Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van West Hampstead

Man with Van West Hampstead is committed to providing a professional, efficient and safe removal service for customers, employees, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with household and commercial moves, including packing, loading, transport and unloading of goods.

Our aim is to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property by planning work carefully, using competent staff and vehicles, and continually improving our health and safety practices across all removal services.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management. They are responsible for ensuring this policy is implemented, reviewed regularly and communicated to all workers engaged in our man and van and removal services.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day safety on each job, including briefing staff, assigning tasks safely and checking that control measures are followed.

All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow all instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards, near misses and incidents, and cooperate with the company on matters of health and safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before starting any removal job, we assess the key risks associated with the property, access routes, traffic conditions, loads to be moved and any special items such as pianos or heavy appliances. Where appropriate, a site assessment is carried out on arrival to identify hazards such as narrow stairways, uneven surfaces, poor lighting or obstructed access.

From these assessments we develop safe systems of work for lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and transporting items. Staff are instructed on the safe sequence of tasks, the use of any lifting aids and the need to keep work areas clear of trip hazards. When conditions change, the team reassesses risks and adjusts methods where necessary.

Manual Handling and Lifting Practices

Manual handling is a significant part of our removal services. To reduce the risk of strains, sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries, we apply the following principles:

We avoid unnecessary lifting where possible, using trolleys, dollies and other handling aids. Loads are broken down into manageable parts where safe to do so. Staff receive guidance on posture, lifting technique, team lifting and recognizing when a load is too heavy or awkward to move safely.

Two-person lifts are used for bulky or heavy items. Staff are encouraged to stop and reassess if they feel a task cannot be done safely with the available manpower or equipment. No worker is required to lift beyond their capability.

Vehicle Safety and Loading

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and checked regularly. Drivers are responsible for conducting pre-use checks and reporting any defects immediately. Only trained and authorised personnel are permitted to drive company vehicles.

Loading and unloading is carried out in a way that protects staff, customers and the public. Loads are distributed evenly and secured to prevent movement during transit. Heavy items are placed low and towards the centre of the vehicle, with lighter and more fragile items above and protected. Doors and tailgates are checked before departure.

When parking near customer properties, we position vehicles to reduce reversing and minimise risk to pedestrians and other road users, taking care not to block access routes or emergency exits.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our duty to protect customers and members of the public during removal operations. Work areas are kept as tidy as possible, with walkways maintained to prevent trips and falls. Where there is a risk from moving vehicles, reversing or carrying large items, we ask customers and bystanders to stay clear of the immediate work area.

We take care when moving items through shared spaces, corridors and entrances to avoid damage and ensure others can pass safely. No unattended equipment or trailing cables are left where they can cause a hazard.

Use of Equipment and Protective Measures

Suitable equipment such as sack trucks, lifting straps, blankets and securing straps is provided and maintained. Workers are instructed in the correct use of this equipment and must not use any item they believe to be defective or unsafe.

Where necessary, staff use protective measures such as gloves, safety footwear or other items appropriate to the task. Floors and surfaces may be protected to prevent slips and damage, particularly in wet or icy weather.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff engaged in removal activities receive information on this Health and Safety Policy, safe working procedures and emergency arrangements. Training is provided in manual handling, loading, use of equipment and general site safety, appropriate to their role and experience.

New staff are supervised until they are competent to carry out tasks safely. Ongoing supervision and periodic refreshers are used to maintain safe standards and address any unsafe practices quickly.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and damage to property must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record incidents, investigate the causes and take action to prevent recurrence. Where required, incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities in line with legal requirements.

Our teams are briefed on what to do in an emergency, including road incidents, fires, injuries and damage at customer premises. Work will be stopped if a situation is deemed unsafe until the risk has been assessed and controlled.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and following any significant change in our operations, relevant legislation or after serious incidents. We welcome feedback from staff and customers on safety matters and use this input to improve our procedures.

By following this policy, Man with Van West Hampstead aims to deliver safe, reliable removal services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved in or affected by our work.