Health and Safety policy

Man and Van Bow Health and Safety Policy

Man and Van Bow is committed to maintaining high standards of health, safety and welfare for our employees, subcontractors, customers and members of the public. As a professional removals provider, we recognise that safe working practices are essential when handling goods, driving vehicles and operating in homes, offices and other premises across our service area.

The purpose of this Health and Safety Policy is to define our responsibilities, outline the arrangements we put in place to manage risks, and provide clear guidance to everyone working on behalf of Man and Van Bow.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and disruption to our customers during removal and transport activities. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to: identify hazards and assess risks; provide and maintain safe equipment and vehicles; ensure safe systems of work; and provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision.

We are committed to continually improving our health and safety performance and to complying with all relevant health and safety legislation and accepted industry standards for removal and transport activities.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are made available. Management duties include:

Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out and reviewed regularly for removal, loading and unloading work, driving, parking, and working on customer premises. Providing and maintaining vehicles, lifting equipment, trolleys, straps and protective equipment in a safe condition. Ensuring that staff and regular subcontractors receive suitable health and safety induction and job specific training. Monitoring working practices and taking prompt action to correct unsafe behaviours or conditions. Investigating accidents, near misses and reported hazards, and implementing measures to prevent recurrence.

Employee and Subcontractor Responsibilities

Everyone working for Man and Van Bow, whether employed or subcontracted, is required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes:

Following all safety procedures and instructions provided during training or on site. Using vehicles, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and reporting any defects immediately. Cooperating with supervisors and management on health and safety matters. Reporting accidents, incidents, near misses and potential hazards without delay. Avoiding any behaviour that could place themselves, colleagues, customers or the public at risk.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before removal work begins, we assess the risks associated with the specific job, taking into account access routes, stairs, lifts, parking, traffic conditions, weather, the nature and weight of items to be moved and any special requirements for fragile or high value goods. Where necessary, we will discuss any concerns with the customer and agree a safe plan of work.

Safe systems of work may include planning safe lifting routes, limiting load weights to within manual handling guidelines, using additional staff for heavy or awkward items, using trolleys, dollies, ramps and moving blankets, and scheduling longer jobs to avoid fatigue. Staff are instructed to stop work and seek guidance if they believe it is unsafe to continue.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Lifting and carrying are central to removal operations and present significant risk of injury if not carried out correctly. Man and Van Bow puts strong emphasis on safe manual handling techniques, including:

Assessing the load and the route before lifting. Using team lifting for heavy or bulky items. Keeping loads close to the body and avoiding twisting while carrying. Using mechanical aids such as trolleys, barrows or sliders wherever practical. Taking regular short breaks during intensive lifting tasks to reduce strain.

Staff are trained to refuse unsafe lifting requests and to suggest safer alternatives, such as dismantling large furniture where appropriate.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are integral to our operations and must be operated safely at all times. Man and Van Bow ensures that vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained, and that any defects are reported and rectified promptly. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence and are expected to follow all road traffic laws and company driving standards.

Drivers are responsible for checking vehicle condition before use, securing loads to prevent movement during transit, planning routes to minimise risks and delays, driving at appropriate speeds and maintaining safe distances, and avoiding driving when fatigued or unwell. Parking and loading are planned to minimise obstruction to other road users and to protect staff and members of the public during loading and unloading.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer premises or in shared spaces, Man and Van Bow takes care to protect the health and safety of occupants, visitors and the public. Measures include maintaining clear walkways, avoiding trailing cables and trip hazards, using warning signs where appropriate, controlling access to areas where heavy items are being moved, protecting floors, walls and doorways where reasonably practicable, and keeping noise and disruption to a minimum.

Equipment, Personal Protective Equipment and Housekeeping

Suitable tools, lifting equipment and protective devices are provided according to the nature of the work. Staff are expected to use this equipment correctly and to report any loss or damage. Personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear and gloves, is provided where required and must be worn as instructed.

Good housekeeping is essential for safe operations. Work areas, loading points and vehicles must be kept as tidy as possible, with waste, packing materials and debris removed promptly to avoid slips, trips and falls.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man and Van Bow provides appropriate health and safety training for all staff, including induction training, manual handling techniques specific to removal work, safe loading and securing of goods, and emergency procedures. Refresher training is provided periodically or when work methods change. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring on site behaviour and correcting unsafe practices.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record and review these events to learn from them and to improve our controls. In the event of an emergency, such as fire, serious injury or traffic incident, staff must follow established procedures, prioritising life and safety. Where required, emergency services will be contacted immediately.

Review of this Policy

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and revised when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry practice, our services or the nature and scale of our operations in the removals sector. Updated versions are communicated to all staff and regular subcontractors.

By working in accordance with this policy, everyone at Man and Van Bow contributes to a safe, professional and reliable removal service for customers throughout our operating area.