Man and a Van Belgravia Health and Safety Policy
Man and a Van Belgravia is committed to providing a professional, reliable and safe removals service. This Health and Safety Policy sets out how we protect our employees, contractors, customers, the public and property during all moving, loading, unloading and transport activities. We recognise our duty to manage risks and to continually improve our working practices.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage and near-miss incidents associated with our house and office removal operations. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing proportionate control measures for every job we undertake. Health and safety considerations are integral to planning, supervision and delivery of all our services.
Responsibility for health and safety rests with management, but every member of our removals team is required to follow safe systems of work, cooperate with instructions and report concerns without delay.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man and a Van Belgravia will:
Ensure that appropriate risk assessments are carried out for removal, packing, loading, transportation and unloading activities, including specialist moves where required.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and tools that are suitable for moving furniture, boxes, appliances and other household or office items.
Ensure employees and regular contractors receive suitable training in manual handling, vehicle safety, use of lifting equipment and incident reporting.
Review and update health and safety procedures regularly, particularly when new services, vehicles, tools or methods of work are introduced.
Investigate any accidents, near misses or dangerous occurrences so that lessons can be learned and corrective actions taken promptly.
Employee Responsibilities
All staff working for or on behalf of Man and a Van Belgravia must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions during removal work.
Use equipment correctly and follow all instructions, training and safe systems of work provided.
Wear suitable clothing and any provided personal protective equipment where required for specific tasks.
Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions, damaged equipment or health and safety concerns to management as soon as possible.
Refrain from using alcohol or drugs that could impair judgement or performance while working or driving.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before each removal, our team assesses key risks associated with the property, access routes, parking, items to be moved and any special customer requirements. Based on this assessment, we plan staff numbers, vehicle size, equipment needs and safe lifting methods. Where required, we may adjust scheduling or request clearer access to reduce risk.
For complex or higher-risk moves, such as heavy or awkward items, high-value equipment or difficult access, a more detailed assessment may be undertaken to determine specialist handling methods or additional support.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Moving and lifting are core parts of our service, and manual handling is managed carefully to minimise the risk of strain, sprain or other injury. Our approach includes:
Using correct lifting techniques and team lifts for bulky or heavy furniture, appliances and boxes.
Employing suitable moving equipment, such as trolleys, blankets and straps, to reduce physical effort and protect items.
Planning routes inside and outside the property to avoid unnecessary carrying distances, trip hazards and difficult manoeuvres on stairs or tight corners.
Stopping work if a load is beyond safe handling limits with the staff and equipment available, and making alternative arrangements.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Safe operation of our vehicles is essential to protecting staff, customers and other road users. Man and a Van Belgravia will:
Ensure vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition with regular checks and servicing.
Require drivers to hold the appropriate licence and follow all traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations.
Ensure loads are secured properly to prevent movement or damage during transit.
Plan routes, as far as reasonably practicable, to take account of access restrictions and local conditions, helping to reduce stress, delays and driving risks.
Customer and Public Safety
We recognise that our activities take place in homes, offices, shared buildings and public areas. To safeguard customers and the public, our team will:
Maintain clear walkways and avoid leaving equipment or packing materials where they could cause trips or falls.
Communicate with customers about any short-term access restrictions or necessary safety precautions during loading and unloading.
Handle customer property with care to prevent damage that could create hazards, such as broken glass or exposed sharp edges.
Respect privacy, maintain professional conduct at all times and work in a tidy and considerate manner.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, injuries and significant cases of property damage are reported to management and recorded. This enables us to identify patterns, address underlying causes and improve our processes.
In the event of an emergency, such as fire, serious injury or a road traffic incident, staff are instructed to prioritise the safety of all persons involved and to follow appropriate emergency procedures. Where necessary, the emergency services will be contacted without delay.
Training, Communication and Review
Man and a Van Belgravia provides information, instruction and training relevant to each role, including new starter inductions and refresher training where needed. Safety expectations and any changes to procedures are communicated clearly to staff.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective for our removals operations and service area. Amendments may be made in response to changes in our business activities, feedback from staff or customers, new equipment or following the investigation of incidents.
By working together and following this policy, we aim to deliver a safe, efficient and reliable removal service for every customer we serve.
