Man with Van Colliers Wood Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures followed by Man with Van Colliers Wood to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of our workers, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation services.

Our services include household and office removals, collection and delivery of goods, loading and unloading, and related moving activities within our regular service area. We are committed to managing these activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health and damage to property.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that appropriate resources, training and supervision are provided. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy on a day-to-day basis, including monitoring working practices and addressing hazards promptly.

All workers, including drivers and porters, share responsibility for working safely. They must follow safe systems of work, use equipment correctly and report any hazards, incidents or near-misses to management without delay.

Our Commitment to Safe Working Practices

Man with Van Colliers Wood is committed to maintaining safe working conditions and safe methods of work. We will:

Identify and assess risks associated with our removal and transport activities.
Implement control measures to reduce those risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
Regularly review our procedures to reflect changes in legislation, guidance and industry best practice.
Promote a positive safety culture in which concerns can be raised freely and are dealt with promptly.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before each job, workers are required to consider the specific risks at the property or collection point and during transit. This includes assessing access routes, stairs, lifts, parking locations, lighting, floor conditions and the size, weight and fragility of items to be moved.

Where particular risks are identified, such as heavy or awkward items, limited access, or shared public spaces, the team will plan the work to minimise risk. This may involve using additional staff, mechanical aids, or adjusting the sequence of tasks.

Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

Manual handling is a core part of removal work, and incorrect techniques can lead to serious injury. To reduce these risks, Man with Van Colliers Wood:

Provides guidance on safe lifting techniques, including maintaining good posture, lifting with the legs, avoiding twisting and working within personal limits.
Encourages the use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other aids whenever practicable.
Requires team lifting for heavy or bulky items to distribute the load safely.
Reminds workers to refuse unsafe lifts and to request assistance where needed.

Customers are asked to inform the team in advance about any particularly heavy or unusual items so that suitable arrangements can be made.

Vehicle, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and must be operated safely at all times. Man with Van Colliers Wood will ensure that:

Vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks on tyres, lights, brakes, mirrors and securing equipment.
Loads are distributed evenly and secured properly to prevent movement during transit.
Drivers hold the appropriate licence and are medically fit to drive.
Driving is carried out in accordance with road traffic laws and with consideration for other road users.

Drivers must not operate a vehicle if they are tired, unwell or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Mobile phones or other devices must not distract from safe driving.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Gear

Where necessary, workers may be provided with equipment and personal protective gear such as gloves, high-visibility clothing or safety footwear. All equipment must be used correctly and maintained in good condition.

Any defects in equipment or vehicles must be reported immediately so that they can be taken out of use and repaired or replaced as appropriate.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in a variety of settings including homes, offices, shared buildings and public spaces. We aim to protect both our workers and others who may be nearby. This includes:

Keeping access routes as clear as possible and avoiding trip hazards such as trailing straps or loose packaging.
Handling furniture and goods carefully to prevent damage to walls, floors, fittings and other property.
Taking additional care in communal or public areas where members of the public may pass through.
Using safe lifting and carrying routes to avoid blocking emergency exits.

Health, Hygiene and Wellbeing

Man with Van Colliers Wood recognises the importance of general health and hygiene at work. Workers are expected to maintain good personal hygiene and to keep vehicles and equipment tidy. Where work involves dusty, dirty or potentially contaminated items, additional precautions may be taken as necessary.

Anyone feeling unfit for work should notify management as early as possible so that safe staffing levels can be maintained and the health of colleagues and customers is protected.

Accidents, Incidents and Near-Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, incidents and near-misses connected with our operations must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to:

Take immediate action to prevent further harm.
Investigate the underlying causes of the incident.
Review and, where needed, improve our procedures and training.
Keep appropriate records in line with legal requirements.

Training, Information and Supervision

We are committed to providing workers with appropriate information and training to carry out their duties safely. This may include induction training, refresher guidance on manual handling, vehicle loading and unloading, and site-specific safety instructions.

Less experienced workers will be supervised and supported by more experienced colleagues until they are competent to work independently.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our activities, relevant legislation or best practice in the removals industry. Feedback from workers and customers is welcomed and helps us to improve our standards.

By following this policy, Man with Van Colliers Wood aims to provide a safe, reliable and responsible removal service for all customers within our service area.