Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Belgravia

Man with Van Belgravia is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation services. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading, transportation, and related activities.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to prevent injury, protect health, and minimise risks arising from our operations. We aim to achieve this by planning work carefully, providing appropriate equipment, delivering clear instructions and training, and monitoring our performance. We are committed to continuous improvement and to ensuring that health and safety responsibilities are understood at all levels of the business.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Belgravia has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes ensuring that suitable resources are available to manage health and safety, that risk assessments are carried out, and that safe systems of work are followed for all removal and transport tasks. Managers must lead by example, promote a positive safety culture, and make sure that health and safety is considered in every decision related to our services.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. They are required to follow all safety instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents promptly, and cooperate fully with the company in meeting its health and safety duties. Employees must not misuse any equipment provided for their protection and must never undertake work for which they have not been trained or authorised.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting any removal or transportation task, we conduct appropriate risk assessments to identify potential hazards such as manual handling risks, slips and trips, vehicle movements, and working in confined or restricted spaces. We then put control measures in place to reduce these risks to an acceptable level. Our team is trained to follow safe working practices, including careful route planning, safe loading and unloading procedures, and proper use of lifting techniques and handling equipment.

Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

The nature of our work involves frequent lifting, carrying and moving of furniture, boxes and other items. To minimise the risk of strain, sprain or injury, all staff receive guidance on safe manual handling techniques. Where possible, we use mechanical aids such as trolleys or skates and encourage customers to pack items in manageable loads. Heavy or awkward items are handled by two or more team members, and lifting beyond safe limits is not permitted. Staff are expected to refuse unsafe loads and to seek assistance when required.

Vehicle Safety and Road Use

Our vehicles are central to our removal services and are maintained in a roadworthy condition. Regular checks are carried out on brakes, tyres, lights, restraint systems and other safety features. Drivers are required to hold the appropriate licences, follow road traffic regulations, and drive in a manner that prioritises the safety of passengers, other road users and pedestrians. Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit, and routes are planned to avoid unnecessary risks, congestion or access issues where practicable.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Measures

Where necessary, we provide suitable equipment and personal protective measures to support safe working. This may include protective gloves, high visibility clothing, safety footwear, and other aids appropriate to the task. All equipment must be inspected regularly, used correctly and removed from service if damaged or defective. Team members must follow company guidance on when and how to use specific equipment, particularly when working in busy streets, shared access areas or multi-storey buildings.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams often work in and around customer homes, offices and shared access areas. We take care to protect the safety of customers, neighbours and members of the public by keeping walkways clear, using safe lifting routes, and controlling access to areas where loading and unloading are taking place. Where necessary, we will use signage, verbal warnings or temporary barriers to alert others to potential risks. We also take reasonable steps to prevent damage to property while maintaining safe working practices.

Training, Information and Supervision

We ensure that all staff receive appropriate induction and ongoing training related to their role, including manual handling, safe driving, loading procedures and emergency response. Clear instructions are provided for each job, taking into account the type of property, access conditions and any specific customer requirements. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring work on site, ensuring that procedures are followed, and addressing unsafe behaviour or conditions without delay.

Accident Reporting and Incident Investigation

All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to management. We record and investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions that reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Lessons learned from incidents are shared with the team and used to refine our training, risk assessments and working methods.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the importance of physical and mental wellbeing for staff involved in removal and transport work. Employees must be fit for duty and report any medical condition, fatigue or issue that may affect their ability to work safely. The use of alcohol or illegal substances at work, or reporting for duty under their influence, is strictly prohibited. We encourage open communication so that concerns about workload, stress or health can be addressed promptly.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legislation or best practice in the removals and transportation industry. We welcome feedback from employees and customers on safety matters and use this information to improve our systems and performance. By working together, we aim to deliver reliable removal services while maintaining high standards of health and safety for everyone involved.