Man and a Van Bow Health and Safety Policy
Man and a Van Bow is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. We aim to manage all operations in a way that prevents injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment.
This Health and Safety Policy sets out our principles, responsibilities and working arrangements for maintaining a safe removal service. It applies to all staff, whether permanent, temporary or subcontracted, and to all services carried out under the Man and a Van Bow name.
Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to:
Identify, assess and control risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, transporting and unloading goods.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and systems of work for removal operations.
Ensure our team is properly trained and competent in manual handling, safe driving and customer site safety.
Promote a positive safety culture where everyone takes responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.
Comply with relevant health and safety legislation and codes of practice for removal and transport work.
Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man and a Van Bow holds overall responsibility for health and safety performance. Management will:
Provide clear leadership and visible commitment to safe working practices.
Ensure appropriate resources are made available for training, equipment, maintenance and risk controls.
Implement procedures for risk assessment, incident reporting and investigation.
Monitor and review working practices and update this policy when necessary.
Consult with staff on health and safety matters and act on reasonable recommendations.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee and contractor has a duty to work safely and to support this policy. All staff are required to:
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety procedures, training and instructions provided by the company.
Use vehicles, tools, equipment and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately.
Report incidents, injuries, near misses and unsafe conditions as soon as possible.
Cooperate fully with any investigation, audit or safety review.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Man and a Van Bow conducts risk assessments for typical removal activities, including packing, lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and transport. Where specific or unusual risks are present at a customer location, a site specific assessment will be carried out.
Control measures may include:
Planning access routes, parking and loading areas in advance.
Using appropriate lifting equipment, trolleys or straps to reduce manual handling risks.
Team lifting for heavy or awkward items such as large furniture or appliances.
Ensuring adequate lighting and clear walkways in work areas.
Scheduling work to avoid fatigue and unsafe time pressure.
Manual Handling and Lifting Safety
Manual handling is a core part of our removal services and is treated as a priority risk area. To minimise the risk of strains, sprains and other injuries, we will:
Provide manual handling training for all staff involved in lifting and carrying tasks.
Encourage staff to assess each lift before proceeding and to refuse unsafe lifts.
Limit single person lifts to items that are within safe weight and size limits.
Use appropriate equipment and team lifting techniques for heavy, fragile or bulky items.
Position loads securely in vehicles to prevent movement during transit.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are essential to our removal operations and are maintained to high safety standards. We will:
Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and kept roadworthy.
Carry out pre use checks before each shift or job, including tyres, lights and securing points.
Require all drivers to hold valid licences appropriate to the vehicle they are driving.
Promote safe driving behaviours, including adherence to speed limits and rest breaks on longer journeys.
Secure loads to prevent shifting, falling or damage while the vehicle is in motion.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
When working at customer homes, offices or other locations, our team will take care to protect the safety of occupants and the general public. This includes:
Maintaining clear access routes and avoiding trip hazards from tools, boxes and packaging.
Using warning signs or barriers where necessary during loading and unloading.
Taking extra care in shared spaces such as corridors, stairwells and car parks.
Respecting house rules, building regulations and any additional safety instructions on site.
Handling customers belongings with care to prevent damage and associated hazards such as broken glass or sharp edges.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man and a Van Bow provides suitable information, instruction and training so that employees are able to carry out their work safely. This may include:
Induction training on company safety procedures and emergency arrangements.
Practical training on manual handling, safe lifting and use of equipment.
Guidance on safe driving, route planning and vehicle checks.
Ongoing refresher training where necessary and updates when procedures change.
Supervision for new or less experienced staff until they are assessed as fully competent.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly to management. We will:
Record incidents and investigate the causes to prevent recurrence.
Provide first aid provisions and ensure staff know how to access them.
Implement suitable emergency procedures for incidents such as fire, collision or serious injury.
Review risk assessments and working practices following any significant incident.
Monitoring, Review and Policy Updates
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, our services or operating conditions. Feedback from employees and customers is welcome and will be considered in future improvements.
By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Man and a Van Bow aims to deliver reliable removal services while maintaining a safe environment for everyone involved.
