Man with Van Chalk Farm Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Chalk Farm 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 furniture moving and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, loading and unloading, driving, and on-site work at homes, offices and other premises.

Health and Safety Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health arising from our operations. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures that are appropriate to our size and the nature of our man and van services. Health and Safety considerations are integrated into planning, supervising and delivering every removal job.

The management of Man with Van Chalk Farm accepts overall responsibility for Health and Safety and will provide the resources, information and training required to maintain safe working practices. All staff have a duty to work safely, follow procedures and cooperate in achieving the aims of this policy.

Legal Duties and Responsibilities

We comply with relevant Health and Safety legislation and guidance applicable to transport, manual handling and removal activities. Our responsibilities include providing a safe working environment, safe equipment, suitable systems of work, and information and instruction to enable employees to work safely.

Employees and contractors are required to take reasonable care of their own Health and Safety and that of others who could be affected by their actions. They must follow all safety instructions, use equipment properly and report hazards, near misses, incidents or concerns to their supervisor or the company management without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before undertaking a removal or transport job, we will assess the risks associated with the work. This includes considering access routes, staircases, parking, loading areas, expected weights and dimensions of items, and any special requirements such as fragile, awkward or bulky objects.

Where necessary, a site-specific assessment will be completed and safe systems of work will be put in place. These may involve using additional staff, scheduling work for safe times of day, selecting appropriate vehicles, or using lifting aids such as trolleys, straps and blankets to prevent injury and damage.

Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and after any significant incident or change in working practices, to ensure that control measures remain effective and appropriate for our service area and range of removal jobs.

Manual Handling and Musculoskeletal Safety

Manual handling is a core activity for Man with Van Chalk Farm, and we place strong emphasis on safe lifting and carrying techniques. Staff receive instruction on assessing loads, planning lifts, working as a team and using mechanical aids where possible to reduce strain.

Where practical, heavy or large items are moved using handling equipment rather than relying solely on physical strength. Staff are instructed not to lift items that are beyond their capability and to request additional help or equipment if a task appears unsafe.

We aim to minimise the risk of back injuries, strains and other musculoskeletal disorders by planning tasks, rotating duties where possible and ensuring suitable rest and hydration during demanding jobs.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition, with regular checks carried out in line with legal requirements and manufacturer recommendations. Drivers are responsible for carrying out pre-use checks, reporting defects and ensuring that loads are secure before moving the vehicle.

Drivers must hold the appropriate driving licences and follow all road traffic laws. Fatigue management is taken seriously, and routes and schedules are planned to allow adequate rest breaks. Safe driving practices are promoted at all times, including observing speed limits, adjusting driving to traffic and weather conditions and avoiding distractions when on the road.

Loads are arranged and secured in the vehicle to prevent movement, taking into account weight distribution and stability. Fragile and high value items are protected with suitable packing and securing methods to reduce the risk of damage and shifting during transit.

On-Site Safety at Customer Premises

When working at customer addresses or other sites, we take care to protect both people and property. This includes checking access routes, identifying tripping and slipping hazards and taking reasonable steps to minimise risk, such as using floor protection where suitable and ensuring that pathways are kept as clear as possible.

Customers are asked to keep children, pets and other persons away from working areas while items are being carried, loaded or unloaded. Staff are trained to work courteously and safely in and around homes, apartments, offices and shared spaces, and to stop work if conditions become unsafe.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Man with Van Chalk Farm provides appropriate equipment for lifting, securing and protecting goods. This can include trolleys, dollies, moving straps, blankets, ties and other tools designed to reduce physical effort and protect both staff and customers property.

Where risks cannot be fully controlled by other means, suitable personal protective equipment may be used, such as gloves and footwear with appropriate grip. Staff are responsible for using such equipment correctly and reporting any loss or damage so that it can be replaced.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive basic Health and Safety induction training, including safe lifting techniques, vehicle loading and securing, incident reporting and customer site conduct. Additional job-specific training is provided where needed, for example for new equipment or changes in procedures.

Supervision is proportionate to the experience of staff and the complexity of the work being undertaken. New or less experienced employees are monitored more closely until they demonstrate consistent compliance with safe working methods.

Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting

We encourage prompt reporting of all accidents, incidents and near misses, regardless of severity. This enables us to investigate causes, identify any underlying issues and implement corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Accident records are kept in accordance with legal and company requirements. Information from these records is used to review risk assessments, update training and improve practical safety arrangements for removal and delivery work.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removals work and aim to support the health and welfare of our staff. Workers must not undertake duties if they are unfit due to illness, injury, drugs or alcohol. Any health issues that could affect the safe performance of work must be reported to management.

Reasonable adjustments may be made where practical to support staff returning to work after illness or injury, taking into account medical advice and the need to avoid aggravating existing conditions.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man with Van Chalk Farm is committed to continuously improving Health and Safety performance. We review this policy regularly and after any significant change in legislation, operations or organisational structure.

Suggestions from staff and customers regarding Health and Safety improvements are welcomed and considered as part of our review process. Updated versions of this policy are communicated to employees and made available to customers upon request.

This Health and Safety policy underpins how we plan and deliver our man and van services and reflects our commitment to protecting people, property and the wider community in every job we undertake.