Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van West Brompton

Man with Van West Brompton is committed to providing safe, reliable, and professional removal services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to protecting our customers, members of the public, contractors, and our staff while carrying out house moves, flat moves, office removals, and courier and man and van services.

We recognise our duty to manage risks associated with lifting and carrying, loading and unloading vehicles, driving, working in and around properties, and handling customer belongings. Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property, and disruption to the local environment.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van West Brompton rests with the company management, who ensure that adequate resources, training, and equipment are provided. Supervisors and drivers are responsible for implementing this policy on each job and for reporting any concerns or incidents.

All employees, drivers and porters are required to:

Follow safe systems of work and all instructions given for their own safety and the safety of others. Use equipment correctly and not misuse or interfere with any safety measures provided. Report hazards, near misses, accidents, and unsafe conditions without delay. Cooperate with management on all health and safety matters, including attending training sessions where required.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before starting any removal or delivery, a risk assessment is carried out, either in advance or on arrival at the property. This includes identifying potential hazards such as narrow staircases, heavy or awkward items, poor lighting, slippery surfaces, vehicle access restrictions, and any structural or environmental risks.

Work is then planned to minimise risk through measures such as:

Deciding the safest routes in and out of the property. Allocating enough staff to handle heavy items. Using appropriate equipment such as trolleys, straps, and blankets. Agreeing communication between team members for lifting, moving, and positioning items. Allowing sufficient time for work to be completed safely without rushing.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and is carefully controlled. Staff are trained in safe lifting and carrying techniques and are instructed to assess each item before moving it.

Our approach includes:

Avoiding lifting where a mechanical aid or trolley can be used. Team lifting heavy, bulky, or awkward items. Keeping loads close to the body, using stable footing, and avoiding twisting while carrying. Breaking down items where possible, for example removing drawers or detachable parts. Refusing to move items that present an unacceptable risk to staff or property.

Vehicle Safety and Loading

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are suitable for removal work. Drivers must hold a valid licence and comply with road traffic laws at all times.

Safe loading practices include:

Ensuring loads are evenly distributed and secured using appropriate straps and restraints. Stacking items safely to prevent shifting during transit. Keeping access to doors and emergency exits clear. Observing vehicle weight limits and not overloading. Checking that ramps, tail lifts, and steps are used correctly and safely.

Customer and Public Safety

We take care to protect customers, visitors, neighbours, and members of the public during our work. This includes:

Keeping walkways, corridors, and entrances as clear as reasonably possible. Using warning where necessary to alert people to moving items or vehicles. Avoiding blocking pavements and communal areas unnecessarily. Turning off engines when parked and taking care when reversing or manoeuvring near pedestrians.

We request that customers, where possible, keep children and pets away from working areas and moving vehicles to prevent accidents.

Use of Equipment and Protective Measures

To carry out our work safely, we provide and maintain suitable equipment. This may include trolleys, dollies, protective blankets, straps, ramps, and other tools designed for safe removals.

Where necessary, staff may also use protective measures such as gloves, safety footwear, and high visibility clothing. All equipment is inspected regularly for damage and taken out of service if found to be defective.

Working in Properties and on Sites

When working inside properties, in communal areas, or in shared spaces, we aim to minimise disruption and risk. Staff are instructed to:

Respect the property and avoid causing damage to fixtures, fittings, and surfaces. Take special care on stairs, landings, and at height changes. Use mats, covers, or other protection where reasonably practicable. Work carefully in confined spaces and where lighting is poor.

If conditions are unsafe, such as severe structural damage, exposed wiring, or extreme weather, the job may be postponed or adapted until it is safe to continue.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All staff receive information and instruction on the hazards associated with removal work and the controls that must be used. Training covers manual handling, vehicle safety, customer care, use of equipment, and incident reporting.

Less experienced staff are supervised and supported by more experienced team members, particularly when handling larger moves or complex access conditions.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

Any accident, injury, near miss, or property damage is reported to management as soon as practicable. Details are recorded and investigated so that root causes can be identified and improvements made. Lessons learned are communicated to staff and, where necessary, procedures are updated.

We review this Health and Safety Policy regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, equipment, or relevant regulations. We are committed to continually improving our health and safety performance and to maintaining safe man and van and removal services for all our customers.

Policy Review and Availability

This Health and Safety Policy is made available to staff, customers, and other interested parties on request. It is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains suitable, effective, and aligned with the nature and scale of our removal and man and van activities.

By instructing Man with Van West Brompton, customers can be assured that the safety of people, property, and belongings is treated as a priority throughout every stage of the moving process.