Man and Van Belgravia Health and Safety Policy

Man and Van Belgravia is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, visitors, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our principles and arrangements for managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, unloading and transporting goods for domestic and commercial customers.

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing proportionate control measures across all aspects of our man and van and removal operations.

Management Responsibility and Commitment

The company management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety and will provide visible leadership in promoting safe working practices. We will allocate appropriate resources, time and support to ensure that health and safety standards are implemented, monitored and continually improved.

Management will ensure that this policy is reviewed regularly and remains relevant to the nature and scale of our activities, including local and long-distance removal services, small-scale moves and single-item transport.

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. All staff must cooperate with management in implementing this policy, follow safe systems of work and report any hazards, near misses, incidents or concerns without delay.

Employees must:

Use vehicles, tools, lifting equipment and personal protective equipment as instructed and only for their intended purpose; follow manual handling techniques and team-lifting arrangements; keep work areas, vans and access routes clear and tidy; refrain from unsafe behaviour, horseplay or shortcuts; and immediately report damaged equipment, unsafe conditions or any work-related injury or ill health.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will carry out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for our operations and review them when there are significant changes in work activities, equipment or locations. Particular attention will be given to the typical risks associated with man and van and removal services, including manual handling, working in and around vehicles, access to properties, and environmental conditions.

From these assessments we will develop safe working procedures that cover, as appropriate:

Planning of removals and loading to avoid overloading and instability; use of mechanical aids, trolleys and ramps where reasonably practicable; safe lifting techniques and team lifts for heavy or awkward items; securing loads inside vehicles to prevent movement during transit; safe parking, reversing and manoeuvring of vans; and working safely on stairs, in tight spaces and at entrances or driveways.

Manual Handling and Musculoskeletal Health

Manual handling is a core part of our business and we recognise the risks of strain, sprain and musculoskeletal injuries. We will minimise manual handling risks by careful job planning, appropriate use of equipment and team working practices.

All staff involved in lifting or carrying items will receive manual handling training and guidance, including correct posture and lifting techniques, recognising personal limits, breaking down loads where possible, planning the route before moving items, seeking assistance with heavy or awkward objects and taking regular short breaks when work is physically demanding.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are central to the provision of our moving services and must be maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. We will ensure that all vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained according to manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Defects will be reported promptly and rectified before the vehicle is used.

Drivers must hold the appropriate licences and comply with road traffic laws, parking rules and speed limits. They must not drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that may impair their ability to drive safely. Mobile phones and communication devices must be used safely and never while the vehicle is in motion without hands-free arrangements.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in a wide variety of homes, offices and other premises. We will take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors and members of the public from risks arising from our activities. This includes careful positioning of vehicles to avoid obstruction, maintaining clear walkways and access routes, using safe techniques on stairs and narrow corridors, and managing trip and slip risks from packaging materials or equipment.

Where necessary, we will agree access arrangements with customers in advance and provide information about any temporary restrictions or safety precautions while work is being carried out.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

Equipment used in our removal services, such as trolleys, straps, blankets and ramps, will be suitable for purpose, properly maintained and used in accordance with instructions. Damaged or defective equipment will be withdrawn from use and either repaired or replaced.

Where risks cannot be controlled adequately in other ways, appropriate personal protective equipment will be provided, such as gloves, safety footwear and high-visibility clothing. Employees must use such equipment correctly and look after it, reporting any damage or loss.

Training, Information and Supervision

We will provide our staff with the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to carry out their work safely. This includes induction training for new employees, task-specific training for those involved in lifting and moving, and refresher training where appropriate.

Supervisors will monitor working practices on site and in transit, addressing unsafe behaviours and reinforcing safe working methods.

Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents and near misses, however minor, must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will investigate these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Records will be kept of significant incidents and used to improve our health and safety management arrangements.

Health and Welfare

We recognise the importance of general health and welfare in preventing work-related ill health. We aim to schedule jobs and routes in a way that reduces fatigue, encourage the taking of rest breaks, especially on longer drives or intensive removal days, and promote good housekeeping and hygiene standards in vehicles and work areas.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically, and sooner if there are significant changes in our operations, legislation or best practice. Any updates will be communicated to employees and implemented across our services. Continued adherence to this policy is a condition of employment and a core part of the professional service we offer to our customers.