Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Bickley
Man with Van Bickley is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our workers, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risk, preventing injury and protecting property throughout every stage of a move.
Our aim is to deliver reliable removal services while continually improving our health and safety standards in line with recognised good practice for the moving and transport sector.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
The overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management of Man with Van Bickley. Management ensures that suitable arrangements, equipment and training are provided for safe working practices during collection, loading, transport and unloading.
All workers, including drivers, porters and any temporary staff, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Every worker is required to follow the guidance in this policy, use the equipment provided correctly and report any hazards, incidents or near misses without delay.
Risk Assessment and Planning
Before starting any removal job, we assess the nature of the work and identify potential hazards. This includes consideration of property access, staircases, lifts, parking arrangements, heavy or awkward items, and any special handling requirements.
Where appropriate, we will:
Plan safe routes in and out of properties to minimise manual handling risks and damage to surroundings. Decide the number of workers required to complete the task safely. Determine what equipment is needed, such as trolleys, straps, protective coverings or ramps. Consider weather conditions and visibility, especially where loading and unloading takes place near roads or in shared access areas.
These risk assessments guide our method of working and help to ensure that removal activities are carried out as safely and efficiently as possible.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of strains, sprains and other injuries.
We are committed to the following principles:
Use mechanical aids such as sack trucks, trolleys and sliders wherever reasonably practicable. Avoid single-person lifting of extremely heavy, bulky or unstable items. Encourage team lifting for large furniture or equipment, with clear communication between workers. Position loads properly before lifting and maintain good posture, keeping loads close to the body and avoiding twisting. Take additional care when negotiating stairs, narrow corridors or uneven surfaces.
Workers are instructed in safe lifting techniques and are expected to follow this guidance at all times.
Vehicle Safety and Loading
Our vehicles are an essential part of our removal services and are operated with safety as a priority. We ensure that vehicles are suitable for the work undertaken and that they are kept in a roadworthy condition in accordance with legal requirements.
Safe loading practices include:
Distributing loads evenly to maintain vehicle stability. Securing items using straps, ties and appropriate fixing points to prevent movement during transit. Protecting items and vehicle interiors with appropriate padding, covers and blankets. Observing safe weight limits and never exceeding the legal or recommended capacity of the vehicle.
Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic pre-use checks and reporting any faults or concerns immediately so that they can be addressed before the vehicle is used.
Protection of Customers, Property and the Public
Man with Van Bickley takes all reasonable steps to protect customers, their belongings and their premises during removal work. This includes the use of floor protection, corner guards and careful positioning of equipment to avoid unnecessary damage.
We plan work to avoid creating unnecessary obstructions or trip hazards, particularly in shared spaces such as hallways, entrances and pavements. Where work must take place near public areas or roads, we take additional care to maintain safe access, use visibility aids where appropriate and minimise the time that walkways are obstructed.
Customers are encouraged to keep children and pets away from loading and unloading areas to reduce the possibility of accidents.
Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment
We provide and maintain suitable equipment and tools for the work we undertake. All equipment is to be inspected regularly and taken out of use if there is any sign of defect or damage that could present a risk.
Where necessary, workers will be provided with and expected to use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, high-visibility clothing or safety footwear, depending on the nature of the work and the environment in which it is carried out.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man with Van Bickley ensures that workers receive appropriate information and guidance relevant to their role, including safe lifting techniques, correct use of equipment, vehicle safety and hazard awareness.
New workers are introduced to our working methods and safety expectations before being asked to undertake tasks on their own. Ongoing supervision and periodic reviews help to ensure that safe working practices are followed consistently.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible so that the circumstances can be investigated and appropriate action taken.
In the event of an incident involving injury, damage or risk to the public, workers are expected to prioritise safety, contact the relevant emergency services if required, and secure the scene so that no further harm can occur.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
We are committed to continuously improving our health and safety performance. Feedback from workers and customers, along with any incident investigations, is used to update our working methods and improve controls where necessary.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legal requirements or recognised industry guidance. Updated versions of this policy are made available to workers and are accessible to customers on request.
By following this Health and Safety Policy, Man with Van Bickley aims to provide a removal service that is not only efficient and reliable but also safe for everyone involved.
