Man and Van Belsize Park Health and Safety Policy

Man and Van Belsize Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. We recognise our responsibility to manage health and safety risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods in residential and commercial settings.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We aim to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by identifying and controlling risks arising from our operations. Health and safety considerations are integral to planning and delivering man and van and removal services, including local moves, longer-distance journeys, and on-site handling of items.

The management of Man and Van Belsize Park will provide adequate resources, information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that this policy is implemented and maintained effectively.

Legal Responsibilities

We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and associated regulations that apply to our removal and transport work. We monitor changes in legal requirements and approved guidance and update our procedures as needed to maintain high standards of safety throughout our service area.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining safe systems of work. This includes:

Planning work to minimise risks, particularly in relation to manual handling, driving, loading and unloading. Ensuring vehicles and equipment used for removals are suitable, inspected and maintained in safe working order. Assessing risks for typical removal tasks, including stair carries, use of trolleys and handling bulky or fragile items. Providing or arranging health and safety training and refreshers for staff. Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to identify causes and implement corrective actions.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions. They are required to:

Follow all safety instructions, training and company procedures. Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly and for their intended purpose. Report hazards, defects, accidents, incidents and near misses promptly to management. Cooperate in any risk assessment, investigation or health and safety initiative. Refrain from any acts or omissions that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers or the public.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out and maintain risk assessments for key activities associated with our man and van and removal services. These assessments form the basis of our safe working practices, which include:

Planning access routes for collection and delivery addresses. Considering parking, loading zones and safe distances from traffic. Evaluating the weight, size, shape and condition of items to be moved. Identifying potential trip, slip and fall hazards within properties and external areas. Making arrangements for adequate lighting and clear communication on site.

Where risks cannot be eliminated, we aim to reduce them to the lowest reasonably practicable level through control measures, training and supervision.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is managed with particular care. We apply the following principles:

Using mechanical aids such as sack trucks, trolleys and lifting straps where appropriate. Encouraging team lifting for heavy, awkward or bulky items. Ensuring staff are trained in safe lifting techniques and posture. Avoiding unnecessary carrying over long distances by planning efficient loading points. Repacking or separating items where possible to reduce individual loads.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and are operated with safety as a priority. We:

Ensure vehicles used for man and van work are regularly serviced, checked and maintained. Require drivers to carry out basic pre-use checks and report any defects immediately. Load vehicles safely and securely, distributing weight evenly and using securing equipment where necessary. Instruct drivers to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations. Encourage safe driving practices, including allowing adequate time for journeys and avoiding distraction and fatigue.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in and around customer homes, offices and public areas. To protect customers and the public, we:

Maintain clear walking routes during moves and avoid blocking exits. Use caution on stairs, narrow hallways and shared access areas. Where practicable, use warning signs or verbal warnings when moving large or heavy items. Take care to prevent damage to property, fixtures and fittings that could create hazards. Consider the needs of vulnerable persons, including children, older people and pets, during removal activities.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We select and provide appropriate tools and equipment to carry out removal tasks safely. Where identified by risk assessment, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility garments may be used. All equipment is maintained and replaced as required, and employees are instructed on its correct and safe use.

Training, Information and Supervision

Staff receive appropriate induction and task-specific training covering manual handling, vehicle safety, site safety and incident reporting. Training needs are reviewed periodically and when work practices change. Supervisors and experienced staff provide on-the-job guidance to ensure that safe methods are followed consistently.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly so they can be recorded, investigated and used to improve our safety performance. We encourage open reporting and do not tolerate victimisation of any person who raises legitimate safety concerns or identifies hazards.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We recognise that effective health and safety management relies on cooperation and communication. We encourage feedback from employees and customers on safety issues and use this information, along with incident data and changes in guidance, to review and improve our procedures.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, service scope or legal requirements. Updated versions are communicated to staff and are available for customers who wish to understand how Man and Van Belsize Park manages safety during removal and transport work.

By implementing and maintaining this policy, Man and Van Belsize Park aims to deliver reliable removal services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved.