Man with Van Chinatown Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Chinatown 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 removal and transportation activities. This Health and Safety Policy outlines our approach to managing risks associated with moving, handling, loading, unloading, and transporting items for domestic and commercial customers.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and ensure that all removal operations are carried out in a safe, controlled, and professional manner. We seek to continually improve our health and safety performance by reviewing our practices, learning from experience, and adopting best practice within the moving and transport sector.
Legal Compliance and Responsibilities
Man with Van Chinatown complies with applicable health and safety legislation and industry standards relevant to removal and transport operations. We recognise our duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of our staff and to protect others who may be impacted by our work.
Managers are responsible for implementing this policy, ensuring that staff are trained and supervised, and that suitable resources are allocated for health and safety measures. Employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions at work. They must follow all company procedures and report any hazards, accidents, or near-miss incidents immediately.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before undertaking removals, loading, unloading, or transporting items, we identify and assess risks to staff, customers, property, and the public. This includes considering access routes, stairs, lifts, parking, manual handling requirements, and any unusual or heavy items.
Where significant risks are identified, appropriate control measures are implemented. These may include using additional staff, equipment such as trolleys or straps, adjusting methods of lifting and carrying, or declining to move items that cannot be handled safely. All activities are carried out in line with safe systems of work communicated to staff through training and supervision.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core element of our services, and we recognise the potential for injury if not managed correctly. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, team lifting procedures, and the correct use of handling aids. Heavy or awkward items are assessed individually to determine the safest approach, which may involve more personnel, dismantling items where possible, or using specialised equipment.
Equipment used in our operations, such as sack trucks, dollies, straps, blankets, and ramps, is maintained in good condition and inspected regularly. Faulty or damaged equipment is immediately withdrawn from use until repaired or replaced.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are maintained to a high standard, inspected regularly, and kept roadworthy in line with legal and manufacturer requirements. Drivers must carry out basic pre-use checks and report any defects without delay.
All drivers are expected to drive safely, responsibly, and with consideration for other road users. They must comply with traffic laws, speed limits, and parking regulations, and must not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that may impair their ability to drive safely. Loads are secured correctly to prevent movement or damage during transit, and vehicles are never overloaded.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
When operating at customer premises, we take care to minimise risk to occupants, visitors, and neighbours. This may include controlling access to work areas, keeping routes clear, managing trip hazards from equipment or packing materials, and working with customers to agree safe access and parking arrangements.
We aim to prevent damage to property by using protective coverings where appropriate and by moving items carefully and methodically. Any incident that results in damage or presents a safety risk is reported and investigated so that corrective measures can be taken.
Training, Competence, and Supervision
Staff receive appropriate induction and ongoing training covering health and safety awareness, manual handling, vehicle safety, customer care, and emergency procedures. Training needs are reviewed regularly to ensure that skills and knowledge remain current and relevant to the tasks performed.
Supervisors and experienced team members provide guidance and oversight during moves, particularly where complex, heavy, or high-risk tasks are involved. No employee is asked to carry out work for which they are not suitably trained or physically capable.
Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, and safety-related incidents are recorded and investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Staff are required to report incidents immediately to their supervisor or manager.
Our teams are briefed on what to do in emergencies, including injury to a person, damage to property, road traffic incidents, and fire or evacuation situations at customer premises. We cooperate with emergency services and site managers when required.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage staff to raise health and safety concerns, make suggestions for improvements, and participate in discussions about safe working practices. Feedback from customers is welcomed and reviewed as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our operations, legislation, or industry standards. The policy is communicated to all employees and is available to customers on request so they can understand how we manage safety during removal and transport services.
