Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van London

Man and a Van London is committed to providing a professional and safe removal service for customers, employees, subcontractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, loading and unloading, driving, and work in and around customers premises.

We aim to prevent injury and ill health, comply with applicable health and safety legislation, and continuously improve our safety performance across all moving and transport activities.

Management Responsibilities and Commitment

The management of Man and a Van London accepts overall responsibility for health and safety. We will provide the resources, planning and supervision necessary to ensure that work is carried out safely and without risk to health.

Management will regularly review this policy to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with current legal requirements and best practice within the removal industry. Any significant changes to our operations or service area will be accompanied by a review of associated risks and controls.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and subcontractor working with Man and a Van London 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. All staff are required to:

Follow company procedures, safe systems of work and instructions from supervisors.
Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Report accidents, near misses, hazards or unsafe conditions as soon as they are identified.
Cooperate with any risk assessments, safety inspections or investigations.

Failure to follow health and safety procedures may result in removal from duty or further action as appropriate.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before commencing any removal or delivery work, we will, where reasonably practicable, conduct a risk assessment of the job. This may include a pre-move survey, review of access routes, parking arrangements, stairways, lifts and any special handling requirements.

Based on the findings of the assessment, appropriate control measures will be implemented, such as:

Planning sufficient staff for the size and complexity of the move.
Using equipment such as trolleys and lifting aids where necessary.
Adapting working methods to account for confined spaces, awkward items or restricted access.
Adjusting schedules to reduce time pressure that could lead to unsafe practices.

Staff are briefed on the tasks, risks and required precautions before work begins.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal services and carries a significant risk of injury if not managed carefully. Man and a Van London is committed to:

Providing training in safe lifting and carrying techniques.
Encouraging team lifting for heavy or bulky items.
Using appropriate handling equipment where available and practicable.
Avoiding unnecessary carrying by planning safe loading and unloading sequences.

Staff must not attempt to lift or move items that are beyond their capability or that cannot be handled safely with the available resources. Any concerns about weight, size or stability of items must be reported immediately.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our operations and are maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition. We are committed to:

Ensuring vehicles are regularly inspected and serviced by competent persons.
Checking tyres, lights, mirrors, securing points and safety equipment before use.
Loading vehicles to remain within legal weight limits and to ensure loads are stable and properly secured.
Encouraging safe driving practices, compliance with speed limits and traffic regulations, and avoidance of fatigue.

Drivers must report defects, collisions or near misses promptly so that corrective actions can be taken.

Working at Customers Premises

Our teams often work in residential and commercial properties. To protect customers, their property and the public, we will:

Respect and follow any site-specific safety rules communicated by customers or building managers.
Maintain clear access routes, avoiding trip hazards such as trailing cables and loose packaging.
Protect floors, walls and doorways where reasonably practicable to reduce risk of damage and injury.
Use caution when moving items through shared spaces, stairwells and entrances.

Customers and other persons are requested to keep a safe distance from lifting and carrying activities and to follow any reasonable safety instructions given by our staff.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where identified by risk assessment, Man and a Van London will provide appropriate personal protective equipment such as safety footwear, gloves and high-visibility clothing. Staff are required to wear this equipment as instructed and to keep it in good condition.

Any loss, damage or defect in personal protective equipment must be reported so that replacements can be arranged promptly.

Training, Information and Supervision

We recognise that competent and informed staff are central to safe operations. Man and a Van London will:

Provide induction training on company health and safety procedures to new starters.
Offer task-specific training on manual handling, vehicle use, safe loading and unloading, and use of equipment.
Supervise less experienced staff and monitor working practices on an ongoing basis.
Refresh training where there are changes to equipment, procedures or legislation, or where monitoring highlights a need.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported as soon as reasonably practicable. This allows us to investigate root causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence. Where required, incidents will be recorded in our internal systems and kept for reference and improvement.

Our staff receive guidance on how to respond in an emergency, including fire, injury, road traffic incidents and sudden illness. This includes ensuring that emergency services can access the scene quickly and that any immediate risks are controlled as far as possible.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Man and a Van London encourages feedback from employees and customers on health and safety matters. Concerns, suggestions or observations can be raised with management at any time and will be considered as part of our continuous improvement process.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed at regular intervals, and whenever significant changes occur in our operations or relevant laws. Updated versions will be communicated to staff and made available to customers on request.

By working together and following this policy, we aim to deliver reliable, efficient and above all safe removal services across our operating area.