Health and Safety Policy for Man And Van Lissongrove

This health and safety policy sets out the principles that guide Man and Van Lissongrove in carrying out removals, deliveries, loading, unloading, and related transport tasks safely and responsibly. Our aim is to protect staff, customers, visitors, and anyone who may be affected by our operations. We believe that safe working is an essential part of reliable service, and that every job should be planned with care, attention, and practical risk control.

We are committed to maintaining a working environment where hazards are identified early and managed effectively. This includes safe handling of goods, secure vehicle use, suitable manual handling methods, and clear communication between team members. All workers are expected to take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others, and to act promptly if a concern arises. Good judgement, steady organisation, and respect for procedures are central to the way Man and Van Lissongrove operates.

Before any task begins, a basic assessment should be made of the job, the route, the items being moved, and any likely risks such as narrow access, slippery surfaces, heavy objects, or awkward carrying conditions. If conditions change during the work, the task should be paused and reassessed. Where necessary, additional assistance, equipment, or a revised method should be used to reduce the chance of injury or damage.

Responsibilities and Safe Working Standards

Management is responsible for making sure that workers are informed, equipped, and supervised appropriately. Staff should receive clear instruction on lifting techniques, vehicle loading, securing items, and safe behaviour on site. Equipment used for moving goods must be suitable for the task and kept in usable condition. Any defect, weakness, or unsafe feature should be reported immediately so that it can be addressed without delay. Safety checks are part of normal working practice, not an extra step.

Employees and contractors must follow safe methods at all times, use provided equipment correctly, and avoid taking unnecessary risks. They should not attempt to move items that are too heavy, unstable, or difficult to handle without support. When needed, team lifting should be arranged to reduce strain and improve control. It is expected that everyone works in a calm, organised manner, avoiding haste that could cause an accident.

Vehicle safety is also a key part of this policy. Every van used for work should be kept roadworthy, clean, and organised so that items do not shift during transit. Loads must be distributed properly and restrained securely. Drivers should ensure that mirrors, lights, tyres, brakes, and other essential parts are checked regularly. Safe driving behaviour is required at all times, including adherence to speed limits, rest breaks where appropriate, and awareness of weather and traffic conditions.

Handling, Loading, and Site Safety

Manual handling is one of the most important areas of risk control within man and van services. Wherever possible, workers should plan the movement of goods before lifting begins. This includes checking the weight, shape, fragility, and route of each item. Safe posture, stable footing, and controlled movement should be used. If an object is too awkward to manage alone, help should be requested. Protecting backs, shoulders, and hands is a priority, and repeated strain should be avoided.

Loading and unloading should be carried out in a way that prevents items from falling, breaking, or blocking safe access. Paths, doorways, ramps, and vehicle entrances should be kept as clear as possible. Workers should be alert to trip hazards, poor lighting, wet surfaces, and moving vehicles. When working in shared spaces, extra care must be taken to protect the public and to minimise disruption. The same careful approach applies whether the job involves a single item or a full van load.

Where tools, trolleys, straps, blankets, or other handling aids are used, they should be selected for suitability and used correctly. These items help reduce physical effort and improve stability, but only when used with care. No one should improvise unsafe lifting methods or overload equipment beyond its capacity. Good housekeeping is expected throughout each job so that packaging, loose materials, and waste do not create hazards.

Training, Reporting, and Incident Response

Training and awareness are essential to maintaining a strong safety culture. Workers should understand how to recognise hazards, follow safe procedures, and respond appropriately in an emergency. Refreshers should be provided when work methods change or when new risks are identified. A well-informed team is better able to support consistent standards across all assignments, and this helps Man And Van Lissongrove maintain dependable operations.

All accidents, near misses, injuries, and unsafe conditions should be reported as soon as possible. Prompt reporting allows lessons to be learned and corrective action to be taken. Minor incidents should not be ignored, because small problems can indicate larger weaknesses in systems or behaviour. Records should be kept where appropriate so that trends can be reviewed and improvements made.

In the event of an incident, immediate action should focus on protecting people from further harm. First aid should be sought where necessary, the area should be made safe, and relevant support should be arranged. If a vehicle fault, load issue, or site hazard contributes to the incident, the activity should stop until the matter has been addressed. This approach helps ensure that problems are contained quickly and handled responsibly.

Review and Continuous Improvement

Health and safety arrangements should be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain suitable and effective. Changes in workload, equipment, vehicle type, weather, or job location may introduce new hazards that require different controls. Reviews should consider whether procedures are being followed, whether training remains adequate, and whether further improvements can be made. The aim is to create a working system that is practical, reliable, and easy to apply.

Man and Van Lissongrove is committed to continuous improvement in all aspects of safe working. By keeping procedures clear, encouraging responsible behaviour, and responding quickly to risks, we can reduce accidents and maintain a professional standard of service. Everyone involved in the business has a part to play in supporting a safe and healthy workplace.

This policy reflects our expectation that all work is completed with care, respect, and attention to the wellbeing of everyone involved. Safe operations depend on planning, communication, and consistent effort. By following this policy, Man and Van Lissongrove aims to provide a service that is not only efficient, but also safe, controlled, and dependable.