Health and Safety policy

Enfield Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Enfield Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, subcontractors, customers, visitors 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 and ensuring that all work is carried out safely, responsibly and in line with relevant UK health and safety legislation and best practice.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health arising from our operations, including domestic and commercial moves, loading and unloading, transportation, packing and storage handling. We will provide appropriate resources, training and supervision to promote a strong health and safety culture throughout the company and within every removal project we undertake.

Management at all levels is responsible for implementing this policy, and every worker has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Enfield Man and Van will:

Assess the risks associated with our services, including lifting and carrying, vehicle movements, use of equipment, and work carried out at customer premises.

Ensure safe systems of work are developed, documented where required, communicated to staff and reviewed on a regular basis.

Provide and maintain vehicles, tools and equipment in a safe, roadworthy and serviceable condition, with necessary inspections and maintenance carried out at appropriate intervals.

Ensure that employees and regular subcontractors receive suitable induction and ongoing health and safety training relevant to their roles, including manual handling, use of lifting aids, safe driving and awareness of site-specific hazards.

Make sure that adequate welfare arrangements are available, such as access to rest breaks, hydration and sanitary facilities during longer jobs or extended travel.

Investigate all reportable accidents, incidents and near misses promptly, identify root causes and implement corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Regularly review this Health and Safety Policy to ensure it remains suitable, sufficient and effective in light of changing legislation, industry guidance and the evolving nature of our services.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and any subcontractors working on behalf of Enfield Man and Van are expected to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who might be affected by their work, including customers, colleagues and members of the public.

Follow all instructions, procedures and training provided by the company, particularly in relation to manual handling, safe loading and unloading, and vehicle operation.

Use vehicles, equipment, personal protective equipment and safety devices correctly and report any defects or concerns to management without delay.

Refrain from operating vehicles or equipment while under the influence of alcohol, illegal substances or any medication that may impair safe performance.

Report all accidents, injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions and hazards immediately so that appropriate action can be taken.

Cooperate with any investigation, training initiative or improvement measure introduced to enhance health and safety performance.

Safe Working Practices for Removals

Our removal and transport activities involve specific risks which we manage through safe working practices, including:

Carrying out pre-job assessments of access routes, parking arrangements, staircases, lifts, doorways and loading areas to identify hazards and plan safe methods of work.

Using correct manual handling techniques, working in teams where items are heavy or awkward, and employing mechanical aids or trolleys where reasonably practicable.

Ensuring loads are stable, secure and evenly distributed in the vehicle, and that weight limits for vehicles, lifts and staircases are respected at all times.

Maintaining good housekeeping in vehicles and work areas to reduce slips, trips and falls, including keeping walkways clear of packaging materials, tools and debris.

Taking particular care when handling fragile, sharp or hazardous items, using appropriate packing materials and protection to minimise risk of injury and damage.

Managing traffic and parking safely, including safe reversing practices, the use of a banksman where necessary, and avoiding obstruction of public highways and access points.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

Safe operation of vehicles is essential to our services and is managed as follows:

Drivers must hold a valid and appropriate driving licence and must comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations at all times.

Vehicles are subject to regular checks, including pre-use inspections by drivers and scheduled servicing and maintenance in accordance with manufacturer instructions and legal requirements.

Drivers must plan routes with safety in mind, considering journey times, rest breaks, loading restrictions and access to customer premises.

Mobile phones or other devices must only be used in compliance with road safety laws and must never distract the driver from safe vehicle control.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer addresses or commercial locations, we will:

Respect and adhere to any on-site safety rules and cooperate with site managers where applicable.

Take reasonable steps to protect customers, neighbours, passers-by and other contractors from risks arising from our activities, including the use of warning signs or barriers where necessary.

Minimise noise, obstruction and disruption, and promptly clear away waste packaging and materials at the end of the job.

Training, Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Enfield Man and Van recognises that effective health and safety management depends on competent people and open communication. We will:

Provide appropriate induction training covering core safety topics before staff undertake operational duties.

Offer refresher training and toolbox talks to reinforce safe working practices, share lessons from incidents and adapt to changes in procedures or equipment.

Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage suggestions for improving safety standards and reducing risks during removal operations.

Monitor performance using accident data, inspections and feedback, and implement improvements to processes, equipment and training as required.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there is a significant change in our activities, organisational structure or relevant legislation. The updated policy will be communicated to employees and made available to customers and other interested parties on request.

By working together and following this policy, Enfield Man and Van aims to deliver reliable removal and transport services while protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.