Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Crystal Palace

Man with Van Crystal Palace is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, transport, loading and unloading activities across our service areas.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health arising from our work activities and to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice. We recognise that effective health and safety management is an integral part of delivering reliable, professional removal services.

This policy is supported by procedures, method statements and risk assessments that guide our day-to-day operations. Management and staff are required to follow these arrangements and to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the management of Man with Van Crystal Palace. Management will provide the leadership, resources and information required to implement this policy, and will review our practices regularly to drive improvement.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for ensuring that removal and transport tasks are planned safely, that staff adhere to safe systems of work, and that any issues or incidents are reported promptly.

All employees and regular subcontractors are required to:

Follow instructions, training and safe working procedures.

Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly.

Report hazards, near misses, accidents or unsafe conditions immediately.

Cooperate with management in achieving high standards of health and safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for key tasks, including packing, lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and driving. These assessments identify hazards and set out control measures to reduce risks as far as reasonably practicable.

Before starting a job, our teams consider the specific features of each property, such as access routes, stairs, parking arrangements, and the type and size of items to be moved. Where necessary, we adjust the plan of work to account for confined spaces, uneven surfaces, limited access, or other local conditions.

Safe working practices are communicated to staff through training, briefings and written instructions. These practices cover manual handling, vehicle loading and securing of loads, use of equipment and dealing with unexpected situations during removals.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal work, and incorrect techniques can lead to injuries. To minimise risks, Man with Van Crystal Palace:

Provides training in safe lifting and carrying techniques.

Encourages team lifting for heavy or awkward items.

Uses appropriate handling aids where practicable, such as trolleys and straps.

Plans routes to avoid unnecessary carrying distances and obstacles.

Staff are instructed not to attempt lifting any item they believe is beyond their capability, and to request assistance or equipment whenever needed.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are central to our service and must be operated safely at all times. We ensure that drivers are competent, hold the appropriate driving licence, and understand their responsibilities for road safety and load security.

Vehicles are inspected regularly and maintained in a roadworthy condition. Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit, and weight limits for vehicles and lifting equipment are not exceeded.

Drivers are expected to obey all road traffic laws, adjust their driving to weather and traffic conditions, and take adequate breaks to avoid fatigue. Parking and access near collection and delivery addresses are assessed to minimise risks to staff, customers and the public.

Premises, Customer Properties and Public Safety

Our teams work in a wide range of residential and commercial properties. We aim to carry out our activities in a way that protects occupants, neighbours and passers-by.

We take care to keep access routes as clear as possible, use safe techniques when moving items through doors, stairways and corridors, and avoid creating trip hazards. Where loading or unloading must be carried out near public areas, we take steps to minimise obstruction and to warn others of activity.

We handle customer belongings with care to avoid damage that could create secondary hazards, such as broken glass or unstable stacks of items.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Man with Van Crystal Palace provides suitable tools and equipment to support safe removals, including trolleys, ramps and protective materials. All equipment is checked regularly and taken out of service if found to be defective.

Where the nature of the work requires it, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or high visibility clothing is provided and must be used as instructed. Employees are responsible for looking after issued equipment and reporting any damage or loss.

Training, Information and Supervision

Health and safety training is provided to new starters and updated periodically for existing staff. Training covers safe lifting, vehicle safety, incident reporting, and the specific risks associated with removal work.

Supervision is proportionate to the experience of the individuals and the complexity of the job. Less experienced staff are supported by senior team members who can provide guidance and ensure that safe practices are followed.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management without delay. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and to implement corrective actions, with the aim of preventing recurrence.

Our teams are briefed on basic emergency procedures, including what to do in case of fire, serious injury or other emergencies that may arise while working at customer locations or on the road. First aid resources are made available in vehicles or through designated first aiders where appropriate.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage staff to raise health and safety concerns and suggestions. Feedback from team members and customers is valued and used to improve our systems and procedures.

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, our services or our operating environment. All employees are informed of significant changes and are expected to familiarise themselves with the current version of the policy.

Policy Review and Availability

This policy is effective from the date of publication and will be reviewed at least annually, or sooner if there are significant changes to our operations or relevant legal requirements. A copy of this policy is available to employees and customers upon request and is communicated as part of our commitment to conducting removal services safely and responsibly.