Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Catford
Man and a Van Catford is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety policy outlines our approach to managing risk in all aspects of our services, including domestic and commercial moves, loading and unloading, transport, and on-site handling of goods.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying, assessing, and controlling risks associated with removal operations. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance and to embed safe working practices into every stage of our service. This policy applies to all staff and workers engaged by Man and a Van Catford, regardless of role or employment status.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Man and a Van Catford has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy. Management will:
Ensure that health and safety is given equal priority alongside operational and customer service considerations. Provide appropriate resources, training, and equipment to enable work to be carried out safely and competently. Develop and maintain risk assessments and safe systems of work for removal activities, driving, manual handling, and use of equipment. Monitor performance and investigate incidents, near misses, and hazards to prevent recurrence. Review this policy periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations or relevant legislation.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and workers at Man and a Van Catford share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Every individual must:
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided by the company. Use vehicles, equipment, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Report accidents, near misses, hazards, and unsafe conditions to management without delay. Refrain from any behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers, or the public, including the use of alcohol or drugs while at work.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Man and a Van Catford conducts risk assessments for all significant hazards relating to our removal services. These include manual handling of furniture and boxes, lifting and carrying up and down stairs, loading and unloading vehicles, driving and parking in residential and commercial areas, working in confined spaces such as narrow hallways, and handling fragile, bulky, or heavy items.
From these risk assessments, we develop safe systems of work, which may include pre-move surveys to identify access issues and special risks, planning appropriate staffing levels and equipment for each job, using safe lifting techniques and team lifting for heavy or awkward items, securing loads safely in vehicles to prevent movement during transit, and applying traffic and parking controls to protect staff and the public.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of our operations and is carefully controlled. Staff receive instruction in correct lifting and carrying techniques designed to minimise strain and prevent injury. Where possible, mechanical aids and handling equipment such as trolleys, dollies, and lifting straps are used. Employees are expected to assess the load before lifting, refuse unsafe lifts, and seek assistance where required. Damaged or unsuitable equipment must not be used and must be reported to management immediately.
Vehicles and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are central to our removal services and must be operated safely at all times. Man and a Van Catford ensures that vehicles are regularly inspected, maintained, and cleaned so that they are safe and roadworthy. Drivers must hold the appropriate valid licence and comply with all road traffic laws and company driving rules. This includes adhering to speed limits and parking regulations, avoiding mobile phone use while driving unless legally hands-free, securing loads correctly to prevent shifting during transit, and planning routes to minimise risk and disruption.
Customer and Public Safety
The safety of our customers and the public is essential. During removal operations, our staff will take reasonable steps to reduce risks to others by maintaining clear access routes where possible, using warning signs or verbal instructions in busy or shared areas, taking care when moving items through communal spaces, doorways, and near parked vehicles, and working tidily to minimise trip hazards such as loose packaging or tools.
We respect customers premises and take precautions to avoid damage to property, fixtures, and fittings where this can be reasonably achieved while working safely.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Man and a Van Catford provides health and safety information and appropriate instruction for all staff relevant to their duties. This may include induction training covering basic health and safety responsibilities, manual handling techniques and use of handling equipment, vehicle safety and defensive driving principles, safe loading and unloading methods, and emergency and incident reporting procedures.
Supervision is provided to ensure that procedures are followed, especially for new or inexperienced workers. Refresher training may be delivered when necessary or when changes occur in our operations.
Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Incident details are recorded and investigated so that corrective and preventive measures can be implemented. In an emergency, staff are expected to act promptly to protect themselves and others, contact emergency services as required, and follow any site-specific rules when working at customer premises.
Review and Continuous Improvement
Man and a Van Catford is committed to ongoing improvement in health and safety performance. This policy and associated procedures will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our services, working methods, or legal requirements. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and may be used to improve how we manage health and safety in all areas of our removal work.
