Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Richmond upon Thames
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures followed by Man and a Van Richmond upon Thames to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors, customers and members of the public during the delivery of our removal and transport services.
Our aim is to provide a safe and healthy working environment and to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property. This policy applies to all activities carried out by our teams, whether at our base, on the road or at customer premises.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety lies with the company management, who will ensure that appropriate arrangements, resources and training are in place. Management will review this policy regularly and update it as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice and the nature of our services.
Every employee and contractor 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 team members must follow safety instructions, use equipment properly, report hazards and cooperate fully with company procedures and risk control measures.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We will identify and assess risks associated with moving, loading and transporting furniture, boxes and household or office items. This includes manual handling tasks, working in confined or restricted spaces, vehicle movements, working near public areas and handling fragile or bulky items.
For each removal or delivery task, our team will consider access routes, parking, stairs and lifts, floor surfaces, weather conditions and any unusual or hazardous items. Where significant risks are identified, suitable control measures will be implemented and, where appropriate, specific method statements will be used to guide the work.
Staff are required to follow safe systems of work, including correct lifting techniques, using handling equipment where necessary and working in teams for heavy or awkward items. Shortcuts that compromise safety are not permitted under any circumstances.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of our removal services, and we recognise the potential for injury if tasks are not carried out correctly. We will minimise manual handling risks by planning loads, reducing the need for excessive carrying, and making use of aids such as sack trucks, dollies, skates, webbing and straps where appropriate.
All staff will be trained in basic manual handling principles, including assessing the load, using a stable stance, keeping the load close to the body and avoiding twisting while lifting or carrying. Team members are encouraged to ask for assistance whenever a load is too heavy or awkward to handle safely alone.
All equipment used in the course of our removal operations will be maintained in good working order and inspected regularly. Any defects must be reported immediately and defective equipment taken out of service until repaired or replaced.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
We are committed to maintaining our vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition. Vehicles will be inspected and serviced in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Drivers are required to carry out basic daily checks before use and report any concerns without delay.
Only authorised and competent drivers may operate company vehicles. Drivers must obey all traffic laws, drive within speed limits, and adapt their driving style to the road, weather and load conditions. The use of mobile phones or other devices while driving is not allowed unless a legally compliant hands free system is used and it is safe to do so.
Loads will be secured properly to prevent movement during transit. Particular care will be taken with heavy items, fragile goods and items that could become a hazard if they shift or fall.
Customer Premises, Public Safety and Housekeeping
Our teams work regularly at customer homes, offices and other premises. We are committed to carrying out our work with minimal disruption while maintaining high safety standards for everyone present.
Upon arrival, our staff will assess access routes, identify potential hazards such as loose carpets, uneven surfaces, poor lighting or obstructions, and take practical steps to reduce risk. This may include using protective coverings, temporarily moving obstacles or adjusting the route for carrying items.
We will maintain good housekeeping during the move, keeping walkways as clear as reasonably possible, stacking items safely and promptly removing packaging or debris to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls.
Training, Information and Supervision
We will provide our staff with the information, instruction and training they need to carry out their duties safely. This includes induction training on company health and safety procedures, manual handling guidance, vehicle safety, use of equipment and procedures for reporting incidents and hazards.
Refresher training will be provided periodically and whenever there is a significant change in working practices, equipment or legal requirements. Less experienced staff will be appropriately supervised until they are deemed competent to work more independently.
Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses that occur during our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will investigate such events to identify root causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.
Where required by law, certain incidents will be recorded and reported to the relevant authorities. We will keep records of inspections, training and any corrective actions taken following incidents.
Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work
We recognise the importance of the general health and wellbeing of our staff in maintaining a safe and efficient removal service. Employees must report any medical condition, fatigue or use of medication that could impair their ability to work or drive safely.
The use of alcohol or illegal substances during working hours or immediately prior to work is strictly prohibited. We reserve the right to remove from duty any individual who is considered unfit for work on safety grounds.
Customer Cooperation and Shared Responsibilities
Safety is a shared responsibility between our company and our customers. We ask customers to inform us in advance of any known hazards at their premises, such as limited access, structural issues, hazardous materials or restrictions on parking or loading.
Customers should ensure that access routes are clear, that children and pets are kept away from moving operations, and that any items that may present a particular risk are highlighted to our team before work begins.
Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or relevant legislation. We aim for continuous improvement in our safety performance and welcome feedback from staff and customers to help us enhance our practices.
By following this policy and working together, we aim to provide removal and man and van services in a manner that is safe, responsible and respectful of the wellbeing of everyone involved.
