Health and Safety policy

Dartford Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Dartford 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 transportation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risk and ensuring that our services are delivered as safely as reasonably practicable.

Our Commitment to Health and Safety

We recognise our responsibility to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and to follow industry best practice for removal and transport operations. Management at Dartford Man and Van actively promotes a positive safety culture and expects all workers to share this commitment.

We aim to prevent accidents, injuries, work-related ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures across all jobs, from small local moves to larger home and office relocations.

Health and Safety Objectives

To support our commitment, Dartford Man and Van has set the following health and safety objectives:

To provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, and systems of work for all removal activities.
To ensure that employees are suitably trained, competent, and supervised for the tasks they perform.
To minimise manual handling risks when lifting, carrying, and transporting items.
To protect customers, visitors, and members of the public from risks associated with our operations.
To continually improve our health and safety performance through monitoring, review, and learning from incidents.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy. Management is responsible for:

Ensuring this policy is communicated, understood, and reviewed at regular intervals.
Providing appropriate equipment, personal protective equipment, and training.
Ensuring that risk assessments are completed and control measures implemented.

All employees and contractors of Dartford Man and Van are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Following safe systems of work, training, and instructions provided.
Using equipment correctly and reporting defects, hazards, or near misses without delay.
Cooperating with management in meeting health and safety requirements.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our removal and transportation activities, including house moves, office relocations, packing, loading, and unloading. These assessments consider risks such as manual handling, vehicle movements, working at height, slips and trips, and working in or around customer premises.

Based on these assessments, Dartford Man and Van implements safe systems of work that may include route planning, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, safe lifting techniques, securing loads, and maintaining clear access routes at properties and in vehicles.

Manual Handling and Lifting Operations

Manual handling is a key aspect of our removal services, and we take particular care to manage associated risks. Our approach includes:

Providing training on correct lifting and carrying techniques to reduce the risk of injury.
Encouraging team lifting for heavy or awkward items and avoiding single-person lifts where unsafe.
Using appropriate handling aids such as dollies, sack trucks, and furniture sliders where possible.
Planning removal routes within properties to avoid unnecessary carrying, stairs where possible, and obstacles.

Employees must not attempt to lift or move loads that they believe may cause injury and are expected to seek assistance or alternative methods.

Vehicles, Driving, and Road Safety

Dartford Man and Van maintains its vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular checks and servicing. Drivers are required to:

Hold the appropriate valid driving licence for the vehicle they operate.
Carry out daily vehicle checks and report defects immediately.
Drive considerately, observing speed limits and road regulations.
Secure all loads properly to prevent movement or damage during transit.
Plan journeys to allow sufficient time, reducing the need for rushing and unsafe driving practices.

We expect all staff to remain fit to drive and to report any medical or legal issues affecting their ability to drive safely.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise that our removal work often takes place in and around occupied homes, offices, and public areas. Dartford Man and Van takes reasonable steps to protect customers and the public by:

Maintaining clear walkways and access routes during loading and unloading.
Using safe lifting and carrying practices to avoid dropping or striking objects.
Positioning vehicles safely to minimise obstruction and risk to pedestrians.
Providing clear communication with customers about any temporary hazards during the move.

Customers are requested to keep children and pets away from working areas and to follow any safety guidance issued by our team on site.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide suitable equipment for removal activities, and ensure it is maintained and used correctly. Where necessary, personal protective equipment such as gloves and safety footwear is provided and must be worn as instructed.

Employees must not tamper with or misuse equipment and are required to report any damage or faults so that they can be rectified promptly.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Dartford Man and Van is committed to providing adequate health and safety training to all staff. This may include induction training for new starters, task-specific training such as manual handling and load securing, and refresher training where required.

Employees receive information on the risks associated with their roles and the control measures in place. Supervisors and experienced team members provide guidance and oversight, especially where complex or high-risk moves are involved.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Dartford Man and Van investigates such incidents to identify causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Accident records are maintained and reviewed periodically to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals, or sooner if there are significant changes to our operations, legislation, or following any serious incident.

Dartford Man and Van is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety. We welcome feedback from employees and customers on safety matters and take such feedback into account when updating our procedures.

Policy Implementation

This Health and Safety Policy applies to all removal and transport work undertaken by Dartford Man and Van. Compliance with this policy is a condition of employment and a requirement for any contractors working on our behalf. By working together and adhering to the principles and procedures set out in this document, we aim to maintain a safe environment for everyone involved in our services.