Man with Van Foots Cray Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Foots Cray is committed to providing safe, reliable and professional removal services for all customers. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to protecting our workers, customers, members of the public and anyone else who may be affected by our activities. We aim to manage removals, loading, unloading and transportation in a way that minimises risk, prevents injury and protects property.
Our Health and Safety Commitments
We recognise our responsibility to provide a safe working environment and to conduct all removal operations in line with relevant health and safety principles and best practice. Our core commitments are to:
Identify, assess and control risks associated with removals, lifting, carrying and transport.
Provide suitable information, instruction and training to our team so work is carried out safely.
Supply and maintain appropriate equipment and vehicles for moving and transporting goods.
Encourage a culture of safety awareness, reporting of hazards and continuous improvement.
Review this policy regularly and update procedures when necessary.
Roles and Responsibilities
Health and safety is a shared responsibility across our organisation.
Management is responsible for implementing this policy, carrying out risk assessments, providing training and ensuring that safe systems of work are in place and followed.
Drivers and removal operatives are responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must use equipment correctly, follow safe working procedures, report hazards or incidents, and refuse to carry out work they believe to be unsafe.
Customers are asked to support safe working by providing clear access to premises, advising us of any known hazards, supervising children and pets during the removal process and following any reasonable safety instructions given by our team.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for typical removal activities, including packing, loading, unloading and transporting goods. Where a job presents specific risks, such as restricted access, heavy or awkward items, or long carries, additional assessment is carried out on site.
Safe working methods are developed from these assessments and include guidelines on manual handling, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, vehicle loading, securing of loads, and safe driving practices. These procedures are communicated to all staff and are reviewed when circumstances change or improvements are identified.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a significant part of removal work. To reduce the risk of injury we:
Train staff in correct lifting techniques and team lifting methods.
Plan lifts in advance, including route, rests and use of equipment.
Use trolleys, dollies, straps and other aids where appropriate.
Avoid asking a single operative to move items that are too heavy, awkward or unstable.
Assess the suitability of staircases, doorways and corridors before moving large items.
Where an item cannot be moved safely, we will discuss alternative options with the customer or decline the task.
Vehicle Safety and Load Security
Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and checked regularly. Drivers are responsible for completing basic safety checks before use and reporting any defects promptly.
To ensure safe transportation of goods, we:
Distribute weight evenly across the load space.
Use straps, blankets and other securing devices to prevent movement or damage.
Avoid overloading vehicles beyond their safe working capacity.
Follow safe driving practices, allowing extra time and distance when carrying heavy or high loads.
Only allow trained and authorised staff to drive our vehicles.
Customer and Public Safety
We take reasonable steps to safeguard customers and members of the public during our work. Measures include:
Keeping access routes as clear as possible and highlighting any trip hazards.
Managing vehicle movements carefully in residential streets and shared spaces.
Requesting that customers, children and pets stay away from moving equipment and active loading areas.
Using caution when carrying items through shared entrances, corridors or stairwells.
Taking particular care when operating near parked vehicles, neighbours properties and public pathways.
Equipment, PPE and Work Environment
We provide suitable equipment to support the safe handling and protection of goods, such as trolleys, lifting aids and protective covers. Where appropriate, staff may use personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility garments.
Equipment is checked regularly, and any defective or damaged item is removed from service until replaced or repaired. We expect all staff to keep working areas as tidy and orderly as possible to reduce slips, trips and falls.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, injuries or damage to property must be reported as soon as possible to management. This helps us respond promptly, support those affected and identify measures to prevent recurrence.
In the event of a serious incident or emergency, our staff are instructed to prioritise the safety of people, call the appropriate emergency services when necessary and cooperate fully with any investigation.
Training, Communication and Policy Review
We provide induction and ongoing training for our team covering safe lifting techniques, safe driving and load security, hazard awareness and emergency procedures, and customer care relating to safety.
We communicate updates to this policy and to safe working methods through briefings and regular discussions. We encourage staff to raise any health and safety concerns or suggestions for improvement.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically, as well as after any significant change in our operations or following any serious incident. Our aim is to continually improve our standards so that Man with Van Foots Cray continues to offer a safe and dependable removal service for all customers.
