Health and Safety policy

Dagenham Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Dagenham 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 policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks in connection with home moves, office relocations, loading and unloading, driving, and all associated services.

Policy Statement and Objectives

The primary objective of this Health and Safety policy is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and unsafe practices in all areas of our operations. Management recognises its legal and moral responsibilities and will take all reasonably practicable steps to:

Identify hazards associated with removal work, transport and manual handling.

Assess the risks arising from those hazards.

Implement appropriate controls to eliminate or minimise risks.

Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to employees.

Review and improve our health and safety performance on a regular basis.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management. Management will ensure that sufficient resources, time and support are made available to implement this policy effectively.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day implementation of safe systems of work, including vehicle loading, route planning, equipment checks and on-site safety during moves.

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 all safety instructions and procedures provided by the company.

Use equipment and vehicles correctly and report defects immediately.

Cooperate with managers and colleagues to promote safe working practices.

Report accidents, incidents and near misses without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We undertake risk assessments for our typical activities, including domestic and commercial removals, packing services, collection and delivery of items and short-distance transportation. These assessments identify hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, working in confined spaces like stairwells, vehicle movements, loading and unloading risks and handling fragile or bulky items.

From these assessments, safe systems of work are developed and communicated to staff. These include guidance on safe lifting techniques, maximum load weights, team lifting procedures, securing loads within vehicles, use of moving equipment, and maintaining safe access routes at properties and loading areas.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key part of removal work. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury, we:

Train staff in correct lifting, carrying and team-handling methods.

Use appropriate equipment such as sack trucks, moving dollies, furniture blankets and straps where suitable.

Encourage staff to assess the load and environment before lifting and to request assistance for heavy or awkward items.

Prohibit unsafe lifting practices, such as twisting while carrying heavy loads or attempting to move items beyond an individual’s capability.

All tools and equipment used during moves are maintained in good condition. Defective equipment must be taken out of service immediately and reported to management.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Safe operation of vehicles is essential to protect our staff, customers and other road users. We ensure that:

Vehicles are suitable for the nature and volume of loads carried.

Regular inspections and maintenance are carried out in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.

Drivers hold the appropriate licences and are competent to drive the vehicles they are assigned.

Loads are packed, stacked and secured so that they cannot move during transit, and weight is distributed safely.

Drivers follow all road traffic laws, drive responsibly, plan routes safely and take rest breaks as required to prevent fatigue.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work at customer homes, offices, storage facilities and other premises. We are committed to minimising disruption and ensuring safety wherever we operate. To protect customers and the public, we:

Maintain clear walkways and avoid blocking fire exits and escape routes.

Use warning signs or verbal warnings where necessary, particularly when moving large or heavy items through shared areas.

Take care to prevent trips, slips and falls by managing trailing cables, packing materials and tools.

Handle customer property carefully to avoid damage and maintain safe stacking of boxes and furniture during loading and unloading.

Training, Information and Supervision

All new employees receive an introduction to our health and safety procedures before starting operational duties. This includes safe lifting, vehicle safety, working at customer premises and reporting procedures. Ongoing training is provided when there are changes in work methods, equipment or relevant legislation.

Supervision is provided to ensure safe practices are followed, particularly for new or inexperienced staff. Information on policies and procedures is communicated in clear, understandable language, and employees are encouraged to raise safety concerns at any time.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. We maintain records and investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Where required, incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities in accordance with applicable regulations.

Lessons learned from incidents are shared with staff to prevent recurrence and to continually improve our health and safety standards.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the importance of employee wellbeing in maintaining safe operations. Staff are expected to present themselves fit for work and free from the influence of alcohol or drugs. Anyone who feels unwell, overly fatigued or unable to carry out tasks safely must inform their supervisor immediately.

We take reasonable steps to accommodate employees with health conditions that may affect their work, including task adjustments where appropriate, provided safety is not compromised.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is monitored and reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our removal and transport services. Reviews may be carried out following significant changes to our operations, new legal requirements, or after serious incidents.

We are committed to continuous improvement and welcome feedback from employees and customers on any aspect of health and safety. By working together, we aim to ensure that every move and delivery is completed safely, efficiently and with respect for people, property and the wider community.