Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van St John's Wood

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the standards and procedures followed by Man With a Van St John's Wood to protect the health, safety and welfare of our customers, staff, contractors and members of the public during all man and van and removals services. Our aim is to provide a safe, reliable and professional moving service while minimising risks associated with lifting, loading, transport and access to premises.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We are committed to managing our activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption. Health and safety considerations are integrated into the planning and delivery of all removal and transport jobs, from small local moves to larger household or office relocations.

We will comply with applicable health and safety laws and recognised industry good practice, and we expect everyone working with us to take personal responsibility for working safely and reporting hazards or concerns.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man With a Van St John's Wood rests with company management, who ensure that suitable resources are allocated, and that procedures are reviewed and updated when necessary.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy on each job, including briefing staff, conducting checks, coordinating vehicle loading and ensuring that work is carried out safely and efficiently.

Every worker 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.

Follow instructions, risk assessments, training and safe systems of work provided by the company.

Use equipment correctly and report any defects or hazards immediately.

Stop work if a task is believed to be unsafe and notify a supervisor at once.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working

Before each removal or transport job, risks are assessed taking into account the type and weight of items, access routes, parking and traffic conditions, and any known site-specific hazards. Where necessary, a more detailed site assessment is carried out.

Findings from risk assessments inform how the work is planned and may include decisions such as the number of staff required, the equipment needed, lifting techniques, the sequence of loading and unloading, and any additional controls to manage particular risks.

Jobs may be postponed, adjusted or refused if conditions are unsafe or if it is not reasonably practicable to manage the risks to an acceptable level.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is managed carefully to avoid back injuries, strains and other musculoskeletal problems. Our approach includes:

Training staff in correct lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifts and the use of equipment.

Planning the route before moving heavy or awkward items to avoid trip hazards and tight spaces where possible.

Using trolleys, dollies, straps and other aids where appropriate, rather than relying solely on physical strength.

Refusing to move items that are excessively heavy, unstable or unsafe without suitable equipment or additional personnel.

Encouraging staff to speak up if an item is too heavy or awkward to move safely.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are used to transport goods for customers and must be operated safely at all times. We ensure that:

Vehicles are regularly maintained and inspected, with defects reported and rectified promptly.

Loads are distributed evenly and secured properly to avoid movement during transit and to maintain vehicle stability.

Drivers hold the appropriate licence, obey road traffic laws and drive with consideration for other road users.

Drivers are responsible for completing basic checks of the vehicle and load before setting off, including doors, ramps and securing equipment.

Driving schedules are planned to avoid unnecessary pressure or fatigue that could compromise safety.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working in homes, offices or other premises, we aim to minimise risk to customers, visitors and members of the public. Measures include:

Keeping access routes as clear as reasonably possible during loading and unloading.

Using caution with doors, stairways, lifts and shared areas to avoid collisions or obstruction.

Positioning vehicles to reduce risks when moving items to and from the property, while being mindful of pedestrians and other vehicles.

Taking particular care in communal areas, narrow streets and busy locations during removal work.

Equipment and Work Environment

We provide suitable equipment for the safe handling and protection of goods and people. This may include trolleys, moving blankets, straps, ramps and basic protective equipment relevant to the work being carried out.

Equipment is checked regularly and any defective or damaged items are taken out of service until repaired or replaced. Staff are instructed to use only equipment they are trained and authorised to use.

We also encourage staff to maintain a tidy working environment by managing waste, packaging materials and debris so that trip hazards are reduced.

Training, Information and Supervision

All team members receive information and instruction relevant to their role, including safe lifting, vehicle loading, use of equipment and dealing with typical hazards encountered during removals work.

New staff are supervised closely until they demonstrate the required level of competence. Ongoing guidance is provided through briefings, job planning and on-site supervision where appropriate.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents and significant near misses that occur during our work must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. This enables us to investigate, identify underlying causes and take steps to prevent recurrence.

Where required, incidents will be recorded and, if applicable, reported to the relevant authorities in line with legal requirements. We use the findings to review risk assessments, training content and working procedures.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and the importance of workers being fit for duty. Staff are expected to present themselves for work in a condition that allows them to perform tasks safely, including being free from the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Where a worker has a medical condition or injury that may affect their ability to carry out manual handling or driving tasks safely, they must inform management so appropriate adjustments or alternative duties can be considered.

Review and Policy Updates

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, equipment, legal requirements or best practice guidance. Updates will be communicated to staff and incorporated into our procedures.

By engaging Man With a Van St John's Wood, customers can expect that health and safety considerations are an integral part of how we plan and deliver our man and van and removal services, helping to ensure that each job is completed safely, efficiently and with due care for people and property.