Health and Safety policy

Catford Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Catford Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all 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 our services, including household moves, office relocations and general man and van operations.

We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver every removal job, from initial booking through to completion.

Management Responsibility and Commitment

The management of Catford Man and Van accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and will provide the resources, information and supervision needed to implement this policy. We are committed to complying with all applicable health and safety laws, regulations and recognised industry standards relevant to the removals and transport sector.

Management will regularly review this policy to ensure it remains suitable, adequate and effective, taking into account changes in legislation, company operations, best practice guidance and feedback from employees and customers.

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 at work. This includes colleagues, customers, visitors and members of the public.

Employees must:

Follow all safety instructions, training and procedures provided by the company.

Use correctly the equipment, tools and vehicles supplied, and report any defects immediately.

Cooperate with management on all health and safety matters, including participation in training and risk assessments where required.

Refrain from intentionally or recklessly interfering with or misusing anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare.

Report accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions promptly so that appropriate action can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before undertaking any removal, delivery or collection, Catford Man and Van will evaluate the risks involved and implement suitable control measures. This may include informal dynamic risk assessments conducted by the team on arrival at a property, as well as formal risk assessments for higher risk activities or locations.

Key factors considered include access routes, stairs, lifts, parking, manual handling requirements, weather conditions, traffic issues and any specific hazards within the premises. Where necessary, we will adjust the job method, allocate additional staff or equipment, or postpone work to ensure it can be carried out safely.

Safe systems of work will be developed and followed for tasks such as loading and unloading vehicles, packing and handling fragile or heavy items, using moving equipment and working in shared or public spaces.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a significant risk factor for injuries. Catford Man and Van is committed to minimising manual handling risks through a combination of training, task planning and the use of appropriate equipment.

Our staff are instructed in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, load assessment and the correct use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other moving aids. Where possible, loads will be broken down into manageable units and routes will be cleared of obstacles before moving heavy items.

Equipment will be maintained in good working order and inspected regularly. Any defective equipment must be taken out of service immediately and reported for repair or replacement.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

The safe operation of our vans is essential to protect drivers, passengers, customers and other road users. Only authorised and competent drivers are permitted to operate company vehicles. Drivers must hold a valid driving licence appropriate to the vehicle type and follow all road traffic laws at all times.

Vehicles will be kept in a roadworthy condition, with routine checks and servicing carried out in accordance with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements. Loads will be distributed and secured correctly to prevent shifting during transit, and vehicle weight limits will never be exceeded.

Drivers must not operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any medication that may impair their ability to drive safely. They are expected to drive considerately, allow sufficient time for journeys and avoid fatigue by taking appropriate breaks.

Customer and Public Safety

During our work, we are often present in homes, offices and shared spaces. We take care to protect customers, visitors and the general public from risks arising from our activities.

Where appropriate, we will cordon off work areas, use warning signs or verbally advise people to keep clear. Walkways and access routes will be kept as clear as reasonably practicable, and items will not be left in positions where they may cause trips, slips or falls.

Particular care is taken when loading or unloading vehicles at the roadside, with attention paid to traffic flow, visibility and the safe movement of large items across pavements and entrances.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive information and instruction relevant to their roles, including induction training on company health and safety procedures and job specific guidance on safe working practices. Additional training is provided when new equipment is introduced, when employees change roles or when risk assessments identify particular needs.

Supervisors and experienced team members monitor working practices on site to ensure that procedures are being followed and to provide support or corrective guidance where necessary. We encourage open communication about safety concerns so that improvements can be made.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We record these events and, where required, carry out investigations to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Lessons learned from incidents are shared with staff so that similar occurrences can be prevented in future. Where applicable, we will cooperate fully with any external investigations by relevant authorities.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise that the physical nature of removal work requires attention to employee health and fitness for work. Staff are expected to inform management if they have any medical condition, injury or concern that may affect their ability to carry out tasks safely.

We aim to schedule workloads sensibly, avoiding unnecessary time pressure that could encourage unsafe practices. Adequate rest breaks are encouraged, and staff are reminded to stay hydrated and to dress appropriately for the weather and the tasks they are performing.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Catford Man and Van is dedicated to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We will monitor our working practices, incident records and regulatory developments to identify opportunities for enhancement.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed at regular intervals and whenever significant changes occur in our operations or legal obligations. Updated versions will be communicated to all staff so that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and the standards expected.

By working together and following this policy, we aim to provide a professional, reliable and safe removal service for every customer.