Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van West Brompton

Man With a Van West Brompton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transportation services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with local and regional moves, loading and unloading, transportation, and work at customer premises.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objective is to prevent injury and ill health arising from our activities. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing appropriate control measures. We are committed to continual improvement of our health and safety performance and to complying with all relevant health and safety legislation, regulations and approved codes of practice applicable to the removals industry.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man With a Van West Brompton has overall responsibility for health and safety. This includes ensuring that safe systems of work are in place, that staff receive suitable training, and that adequate resources are provided for health and safety management. Management will regularly review this policy, monitor its effectiveness and update it when required, particularly when there are significant changes to work practices, equipment or legal requirements.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee 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. Staff must follow safety procedures, use equipment correctly, and co-operate with management on all matters relating to health and safety. Employees must report hazards, near misses, incidents and any concerns promptly so that corrective action can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We conduct risk assessments for our core activities, including home and office removals, packing, loading and unloading, and driving. The findings of these assessments are used to develop safe working practices that minimise the risk of accidents and injuries. Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there are changes to routes, equipment, vehicles, or the nature of removal work undertaken.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a major element of our removals work, so we place strong emphasis on safe lifting techniques. Staff receive training on correct posture, team lifting, use of lifting aids and recognising personal limits. Heavy or awkward items are handled using appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies and lifting straps where practicable. We plan each job to reduce the need for excessive carrying, twisting or working on stairs and confined spaces wherever possible.

Use of Tools, Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

All equipment used in our removal operations, including trolleys, ramps, straps and protective coverings, is maintained in a safe condition and inspected regularly. Staff are instructed in the correct use of equipment to avoid damage to property and reduce the risk of injury. Personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear and gloves, is provided where necessary and must be worn in accordance with company procedures.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our service, and we are committed to safe driving and vehicle maintenance standards. Vehicles are inspected and serviced in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, be medically fit to drive and follow all road traffic laws. They must conduct pre-use checks, secure loads properly, and adjust driving style according to weather, traffic and local road conditions.

Working at Customer Premises

Our teams frequently work at customers' homes, offices and storage facilities. We take care to minimise disruption, protect property and maintain safe access routes. On arrival, the team will identify potential hazards such as uneven surfaces, loose floor coverings, narrow staircases and restricted parking. Where necessary, we will agree safe loading and unloading arrangements with the customer. Customers are asked to keep children, pets and non-essential persons away from working areas while removal operations are in progress.

Housekeeping and Protection of Property

Good housekeeping is important to avoid slips, trips and falls. We aim to keep work areas tidy, with walkways clear of packaging, tools and equipment as far as reasonably practicable. Protective coverings such as floor runners and corner guards may be used to protect property, while also reducing the chance of accidents caused by damaged flooring or unexpected obstacles.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management without delay. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and to implement measures that prevent recurrence. Lessons learned are shared with staff and, where appropriate, lead to updates in risk assessments, training materials and working procedures.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removals work and the importance of staff health and welfare. Employees are encouraged to report any health issues that may affect their ability to carry out tasks safely, particularly those involving lifting and driving. We do not permit staff to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Where necessary, reasonable adjustments will be considered to support employees in performing their roles safely.

Training, Supervision and Communication

Training is provided to ensure employees understand the hazards related to removals work and how to control them. This covers manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, customer site safety and emergency procedures. New staff receive induction training before undertaking unsupervised work. Ongoing supervision and toolbox talks are used to reinforce safe working practices and to communicate any changes in procedure.

Emergency Preparedness

We maintain procedures for dealing with emergencies that may arise during removal operations, such as accidents, vehicle breakdowns or property damage incidents. Staff are instructed on how to respond safely, contact the appropriate emergency services when required, and secure the area to prevent further harm. After any emergency, we review our response and make improvements where needed.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, adequate and effective for our removal activities in the area we serve. Any significant changes to our services, operating locations or legal requirements will trigger an earlier review. Updated versions of this policy will be communicated to all staff and made available to customers on request.