Man With a Van Putney Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Putney is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety in all removal, delivery, and transport services. This policy explains our approach to managing risks, protecting our customers, staff, and the public, and ensuring that our operations are carried out safely and responsibly at all times.

Scope and Objectives

This Health and Safety policy applies to all employees, contractors, and any other persons engaged in activities on behalf of Man With a Van Putney. It covers all services including home moves, office removals, single item transport, loading, unloading, and driving operations.

Our key objectives are to:

• Prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health.
• Identify and manage hazards associated with removals and van operations.
• Provide safe systems of work and appropriate training.
• Protect customers, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our activities.
• Continuously improve our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Putney is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources are available to maintain safe working practices. Managers will:

• Conduct and review risk assessments for typical moving and transport activities.
• Provide appropriate equipment, vehicles, and tools that are safe and well maintained.
• Ensure staff receive necessary information, instruction, and supervision.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, and near-misses to prevent recurrence.
• Monitor compliance with this policy and make improvements where required.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions at work. Staff must:

• Follow all health and safety procedures and instructions given by management.
• Use equipment and vehicles correctly and report any defects immediately.
• Wear any required personal protective equipment where provided and appropriate.
• Avoid reckless behaviour, horseplay, or shortcuts that compromise safety.
• Report hazards, unsafe conditions, incidents, or injuries without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We assess risks associated with removal services, including manual handling, lifting of furniture and boxes, use of trolleys and ramps, vehicle loading, and working in confined or shared spaces such as stairwells and corridors. Where risks are identified, we take reasonable steps to reduce them through planning, training, and the use of suitable equipment.

Typical safe working practices include:

• Planning routes, access points, and parking to minimise reversing and manoeuvring risks.
• Assessing items for weight, size, and stability before lifting or moving.
• Using team lifting techniques and equipment where appropriate.
• Securing loads properly within the van to prevent movement during transport.
• Keeping work areas clear of trip hazards, especially near doorways and on stairs.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core aspect of removal work, and we recognise the importance of minimising strain and injury. Staff are instructed to:

• Test the weight of items before attempting to lift or move them.
• Ask for assistance when objects are heavy, bulky, or awkwardly shaped.
• Use correct posture, bending at the knees and keeping the load close to the body.
• Use trolleys, dollies, and lifting straps where appropriate and available.
• Avoid twisting the body while carrying loads and take rest breaks when needed.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our service and must be operated safely at all times. We are committed to:

• Ensuring vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained in roadworthy condition.
• Checking tyres, lights, mirrors, and securing devices before use.
• Complying with road traffic laws, speed limits, and parking regulations.
• Requiring drivers to be properly licensed, competent, and fit for duty.
• Prohibiting the use of mobile phones and similar distractions while driving, except through approved hands-free systems where permitted by law.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers and the public during moving and transport activities. Measures include:

• Communicating clearly with customers about access routes and any short-term restrictions.
• Using safe lifting techniques in shared spaces such as corridors and staircases.
• Taking care to avoid damage to property, fixtures, and fittings while moving items.
• Positioning vehicles safely to minimise obstruction and visibility risks.
• Keeping children, pets, and bystanders away from active loading and unloading areas wherever reasonably practicable.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide staff with relevant training and guidance suitable for removal and van operations. This may include:

• Induction training on company health and safety procedures.
• Manual handling and safe lifting techniques.
• Safe loading, securing, and unloading of vehicles.
• Emergency and incident response procedures.

Supervisors are expected to monitor working practices, correct unsafe behaviour, and provide additional instruction where required.

Accidents, Incidents, and First Aid

All accidents, injuries, and near-misses that occur during our activities must be reported as soon as possible to management. We will:

• Record incidents accurately and keep appropriate records.
• Investigate causes and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Provide access to basic first aid equipment in vehicles and at operating locations.
• Encourage a culture where staff feel able to report concerns without fear of blame.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We value feedback from employees, customers, and partners on health and safety matters. Suggestions for improving safety can be raised with management at any time. We review this policy periodically and update it where needed to reflect changes in operations, best practice, and applicable legal requirements.

Policy Review and Approval

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed at regular intervals, and at any time when significant changes occur in our services, working practices, or relevant regulations. Man With a Van Putney is committed to ensuring that this policy remains effective, understood, and implemented throughout our organisation.

By engaging Man With a Van Putney, customers can be confident that health and safety is treated as a core part of our removal and transport services.