Health and Safety policy

Waterloo Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Waterloo Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks arising from our work and supports continual improvement in our practices.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, protect health and minimise risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, unloading and transporting goods. We seek to integrate health and safety considerations into all aspects of our removal operations, from planning and scheduling to the completion of each job.

We aim to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards. Management accepts overall responsibility for ensuring that appropriate resources, equipment, information, instruction and supervision are provided to achieve these goals.

Responsibilities and Management Commitment

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the management of Waterloo Man and Van. Management will:

Provide and maintain safe systems of work for removal and transport activities. Ensure that vehicles, equipment and tools are in safe working order and suitable for their intended use. Plan work so that health and safety risks are identified, assessed and controlled as far as reasonably practicable. Review this policy regularly and update it when necessary.

Employees at all levels have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff are expected to co-operate with management, follow safety procedures, use equipment correctly and report hazards, incidents or near misses without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our removal and delivery services, including domestic and commercial moves, to identify significant hazards and implement appropriate control measures. Typical risks include manual handling injuries, trips and falls, vehicle-related incidents, property damage and risks associated with working in unfamiliar premises.

Risk assessments inform our safe working practices, which include:

Planning each job to consider access routes, parking, loading areas and any site-specific restrictions. Assessing the nature, size and weight of items to be moved and determining the safest handling methods. Ensuring that team sizes are adequate for the work to be completed safely. Using suitable equipment and techniques to minimise manual handling risks.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a central part of our removal services. To reduce the risk of strain, sprain and back injuries, we:

Provide guidance and instruction in safe lifting, carrying and team-handling techniques. Encourage staff to assess each lift and seek assistance where loads are heavy, awkward or unstable. Use moving aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and ramps where appropriate. Avoid unnecessary lifting by planning routes and vehicle layouts efficiently.

All handling equipment and vehicle loading accessories are maintained in good condition and inspected regularly. Staff are instructed in the correct and safe use of this equipment and must not use any item that appears defective or unsafe.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our operations and must be operated safely at all times. We are committed to:

Maintaining vehicles in roadworthy condition, with regular servicing, checks and inspections. Ensuring that loads are distributed and secured safely to prevent movement during transit. Providing information and guidance on safe driving practices, including defensive driving and adherence to speed limits. Planning routes to reduce unnecessary mileage, stress and time pressure on drivers.

Drivers are required to carry out basic pre-use checks, report any defects immediately and follow all road traffic laws. They must not drive while impaired by fatigue, illness, alcohol, drugs or any substance that may affect their ability to drive safely.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, their property and members of the public while carrying out removal activities. Our teams will:

Work in a careful and considerate manner in and around customer premises. Keep walkways, entrances and stairs as clear as reasonably practicable while moving items. Use warning and control measures where there is a risk of trips, falls or contact with moving loads. Avoid blocking emergency exits or access routes with vehicles or goods.

Customers are requested to keep children and pets away from active work areas and to alert our team to any known hazards, such as loose flooring, low ceilings, fragile surfaces or restricted access.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide appropriate training and instruction so that employees understand their health and safety responsibilities and can work safely and competently. This includes induction training for new staff and ongoing guidance on safe lifting, vehicle loading, use of equipment and incident reporting.

Supervisors and experienced team members monitor work practices on site and provide direction, especially where there are new staff, complex moves or additional risks. We encourage open communication so that staff feel able to raise concerns or suggestions for improving safety.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported promptly to management. This enables us to investigate causes, implement corrective actions and learn from events to prevent recurrence.

In the event of an emergency, such as fire, serious injury or road traffic collision, our employees are instructed to follow site or local emergency procedures, contact the appropriate emergency services and notify management as soon as it is safe to do so.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Waterloo Man and Van is committed to continually improving its health and safety performance. We review this policy periodically and after any significant change in our operations or relevant legislation. Lessons learned from incidents, customer feedback and staff suggestions are considered in these reviews.

This Health and Safety Policy is communicated to all employees and is made available to customers and others on request. By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, we aim to deliver our removal services in a safe, responsible and professional manner.