipment such as trolleys, dollies and lifting straps where practicable.
Plan moves to avoid unnecessary carrying distances and obstacles.
All equipment used for handling and securing loads is inspected regularly and maintained in good condition. Faulty or damaged equipment is removed from use immediately.
Vehicle Safety and Load Security
Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and inspected in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements. Drivers are responsible for carrying out daily vehicle checks and reporting any defects without delay.
All loads are packed and secured to prevent movement during transit. Heavy items are placed low and evenly distributed where possible. We use straps, blankets and other protective materials to secure goods and reduce the risk of damage or injury.
Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking restrictions, and must drive in a manner that safeguards passengers, other road users and pedestrians, particularly in busy residential and commercial areas.
Working at Customers Premises
Our teams often work in homes, offices and shared buildings. To protect customers, visitors and staff, we:
Carry out on-site risk assessments where appropriate, identifying hazards such as narrow staircases, uneven surfaces, low ceilings and poor lighting.
Keep access routes, doorways and stairways as clear as possible to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls.
Use warning signs or verbal warnings when moving large items through shared areas or near members of the public.
Take care to protect property, including floors, walls, banisters and door frames, using coverings and padding as needed.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide appropriate health and safety training for all staff according to their role and responsibilities. This may include induction training, manual handling, safe vehicle loading, customer care and incident reporting.
Information on hazards, procedures and emergency arrangements is shared with employees and reinforced through ongoing supervision. Managers monitor working practices on site and intervene where necessary to ensure that safety procedures are followed.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, suitable personal protective equipment is provided and used. This may include protective gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and other items as required by the nature of the task and working environment.
Employees are expected to look after their protective equipment, wear it when required and report any defects so that it can be replaced.
Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible. We record and investigate these events to identify underlying causes and to prevent recurrence.
Where necessary, corrective actions and additional control measures are implemented, and findings are communicated to relevant staff. We recognise that open reporting and learning from incidents are essential to maintaining a safe working environment.
Health and Wellbeing
We understand that physical and mental wellbeing play a key role in safe working. We encourage employees to raise any health concerns that may affect their ability to carry out tasks safely, particularly those involving driving, lifting or operating equipment.
We do not tolerate working under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Any employee found to be unfit for work due to substance use will be removed from duty and managed in line with company procedures.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We value feedback from employees and customers on health and safety matters. Staff are encouraged to suggest improvements to working practices, equipment and procedures. Where appropriate, we consult with employees when introducing new methods of work or making significant changes to existing arrangements.
Management reviews health and safety performance at regular intervals, considering incident data, feedback and changes in legislation or best practice. This policy and the associated procedures are updated when necessary to ensure they remain effective and relevant.
Policy Review and Availability
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at least annually, or sooner if required by operational changes or legal updates. A copy of the current policy is available to all employees and may be provided to customers on request.
By following this policy, Man and a Van Paddington aims to deliver reliable, efficient and safe removal services throughout our service area, protecting our team, our customers and the wider community.
