Health and Safety Policy for Man and Van Swiss Cottage

Man and Van Swiss Cottage 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 removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, unloading, and transporting goods, as well as working in and around residential and commercial properties.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property or the environment arising from our operations. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing effective control measures, and continuously improving our health and safety performance.

We recognise our duty to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and relevant industry guidance. We also expect every employee and contractor working with Man and Van Swiss Cottage to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for ensuring that this Health and Safety Policy is implemented, maintained, and reviewed regularly. This includes allocating adequate resources, monitoring performance, and promoting a positive health and safety culture throughout the company.

Managers and supervisors will:

Ensure that all staff receive appropriate health and safety training for their role, including manual handling, safe driving, and use of equipment. Provide suitable tools, vehicles, and protective equipment to allow tasks to be carried out safely. Plan removal jobs to minimise risks, including considering access routes, parking, loading areas, and time constraints. Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Review risk assessments and procedures regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our work activities.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, including drivers, porters, and supervisors, have a duty to follow this policy and cooperate with the company to ensure a safe working environment. Employees must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their work. Follow safe working procedures, instructions, and training provided by the company. Use equipment, vehicles, and protective gear only for their intended purpose and report any defects immediately. Refrain from unsafe practices, horseplay, or behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk. Report hazards, near misses, accidents, or health and safety concerns to management as soon as possible.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man and Van Swiss Cottage will carry out risk assessments for typical removal activities, including lifting and carrying items, loading and unloading vehicles, driving, working in confined spaces such as stairwells, and handling fragile or heavy goods.

For each job, staff will consider potential hazards such as uneven surfaces, restricted access, weather conditions, traffic, and customer premises layouts. Where necessary, additional control measures will be implemented, such as using trolleys, lifting straps, or additional staff members for heavy or awkward items.

Safe systems of work will be established and communicated to employees, including guidance on route planning, vehicle checks, securing loads, and safe entry and exit from properties.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our removal services and presents significant risk of injury if not carried out correctly. To reduce these risks, Man and Van Swiss Cottage will:

Provide manual handling training to all operational staff, covering correct lifting techniques, team lifting, and use of handling equipment. Encourage staff to assess each lift before carrying it out, considering the weight, size, shape, and stability of items to be moved. Promote the use of mechanical aids, such as dollies or sack trucks, where appropriate. Set clear limits on individual lifting and insist that heavy or bulky items are moved by two or more people.

Vehicles, Driving, and Load Security

Our vehicles are essential to our operations, and their safe use is a priority. Man and Van Swiss Cottage will ensure that vehicles are properly maintained, inspected, and suitable for the tasks required.

Drivers must carry out basic pre-use checks, report defects promptly, and follow company procedures for vehicle safety. Loads must be distributed evenly and secured using straps, blankets, and restraints as appropriate to prevent movement during transit and reduce the risk of injury or damage.

Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, drive responsibly, and adapt to weather and traffic conditions. The use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving is strictly prohibited unless using approved hands-free systems in line with current regulations.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams frequently work in and around customer homes, business premises, and public spaces. We will take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors, neighbours, and passers-by from risks arising from our work.

This includes keeping access routes clear where possible, managing trip hazards such as trailing cables or packing materials, and using warning signs or verbal warnings when moving large items through shared or public areas. Staff will show respect for customer property and take care to avoid damage to fixtures, fittings, and surfaces.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where necessary, Man and Van Swiss Cottage will provide appropriate personal protective equipment, such as protective gloves, safety footwear, and high-visibility clothing. Employees are required to use this equipment correctly and look after it, reporting any damage or need for replacement to management.

Training, Communication, and Consultation

The company will provide induction and ongoing training to ensure that employees are aware of the hazards associated with their work and understand how to manage them safely. Health and safety information will be communicated through briefings, job instructions, and periodic updates.

We encourage open communication about health and safety issues and will consult with employees when introducing new equipment, working methods, or procedures that may affect their safety.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported to management and recorded. Where required by law, incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities. We will investigate incidents to identify underlying causes and put appropriate measures in place to prevent recurrence.

Emergency arrangements, such as what to do in case of fire, injury, or vehicle breakdown, will be explained to staff. Employees must familiarise themselves with these procedures and follow them when necessary.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

Man and Van Swiss Cottage is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We will monitor compliance with this policy, review our procedures periodically, and update this document when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, or our operations.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at least annually and whenever significant changes occur in our business activities. All employees are required to cooperate fully in its implementation and to contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone involved in our services.