Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Enfield Highway
Man with Van Enfield Highway is committed to providing removal and transport services in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of our customers, employees, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and standards that guide our work during house moves, office relocations and man and van services.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property throughout every removal or delivery. We aim to identify and manage risks at all stages of the moving process, from initial planning through to loading, transport, unloading and disposal or recycling of unwanted items.
We strive to create a culture in which safety is everyone’s responsibility, and where concerns can be raised and addressed promptly without blame.
Management Responsibilities
Company management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy. This includes:
Ensuring that appropriate risk assessments are carried out for typical removal activities such as lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and driving. Providing suitable equipment and vehicles that are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Offering adequate information, instruction, training and supervision to employees so they can carry out their work safely. Monitoring working practices to ensure that this policy is followed on all jobs. Reviewing the policy periodically, and after any significant incident, to ensure it remains effective and up to date.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular contractors working with Man with Van Enfield Highway have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They are expected to:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and safe systems of work provided by the company. Use equipment, tools and vehicles only for their intended purpose and report any defects immediately. Co operate with management on all health and safety matters, including attending training sessions. Avoid taking unnecessary risks, particularly when lifting, carrying and working in confined or cluttered spaces. Report hazards, near misses and incidents without delay so corrective action can be taken.
Customer Responsibilities
We ask customers to support our Health and Safety standards by:
Providing clear access to the property, including safe entry routes and removal of avoidable obstructions where reasonably possible. Informing the team of any known hazards at the address, such as loose flooring, restricted staircases, low ceilings or challenging parking arrangements. Keeping children, pets and non essential persons away from working areas while loading and unloading is in progress. Respecting the judgement of our staff if they advise that certain items cannot be moved safely due to weight, size, fragility or access constraints.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before and during each job, the team assesses the work area, vehicle access and the items to be moved. Where necessary, the team leader will adjust the plan to maintain safe working conditions.
Key risk control measures include:
Planning safe lifting routes and using appropriate manual handling techniques. Dividing heavy or awkward loads where possible and using lifting aids where available. Ensuring vehicles are parked and loaded safely, with consideration for other road users and pedestrians. Stacking items securely within the vehicle to prevent movement during transit. Avoiding overloading vehicles beyond their rated capacity.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of our removal services and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. Our approach includes:
Encouraging team lifts for heavy or bulky furniture and appliances. Instructing staff to avoid twisting while lifting and to use stable footing. Advising against lifting loads that are beyond an individual’s capability. Using appropriate techniques for stairs, tight corners and uneven surfaces.
Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety
Our drivers are required to hold valid licences and to operate vehicles in a safe and considerate manner at all times. Vehicle safety measures include:
Carrying out basic pre use checks of tyres, lights, mirrors and securing equipment. Driving in accordance with road traffic laws, speed limits and weather conditions. Taking reasonable breaks during longer journeys to reduce fatigue. Securing loads correctly to prevent shifting that could affect vehicle stability or cause damage.
Equipment and Personal Protective Measures
Where appropriate to the task, our teams use equipment such as trolleys, straps and protective covers to support safe working and protect customer property. Personal protective measures, such as suitable footwear and gloves, may be used as required based on the specific job and assessed risks.
Housekeeping and Site Safety
Maintaining tidy working areas helps prevent slips, trips and falls. Our crews aim to:
Keep walkways and staircases as clear as reasonably practicable. Organise packed items, boxes and furniture in a way that reduces congestion. Manage doors, gates and access points to avoid obstruction and ensure safe movement of goods.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
Any accident, injury, damage or near miss that occurs during our work is reported to management as soon as possible. Where appropriate, incidents are investigated to determine root causes and identify improvements to training, equipment or processes. We encourage open and honest reporting so lessons can be learned and shared.
Training and Competence
We provide ongoing training and guidance to ensure employees remain competent and confident in their roles. This may include induction training, manual handling guidance, safe loading practices, and refresher briefings when procedures change or new equipment is introduced.
Continuous Improvement
Man with Van Enfield Highway is committed to continually improving its Health and Safety performance. We periodically review this policy, consult with staff on practical improvements, and update working methods where necessary to reflect changes in industry practice, legal duties or operational experience.
By following this Health and Safety policy, we aim to deliver reliable, considerate and safe removal services for every customer and every move.
