Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Roehampton
Man and a Van Roehampton 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 services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with home and office moves, furniture transport, loading and unloading, and associated activities.
Policy Aims and Objectives
Our primary objective is to prevent injury, ill health and property damage during the planning and delivery of removal services. We aim to:
Identify and control risks related to manual handling, driving, loading and unloading, working in and around client premises, and the use of tools and equipment.
Comply with applicable health and safety legislation, approved codes of practice and industry standards relevant to removal and transport activities.
Promote a positive safety culture in which everyone involved in our services understands their responsibilities and is encouraged to report hazards and near misses.
Provide information, instruction, training and supervision appropriate to the tasks undertaken by our staff and subcontractors.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Man and a Van Roehampton has overall responsibility for health and safety performance. Management will:
Implement, maintain and periodically review this Health and Safety Policy to ensure it remains suitable and effective for our removal operations.
Ensure that risk assessments are carried out for typical moving tasks, including lifting and carrying, navigating stairs and tight spaces, use of trolleys and moving vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and tools, ensuring that they are regularly inspected and serviced in line with manufacturers guidance and legal requirements.
Allocate sufficient resources to health and safety, including time for training, equipment maintenance and the investigation of incidents.
Employee and Subcontractor Responsibilities
All employees and subcontractors engaged by Man and a Van Roehampton share responsibility for health and safety. Every worker is required to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Follow the safe systems of work, instructions and training provided, particularly in relation to lifting techniques, use of moving equipment and safe driving.
Use personal protective equipment and safety aids supplied, such as gloves, back supports, trolleys, removal blankets and securing straps, as appropriate to the task.
Report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents, near misses, vehicle defects and damaged equipment to management without delay so that corrective action can be taken.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We conduct risk assessments for our core removal activities and review them regularly or after significant changes in our operations. These assessments support the development of safe methods of work, which include:
Planning access routes at collection and delivery addresses, including assessment of stairs, lifts, doorways, uneven surfaces and parking arrangements.
Selecting appropriate equipment for moving heavy or bulky items, such as trolleys, sack barrows and lifting straps, to reduce manual handling risks.
Ensuring loads are distributed safely in our vehicles and are properly secured to prevent movement during transit.
Controlling exposure to slips, trips and falls by keeping work areas tidy, managing trailing leads, and ensuring the use of suitable footwear.
Manual Handling and Lifting Safety
Manual handling is a key risk within removal work. To reduce this risk, Man and a Van Roehampton will:
Provide training in safe lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifting practices for large or awkward items.
Encourage staff to assess the weight, shape and route before moving any item and to request assistance or equipment support where needed.
Discourage lone handling of excessively heavy or unstable items and ensure that large furniture and appliances are moved by two or more people where necessary.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Road safety is a core element of our health and safety arrangements. We will:
Ensure drivers hold the correct licences, are competent and are familiar with the vehicles they operate.
Maintain vehicles in roadworthy condition, carrying out routine checks on tyres, lights, brakes, securing points and loading areas.
Promote safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, defensive driving, safe parking, and the avoidance of mobile phone use while driving.
Require drivers to comply with working time and rest requirements, and to avoid driving while fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Working at Client Premises
Our teams frequently operate inside homes, flats, offices and storage facilities. To protect customers, visitors and staff, we will:
Take care to protect floors, walls and fixtures from damage using appropriate covers and protective materials where required.
Manage access routes to keep them as clear as possible, reducing risks to residents, visitors and neighbours.
Use safe techniques when negotiating stairs, tight corners and shared corridors, including communicating clearly as a team when moving large items.
Show courtesy and consideration for neighbours and building users, minimising noise and disruption where reasonably practicable.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man and a Van Roehampton provides training and information appropriate to the duties performed by each worker. This may include:
Induction training on company health and safety rules, emergency arrangements and reporting procedures.
Task-specific training on manual handling, use of moving equipment, securing loads, and safe vehicle operation.
Ongoing instruction and supervision, particularly for new or inexperienced staff, to reinforce safe working practices.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents and near misses related to our removal services must be reported to management. We will:
Record relevant details for investigation and, where necessary, for statutory reporting.
Investigate the underlying causes and implement corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Use findings from incidents to improve our risk assessments, procedures and staff training.
Health and Safety Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner if there are significant changes to our removal services, working practices or legal requirements. Updated versions will be communicated to employees and made available to clients on request.
By working together and following this policy, Man and a Van Roehampton aims to deliver reliable removal services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved in or affected by our activities.
