Man and Van London Health and Safety Policy

Man and Van London is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our 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 objectives, responsibilities and safe working practices for all work associated with our man and van and removals services.

Policy Statement

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment during all stages of our operations, including packing, lifting, loading, transport, unloading and disposal or recycling of items. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that health and safety considerations are an integral part of planning and delivering our services.

This policy applies to all employees and workers engaged by Man and Van London, as well as any subcontractors working under our control. We expect all parties to cooperate with us in implementing this policy and maintaining safe standards at all times.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective health and safety arrangements. This includes:

Assessing the risks associated with our removal and transport activities and implementing appropriate control measures.

Ensuring that vehicles, lifting equipment and tools used for removals are suitable, well maintained and safe to operate.

Providing information, instruction, training and supervision so that employees are competent to carry out their duties safely.

Ensuring safe systems of work for manual handling, route planning, loading and unloading, and working at customers properties.

Monitoring health and safety performance and reviewing this policy regularly to support continual improvement.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees have 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. Employees are expected to:

Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided by Man and Van London.

Use vehicles, equipment, protective clothing and tools correctly and report any defects or concerns immediately.

Cooperate with management in carrying out risk assessments and implementing control measures.

Report accidents, incidents, near misses, hazards or unsafe practices without delay.

Refrain from any behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers or the public, including working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We will carry out risk assessments for our key activities, taking into account the nature of the premises, access routes, parking, stairways, lifts, heavy and awkward items, and any specific customer requirements.

Safe systems of work will be developed and implemented for, but not limited to, the following:

Moving and handling of heavy or bulky items such as furniture, appliances and boxes.

Use of trolleys, dollies, moving straps and other handling aids.

Loading and unloading vehicles to prevent falls, trips, slips and falling objects.

Securing loads within vehicles to prevent movement during transit.

Working on or near roads, driveways and shared access areas to minimise traffic risks.

Where site conditions present additional hazards, our teams will adapt the work plan in consultation with the customer, prioritising safety at all times.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core element of our service and presents a significant potential for injury if not properly controlled. We will:

Provide training in correct lifting and carrying techniques, team lifts and use of handling equipment.

Encourage staff to assess each lift before starting work, considering weight, shape, distance and route.

Provide suitable handling aids such as trolleys, barrows and moving straps wherever reasonably practicable.

Ensure that employees do not attempt to lift loads that are beyond their capability and request additional help where needed.

All equipment provided by Man and Van London will be checked regularly to ensure it remains safe and fit for purpose.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our removal and man and van services and will be managed with safety as a priority. We will:

Ensure that vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in a roadworthy condition.

Require drivers to hold the appropriate licences and to follow all road traffic rules and safe driving practices.

Plan routes and schedules to reduce driver fatigue and allow realistic journey times.

Ensure loads are distributed and secured correctly to maintain vehicle stability and prevent movement in transit.

Take particular care when operating in residential areas, narrow streets and busy service locations, ensuring consideration for pedestrians and other road users.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams frequently work at customers homes, offices and other premises. We will:

Take care to protect floors, walls and fixtures from damage and reduce trip hazards by managing cables, tools and packaging.

Maintain clear access routes where possible and communicate with customers about any temporary obstructions.

Position vehicles safely to minimise disruption to neighbours and to maintain emergency access routes.

Use safe techniques when working on staircases, in confined spaces or in shared entrances and corridors.

Be respectful of noise levels and working hours, especially in residential environments.

Training, Information and Supervision

We will provide appropriate induction and ongoing training to all employees relevant to their roles, covering topics such as manual handling, safe loading, vehicle safety and personal protective equipment. Additional training will be provided as our services, equipment or legal requirements evolve.

Supervisors and experienced team members will monitor working practices, provide guidance on site and support less experienced staff to work safely and efficiently.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will investigate these events to identify root causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Employees will be briefed on emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, road traffic incidents or other emergencies during removal operations. First aid equipment will be available in vehicles or at appropriate locations.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in our operations, industry standards or applicable legislation. Feedback from employees, customers and other stakeholders is welcome and will be used to improve our safety performance.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Man and Van London aims to deliver professional, efficient and safe removal services for every customer.