Health and Safety policy
Man with Van Barbican Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Barbican is committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of health and safety in all removal and transport services we provide. Our objective is to protect our employees, customers, contractors, members of the public, and property from harm arising from our activities, while ensuring efficient and reliable moving services.
This Health and Safety Policy outlines our principles, responsibilities, and arrangements for managing risks associated with lifting, loading, transport, access, and all other work connected to our removal operations.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We recognise our duty to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice. We aim to continually improve our safety performance by identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing control measures, and reviewing our procedures.
We actively promote a positive safety culture, in which everyone involved in our work understands that safety is a shared responsibility and that safe methods of working are never compromised for speed or convenience.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man with Van Barbican is responsible for implementing and reviewing this policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are available to support safe operations. This includes providing appropriate equipment, training, supervision, and information to enable staff to carry out their duties safely.
Managers will ensure that risk assessments are completed for key activities, such as manual handling, use of vehicles, loading and unloading, working in stairwells and confined spaces, and moving bulky or fragile items. Control measures will be communicated clearly and enforced consistently.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee and operative working on behalf of Man with Van Barbican has a personal responsibility to work safely and to follow the health and safety procedures set out by the company.
All staff must:
Use equipment correctly and only for its intended purpose.
Follow safe manual handling techniques and lifting guidelines.
Wear appropriate clothing and any required personal protective equipment.
Report accidents, near misses, hazards, or unsafe conditions immediately to management.
Cooperate with training, instructions, and safety initiatives.
Employees must not engage in horseplay, work under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or undertake any task for which they have not been trained or authorised.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before commencing any removal job, suitable and proportionate risk assessments will be carried out. These may be written or dynamic, depending on the size and complexity of the work. Key factors considered include access routes, stairs, lifts, parking, loading areas, item weights, awkward shapes, and any vulnerable fixtures or surfaces.
Based on the findings of these assessments, safe systems of work will be applied. This may include using additional staff for heavy items, scheduling work at quieter times to avoid congestion, or adjusting vehicle positioning to minimise manual handling distance.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Lifting and moving objects is a core element of our services, and particular care is taken to minimise the risk of injury. Staff receive training in correct lifting techniques and in recognising loads that require assistance or equipment.
Where appropriate, we use trolleys, dollies, straps, blankets, and other moving aids to reduce strain on the body and to protect items and surfaces. Staff are instructed never to attempt to lift or carry items that exceed their personal capability or that cannot be moved safely due to size, shape, or access restrictions.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our drivers are required to hold the appropriate licences and to maintain high standards of driving. Vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks of tyres, brakes, lights, and securing mechanisms.
Loads are secured properly to prevent movement during transit, and weight is distributed safely to avoid instability. Drivers must plan routes responsibly, take account of road conditions, and allow sufficient time to complete journeys safely without rushing.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We take care to protect customer premises and the surrounding environment while carrying out removal work. Protective coverings may be used on floors, walls, and doorways to reduce the risk of damage and slips.
Where work takes place in shared areas or on public footpaths, we will organise our activities to minimise obstruction and risk to others. Staff will maintain tidy work areas, avoid leaving trip hazards such as loose packing materials in walkways, and, where necessary, monitor entry and exit points while items are being moved.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All staff receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their roles, including manual handling, use of equipment, safe loading and unloading, and basic incident response. Training needs are reviewed periodically in line with changes in work practices, new equipment, or updated legal requirements.
Where less experienced staff are involved, they will be supervised by competent personnel who can provide guidance and ensure that safe methods are followed consistently.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible. Man with Van Barbican records these events and investigates their causes so that appropriate corrective actions can be taken and recurrence prevented.
We encourage honest and open reporting, with no victimisation of those who raise safety concerns. Lessons learned from incidents are shared with staff and reflected in updated procedures and training where required.
Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and following any significant change in our operations, legislation, or incident findings. We are committed to making continuous improvements to our safety performance and to involving our staff in the development of safer working practices.
By following this policy and working together, Man with Van Barbican aims to ensure that all removal and transport services are delivered in a manner that prioritises the health, safety, and wellbeing of everyone affected by our work.
