Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Belgravia

Man with Van Belgravia is committed to maintaining high standards of health, safety and welfare for our workers, clients and members of the public affected by our removals and transport services. This policy sets out our general approach and the arrangements we have in place to manage health and safety across our moving and delivery operations.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We aim to conduct all man and van, removal and delivery activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health and damage to property. We will so far as is reasonably practicable:

Provide a safe working environment for our team during all stages of a move, including packing, lifting, loading, transport and unloading.

Assess and manage the risks associated with manual handling, driving, access to properties, use of equipment and interaction with clients and the public.

Provide appropriate information, instruction and guidance so that work is carried out safely and responsibly.

Ensure vehicles and equipment used for removals are maintained in a safe, roadworthy and suitable condition.

Encourage a positive safety culture where concerns are raised promptly and incidents are reported and reviewed.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Everyone involved in our removal services has a role to play in keeping themselves and others safe.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Belgravia is responsible for:

Setting and maintaining this health and safety policy and making sure it is communicated to all staff and regular contractors.

Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out for key tasks such as lifting, loading, working in stairwells, operating in tight streets and driving in busy local areas.

Providing guidance on safe working practices and monitoring that these are being followed.

Ensuring vehicles and equipment are checked regularly and that defects are dealt with promptly.

Reviewing any accidents, near misses or complaints involving health and safety and taking appropriate corrective actions.

Employee and Contractor Responsibilities

All workers representing Man with Van Belgravia are expected to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow safe working procedures and instructions provided by the company.

Use any equipment and protective items properly and report any damage or faults.

Report hazards, near misses, injuries or concerns to management as soon as possible.

Drive responsibly, obey traffic laws and adjust their driving to local conditions such as narrow streets, congestion and residential areas.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We assess health and safety risks associated with our removals and man and van work and implement measures to control them. Key areas include:

Manual Handling and Lifting

Moving furniture and belongings is a central part of our service, and manual handling is a significant risk area. To reduce the chance of injury:

Staff are instructed to assess the weight and shape of items before lifting.

Lifts should be planned in advance, using team lifts whenever a load is heavy, awkward or difficult to handle alone.

Where appropriate, moving aids such as trolleys, dollies and straps should be used.

Safe lifting principles must be followed, including keeping the load close to the body and avoiding twisting while carrying items.

Safe Loading and Vehicle Use

Our vans and vehicles are loaded and used in a way that protects both people and property:

Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit, reducing risks to drivers, other road users and the goods being transported.

Heavy items are loaded first and placed low and central to maintain vehicle stability.

Access to vehicle doors and emergency exits is kept clear whenever possible.

Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic visual checks before each journey and reporting any safety concerns.

Working at Client Properties

We take care to work safely at all types of properties, including flats, houses and business premises:

Walkways, staircases and entrances should be kept as clear as possible to prevent trips and falls.

Care is taken when moving large items around corners, on stairwells and through doorways.

Where available, lifts are used sensibly, taking into account load capacity and safe operation.

We are considerate of neighbours and other building users, especially in shared spaces and communal areas.

Welfare, Training and Information

Our team is better able to work safely when they are informed, supported and have access to reasonable welfare provisions.

We provide guidance on safe lifting, loading and driving practices relevant to our man and van and removal work.

New staff and regular contractors receive an introduction to our health and safety expectations before starting work.

We encourage rest breaks during longer jobs and longer driving periods to help manage fatigue.

Workers are expected to present themselves fit for work, free from the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and damage involving health and safety are expected to be reported to management. This helps us identify trends and improve our procedures.

In the event of an accident or sudden illness on a job, workers should:

Prioritise personal safety and the safety of those nearby.

Contact the appropriate emergency services if needed.

Inform management as soon as practicable with accurate details of what has occurred.

Cooperate with any follow up investigation so that lessons can be learned and similar incidents can be avoided.

Continuous Improvement and Review

Health and safety arrangements at Man with Van Belgravia are kept under regular review. We may update this policy to reflect changes in our services, operational practices or applicable guidance relevant to removal and transport activities.

We welcome feedback from clients, staff and partners on any aspect of safety and will consider reasonable suggestions for improvement. By working together, we aim to provide a reliable local man and van service that is safe, responsible and mindful of the people and properties we work with.