Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Lampton

Man with Van Lampton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all services, including house moves, office relocations, furniture transport, and collections and deliveries.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We will take all reasonably practicable measures to prevent injury and ill health, and to protect property during our operations. Health and safety is an integral part of our planning and decision-making, and we aim to continually improve our standards in line with industry best practice and applicable legislation.

All managers, drivers, removal operatives, and administrative staff are expected to support this policy and to co-operate in its implementation. We also ask our customers to support safe working by following the guidance given by our team on site.

Responsibilities

The management of Man with Van Lampton has overall responsibility for health and safety, including:

Ensuring that suitable resources are available to implement this policy, providing and maintaining safe vehicles, equipment, and systems of work, arranging appropriate training, supervision, and information for staff, carrying out risk assessments and acting on the findings, and reviewing this policy on a regular basis and updating it where necessary.

Employees of Man with Van Lampton are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions, following all safe working procedures and instructions, using equipment and personal protective equipment correctly, reporting hazards, accidents, incidents, and near misses without delay, and co-operating with management to enable all legal and policy duties to be fulfilled.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We will assess risks associated with our removal and delivery activities and put in place control measures to reduce those risks as far as reasonably practicable. Typical risks include manual handling of heavy or awkward items, vehicle movements and loading, working in customers premises, and slips, trips, and falls.

Before each job, our team will consider the specific conditions of the premises, access routes, stairways, parking, and any special items that require extra care. Where necessary, work will be planned to avoid or reduce high-risk tasks, such as moving very heavy items without suitable equipment or adequate manpower.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and is carefully managed. Our staff are trained in correct lifting and carrying techniques to minimise the risk of back injuries and other strains. Wherever practicable, mechanical aids and equipment are used, including sack trucks, trolleys, wheeled dollies, furniture blankets and straps, ramps and lifting aids where suitable.

Staff must always assess the load and the route before lifting, request assistance for heavy or bulky items, avoid twisting while lifting or carrying, and take regular breaks when carrying out intensive manual handling tasks.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and inspected regularly. Drivers must hold the appropriate driving licence and comply with all road traffic requirements. Safe loading and securing of goods is essential to protect both the driver and other road users.

Drivers are responsible for checking vehicles before use and reporting any defects, loading vehicles within their weight limits and distributing loads safely, securing items to prevent movement during transit, driving at safe speeds and adapting to weather and traffic conditions, and never driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that may impair performance.

Working at Customer Premises

We recognise our duty to protect customers, visitors, and others at the locations where we work. Our staff must conduct themselves professionally and safely while on site. This includes keeping access routes clear and tidy, using protective coverings where appropriate to protect floors and surfaces, highlighting potential hazards such as trailing cables or ramps, and following any reasonable site safety rules provided by the customer, such as fire procedures and no smoking areas.

Where conditions are unsafe or access is not adequate for safe working, our team will discuss alternatives with the customer and may postpone work until a safe solution is agreed.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment will be provided where it is necessary to control specific risks. This may include safety footwear to protect against dropped objects, gloves for handling certain materials, and high-visibility clothing when working near traffic or in low light. Staff are required to use and look after the protective equipment issued to them and report any loss or damage immediately.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible so they can be recorded, investigated, and, where needed, lead to improvements in our procedures. First aid arrangements will be made according to the scale and nature of our operations, and drivers will be provided with basic guidance on what to do in the event of an emergency on the road.

Customers should inform our staff of any specific emergency arrangements at their premises, including fire exits, assembly points, and any restricted areas.

Training, Communication, and Review

We ensure that employees are given appropriate information, instruction, and training to carry out their work safely, including induction training for new staff, ongoing training in manual handling and safe loading, and updates when procedures or equipment change. Health and safety information is communicated clearly so that all staff understand their responsibilities.

This policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or legal requirements. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed as part of our commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety.

Customer Cooperation

To maintain safe working conditions, we ask customers to provide clear and safe access to the property, inform us in advance of any unusual items or hazards, such as fragile structures or restricted parking, supervise children and pets away from working areas, and follow the safety advice given by our team during the move. By working together, we can ensure that removals are carried out efficiently, safely, and with minimum risk to everyone involved.