Man with Van Ruxley Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Ruxley 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 transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with domestic and commercial moves, loading and unloading, transportation, and storage handling.

Policy Aims and Responsibilities

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective controls. Management has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented and reviewed. Supervisors are responsible for day-to-day health and safety arrangements on jobs, and every worker is expected to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others.

All employees and contractors working with Man with Van Ruxley must follow safe working practices, use the equipment provided correctly and report any concerns, incidents or near misses without delay. Customers are also requested to cooperate with reasonable safety measures during the planning and execution of any move.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before each job, risk assessments are carried out to identify potential hazards related to access routes, parking, loading points, stairways, lifts, heavy or awkward items, and any special customer requirements. Where risks are identified, appropriate control measures are put in place, such as additional staff, specialist equipment, or altered loading plans.

Safe systems of work are developed for regular tasks such as lifting, carrying, loading and unloading vehicles, securing loads and operating equipment. These procedures are communicated to staff, monitored on site and updated when working practices or equipment change.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removals service and is carefully managed to reduce the risk of injury. Staff receive training in correct lifting techniques, team lifting, use of handling aids and recognising when a load is too heavy or unstable to move safely by hand.

Where possible, trolleys, dollies, sack trucks and other handling aids are used to reduce physical strain. Heavy, bulky or fragile items are planned and lifted as a team with clear communication and agreed instructions. Staff are encouraged to stop and reassess any lift that does not feel safe.

Vehicles, Loading and Transport Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular checks carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, securing points and loading areas. Drivers hold appropriate licences and are responsible for safe driving and compliance with road safety rules.

Loading and unloading is carried out in a controlled manner. Loads are distributed evenly and secured using straps, blankets and other protective equipment to prevent movement or damage during transport. Access to the loading area is managed to minimise the risk of slips, trips, falls and contact with moving vehicles.

Workplace and Customer Premises Safety

When working at customer premises, our teams aim to minimise disruption while maintaining a safe environment. Wherever possible, clear access routes are established and kept free from obstacles, packaging and debris. Particular care is taken on stairways, narrow corridors, uneven surfaces and in wet or poor weather conditions.

Protective coverings may be used to reduce the risk of slips and to protect flooring. We encourage customers to keep children, pets and other non-essential persons away from active lifting and loading areas to avoid accidental injury.

Training, Information and Supervision

Health and safety training is provided to all new staff and refreshed as necessary. Training covers manual handling, use of equipment, safe loading, vehicle safety, hazard awareness and emergency procedures. Additional training is arranged when new risks, techniques or equipment are introduced.

Supervisors and experienced team members provide on-the-job guidance, especially for complex moves or when handling high value, fragile or unusual items. Staff are encouraged to ask questions and seek clarification before undertaking any task they are unsure about.

Equipment, Personal Protective Equipment and Maintenance

All tools and equipment used in our operations are selected for suitability and maintained in good working order. Defective equipment is taken out of use immediately and repaired or replaced as required.

Where necessary, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or high visibility clothing is provided and must be used in accordance with instructions. Staff are responsible for checking their equipment before use and reporting any damage or defects.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

Any accident, injury, near miss, damage or safety concern must be reported to a supervisor as soon as possible. We investigate incidents to determine causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Emergency procedures are in place for vehicle breakdowns, injuries, fire and other unforeseen events. Staff are briefed on how to respond safely, including when to stop work, how to secure the area and how to summon assistance.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and encourage good health and fitness. Staff are expected to attend work in a fit condition, free from the influence of alcohol or drugs, and to report any medical issue that could affect their ability to work safely.

Reasonable rest breaks are taken during long or physically demanding jobs. Workloads and schedules are planned to reduce fatigue and to allow tasks to be completed safely rather than rushed.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man with Van Ruxley is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. We regularly review our risk assessments, working methods, training and incident records to identify opportunities for improvement.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legal requirements or industry best practice. Updated versions are communicated to all staff and made available to customers on request.

By working together and following this policy, we aim to ensure that every move is carried out safely, efficiently and with respect for the wellbeing of everyone involved.