Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Croydon Man and Van

Croydon 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 removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our objectives, responsibilities and key procedures to manage risk during local and regional moves, collections and deliveries.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our operations. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures throughout all aspects of our removal services, including packing, loading, transportation and unloading of goods.

We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, codes of practice and industry guidance applicable to removal and light transport services. Health and safety performance is considered an integral part of our business planning and day-to-day decision making.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management is responsible for ensuring that adequate resources, information and training are provided to maintain safe working practices. Management will:

Define health and safety roles and responsibilities for all employees involved in removal operations.

Ensure risk assessments are carried out, documented where appropriate, and reviewed regularly.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and tools suitable for removal work.

Promote a positive health and safety culture where concerns can be raised without fear of reprisal.

Monitor performance and investigate incidents, near misses and complaints promptly to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has 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 must:

Follow company safety procedures and instructions from supervisors and managers.

Use vehicles, lifting aids and other equipment only for their intended purpose and in accordance with training received.

Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions or damaged equipment immediately.

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment where required, such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing.

Refrain from horseplay, dangerous behaviour or working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We conduct risk assessments for our key activities, including domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading goods, transporting items and working in customer premises. These assessments identify potential hazards such as manual handling injuries, slips and trips, falls from vehicles, traffic movements, confined spaces and challenging access routes.

Based on these assessments, safe systems of work are developed and communicated to staff. These may include guidance on team lifting, safe use of trolleys and ramps, securing loads inside vehicles, planning vehicle positions at collection and delivery points, and managing work in shared or restricted spaces.

Manual Handling and Heavy Items

Manual handling is a core element of our service, so particular attention is paid to reducing the risk of strains, sprains and back injuries. Measures include:

Providing manual handling training that covers correct lifting techniques, posture and team coordination.

Using handling equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, straps and ramps wherever reasonably practicable.

Planning moves to avoid unnecessary carrying distances and to minimise handling on stairs and uneven ground.

Assessing particularly heavy, awkward or fragile items before moving them and assigning sufficient personnel and equipment.

Encouraging staff to stop and seek assistance if an item is too heavy or difficult to move safely.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are central to our operation and must be operated safely at all times to protect drivers, passengers, customers and other road users. Croydon Man and Van will:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in a roadworthy condition.

Check that drivers hold valid licences suitable for the vehicles they operate and are medically fit to drive.

Provide guidance on safe driving, route planning, parking and reversing, particularly in busy or restricted areas.

Require that loads are properly distributed and securely restrained to prevent movement during transit.

Discourage use of mobile phones while driving, except where legally compliant hands-free kits are used and only when it is safe to do so.

Working at Customer Premises

Our teams frequently work in customers homes, offices and commercial premises. To control risks in these environments we will:

Conduct a visual assessment on arrival to identify hazards such as poor lighting, slippery surfaces, trip hazards, narrow staircases and low ceilings.

Agree access routes with the customer and keep them as clear and unobstructed as possible.

Use protective coverings where necessary to prevent slips, trips or damage to floors.

Take particular care around children, pets and other occupants to avoid contact with moving loads or vehicles.

Respect customer property and ensure tools, equipment and packing materials are kept tidy and safely stored.

Training, Information and Supervision

Croydon Man and Van provides appropriate health and safety training for all employees, consistent with their roles and responsibilities. Training may include:

Induction training for new starters on company policies, accident reporting and emergency procedures.

Instruction on manual handling, vehicle safety, use of lifting aids and safe loading and unloading techniques.

Refresher training when procedures change, new risks are identified or new equipment is introduced.

Supervision is provided to ensure that safe practices are implemented and maintained. Managers and team leaders are expected to lead by example and reinforce safety standards during daily operations.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Details will be recorded and investigated to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. We will cooperate with any official investigations and keep appropriate records in line with legal requirements.

Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as vehicle collisions, personal injury, fire and property damage while carrying out removal work. Staff are informed of these procedures and are expected to follow them calmly and promptly, prioritising the safety of people over property.

Consultation and Policy Review

Croydon Man and Van encourages employees to contribute ideas for improving health and safety and to raise concerns openly. Reasonable suggestions will be considered and, where appropriate, incorporated into our procedures and training.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly, and at least annually, to ensure it remains relevant to our removal and transport activities, reflects current legislation and continues to protect the wellbeing of everyone affected by our work.

All staff and contractors are required to familiarise themselves with this policy and apply its principles during every job, from small local moves to larger and more complex removal projects.