Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Enfield
Man and a Van Enfield is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, subcontractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles, responsibilities and procedures that guide our work across all moving and transportation services.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by managing health and safety risks in a systematic and proactive way. We will comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice for removal and transport services. We will continually improve our approach to safety through regular review, training and communication.
Scope of the Policy
This policy applies to all Man and a Van Enfield operations, including household removals, office moves, furniture delivery, loading and unloading, packing and unpacking, driving, vehicle operations, and any related on-site activities at customer premises or storage locations.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy. This includes:
Ensuring risk assessments are carried out for key tasks such as lifting and handling, working in confined spaces like stairwells and corridors, operating lifting aids and driving vehicles.
Providing appropriate equipment, vehicles and tools that are safe, well maintained and suitable for the work undertaken.
Ensuring all employees receive adequate information, instruction, supervision and training to perform their duties safely.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to identify root causes and implement corrective and preventive measures.
Reviewing this policy regularly and updating it when changes in operations, legislation or best practice occur.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are expected to:
Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided by Man and a Van Enfield.
Use vehicles, tools and equipment correctly and report any defects or damage without delay.
Adopt safe lifting and handling techniques at all times and request assistance or mechanical aids for heavy or awkward items.
Wear any required personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing when instructed.
Report all accidents, injuries, near misses and unsafe conditions to management as soon as possible.
Refrain from working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that could impair judgement or performance.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We undertake risk assessments for our removal and transport activities to identify hazards and put appropriate control measures in place. These assessments consider risks such as manual handling, slips and trips, falls from height, vehicle movements, traffic management, working in customers homes and offices, and potential property damage.
Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments, covering procedures for loading and unloading vehicles, protecting customer property, using lifting equipment, parking and manoeuvring vehicles, and working in shared or public spaces. Employees are trained in these procedures and must follow them at all times.
Manual Handling and Furniture Moving
As a removal and man and van service, safe manual handling is central to our operations. We will:
Provide training in correct lifting, carrying and team-handling techniques.
Plan moves so that heaviest and bulkiest items are handled by sufficient staff or with appropriate equipment such as trolleys and dollies.
Avoid unnecessary lifting by using aids and by positioning vehicles as close as safely possible to the loading point.
Assess access routes for hazards such as tight corners, stairs, low ceilings, poor lighting and uneven surfaces before moving large items.
Stop and reassess if an item proves heavier or more awkward than anticipated, rather than risking injury or damage.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
We are committed to operating our vehicles safely and responsibly at all times. This includes:
Ensuring all drivers hold the appropriate licence and are competent to drive the vehicles allocated to them.
Carrying out regular vehicle checks and inspections, including tyres, lights, brakes, load restraints and door mechanisms.
Securing all loads properly to prevent movement during transit and to protect both staff and other road users.
Planning routes that take account of driving time, rest breaks and local conditions to reduce fatigue and stress.
Complying with road traffic laws and driving according to conditions, particularly in residential areas and busy streets.
Customer and Public Safety
We recognise our duty of care towards customers and members of the public during removal and delivery operations. To protect others we will:
Maintain clear walkways and access routes where possible and highlight any temporary obstructions created during loading and unloading.
Use safe techniques when moving items through shared areas such as corridors, lobbies and pavements, taking account of other users.
Take care to prevent damage to property, fixtures and fittings, and report any incidents immediately.
Communicate clearly with customers about any safety considerations that may affect them during the move, such as restricted access points or temporary trip hazards.
Training, Information and Supervision
We will provide ongoing training and instruction relevant to each role, including induction training for new staff, refresher sessions when required and task-specific guidance for complex or unusual moves. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that safe practices are followed on site and for providing additional support when needed.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Man and a Van Enfield encourages employees to raise health and safety concerns and to suggest improvements. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and used to refine our processes. This policy and our associated procedures are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain effective and appropriate for our removal services.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed periodically or when significant changes occur in our operations or in applicable health and safety requirements. Updated versions will be communicated to all employees and will replace previous versions from the date of issue.
