Man and a Van London Health and Safety Policy
Man and a 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 outlines the principles and arrangements we follow to manage risks associated with moving, handling, loading, unloading, and transporting goods.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aim of this policy is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures for all removal and delivery services. Our objectives are to:
Promote a proactive safety culture across the company.
Ensure that all work is carried out in a manner that protects people and property.
Continually improve our health and safety performance through review and training.
Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and accepted best practice for removal and transport operations.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Man and a Van London is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. Management will:
Provide appropriate resources to manage health and safety risks, including suitable vehicles, equipment, and protective measures.
Carry out and regularly review risk assessments for all core activities, including lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, and driving.
Ensure that vehicles are properly maintained, inspected, and roadworthy, and that loads are safely secured.
Provide information, instruction, and training so that employees are competent to perform their duties safely.
Monitor health and safety performance, investigate incidents, and implement corrective actions where necessary.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including drivers, porters, and support staff, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are required to:
Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided by the company.
Use vehicles, equipment, and tools in a safe and responsible manner.
Report any accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions, or damaged equipment to management as soon as possible.
Cooperate with management in implementing this Health and Safety Policy and any associated procedures.
Refrain from engaging in unsafe behaviour, including manual handling that exceeds their capabilities or operating vehicles when they are unfit to drive.
Customer and Public Safety
Man and a Van London recognises its responsibility to safeguard customers, visitors, neighbours, and members of the public during all removal and transport operations. To achieve this, we will:
Plan moves and deliveries to minimise disruption and risks in and around properties and public areas.
Take care when parking and positioning vehicles to avoid obstruction and danger.
Use safe systems of work when loading and unloading on streets, driveways, and shared access areas.
Keep walkways and work areas as clear as reasonably practicable from trip hazards such as loose wrapping materials, tools, or removed fixtures.
Provide clear communication to customers about any temporary restrictions or hazards created during the move.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling of furniture, boxes, and appliances presents a significant risk of injury in removal work. Man and a Van London will manage these risks by:
Providing manual handling training and guidance on correct lifting techniques.
Using handling aids where appropriate, such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and ramps to reduce strain.
Encouraging team lifting for heavy or bulky items and avoiding single-person lifting beyond safe limits.
Assessing access routes, stairways, and tight spaces before moving large items to choose the safest method.
Ensuring that any equipment supplied is suitable for its purpose and maintained in safe working order.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to our services and present specific safety risks. Man and a Van London will:
Ensure drivers hold the appropriate licence for the vehicles they operate.
Maintain vehicles in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and relevant standards.
Conduct regular checks of tyres, lights, brakes, securing points, and other critical components.
Ensure loads are distributed and secured to prevent shifting, damage, or instability during transit.
Encourage safe driving behaviours, adherence to speed limits, and avoidance of fatigue, distractions, or unsafe manoeuvres.
Work Environment and Welfare
Man and a Van London aims to provide a working environment that supports the well-being of employees. This includes:
Taking account of weather and environmental conditions during planning, such as heat, cold, rain, or ice.
Allowing reasonable breaks and rest periods, particularly during physically demanding work or long-distance driving.
Providing access to basic welfare arrangements where reasonably practicable during longer jobs.
Encouraging staff to report any health concerns that may affect their ability to perform removal tasks safely.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses, or instances of damage to property must be reported to management. Man and a Van London will:
Record incidents in an appropriate form and keep relevant documentation.
Investigate the causes of incidents to identify underlying issues and improvements.
Implement corrective and preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Review training, procedures, and risk assessments in light of findings from incident investigations.
Training, Consultation, and Communication
We believe that effective communication and competence are vital to safe operations. Man and a Van London will:
Provide induction and ongoing training on health and safety matters relevant to removal and transport work.
Consult with employees on health and safety issues, inviting feedback on practical improvements.
Communicate policy updates or procedural changes clearly to all staff.
Encourage staff to raise concerns without fear of reprisal.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation, or best practice. Updated versions will be communicated to all employees so that the policy remains current, effective, and appropriate to the nature and scale of our removal services.
Man and a Van London expects everyone involved in our activities to take shared responsibility for maintaining safe and healthy working conditions at all times.
