Man With a Van Balham Health and Safety Policy
Man With a Van Balham is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting, and unloading household and commercial items.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and ensure that all removals and associated services are carried out safely and efficiently. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance by reviewing working methods, training, equipment, and feedback from staff and customers.
Legal Responsibilities and Compliance
Man With a Van Balham complies with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice relating to manual handling, road safety, use of work equipment, and the safe transport of goods. We expect all staff and contractors working on our behalf to follow this policy and any associated procedures as a condition of their work with us.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and for ensuring that suitable arrangements, resources, and equipment are in place. Management will:
Conduct and review risk assessments for our typical removal and delivery activities, including domestic and commercial moves.
Provide appropriate training, supervision, and information to staff and regular contractors.
Ensure that vehicles, lifting equipment, and protective equipment are suitable, well maintained, and safe to use.
Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses to identify causes and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Review this policy periodically and update it if there are significant changes to our operations or legal requirements.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee and regular contractor working with Man With a Van Balham has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff are expected to:
Follow all safety instructions, training, and procedures provided.
Use equipment, tools, and vehicles correctly and report any defects immediately.
Adopt safe manual handling techniques and request assistance when loads are too heavy, awkward, or unsafe to move alone.
Wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment where necessary.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses, and hazards to management as soon as practicable.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before undertaking any removal or delivery task, our teams will assess the risks associated with the environment, access routes, loads, and vehicles. This includes:
Checking stairways, corridors, entrances, and driveways for obstacles, trip hazards, and restricted access.
Assessing the weight, size, and shape of items to be moved and planning suitable handling methods.
Identifying fragile, high value, or hazardous items and agreeing safe handling procedures.
Ensuring there is adequate lighting and space for safe loading and unloading.
Where necessary, adjusting the method of work, increasing staffing levels, or using additional equipment to remove or reduce risks.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of our removals service area and presents one of the main risks of injury. To reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other injuries, we require that:
Staff receive guidance in safe lifting and moving techniques, including team lifting for bulky items.
Loads are tested for weight and stability before lifting, and are not carried if they present unacceptable risk.
Lifting aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and blankets are used where appropriate.
Obstacles are removed from pathways before carrying items.
Staff do not rush or take shortcuts that compromise safety, even when working to tight schedules.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to the safe delivery of removal services. To maintain road and site safety:
Vehicles are kept in a roadworthy condition, subject to regular checks and servicing.
Drivers must hold a valid licence for the class of vehicle they operate and follow all traffic laws and regulations.
Loads are secured correctly to prevent movement, damage to goods, or danger to other road users.
Drivers must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any medication that may impair their ability to drive safely.
Parking, loading, and unloading must be carried out with due regard for pedestrians, other vehicles, and property in the area.
Customer and Public Safety
We take reasonable steps to protect customers and the public when providing removal and delivery services. This includes:
Explaining to customers how they can help maintain a safe environment, such as keeping children and pets away from moving operations.
Keeping access routes as clear as possible during loading and unloading.
Positioning vehicles and equipment so as not to create unnecessary hazards.
Taking particular care when moving items through shared spaces or busy streets.
Equipment and Personal Protective Measures
We will provide and maintain suitable equipment for lifting, carrying, and protecting goods during transit. Staff are required to use the equipment provided and follow any related instructions. Where appropriate for the task, personal protective measures such as gloves or other protective items will be used to reduce the risk of cuts, abrasions, or other injuries.
Monitoring, Training, and Continuous Improvement
Man With a Van Balham monitors health and safety performance through regular communication with staff, review of incident reports, and checks on working methods. Training and guidance are updated when new risks are identified or when there are changes to our services or equipment.
We are committed to continually improving our health and safety standards so that customers across our service area can rely on safe, careful, and professional removals and delivery work.
