Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Earls Court

Man With a Van Earls Court 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 delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, driving and operating in homes, offices and public spaces.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and unsafe practices across all aspects of our man and van and removals operations. We will identify and control hazards arising from our work, comply with applicable health and safety legislation and continually improve our standards through training, supervision and review.

This policy applies to all employees, subcontractors and any person working on behalf of Man With a Van Earls Court while engaged in collection, transport, loading, unloading and related services for domestic and commercial customers.

Management Responsibilities

Management holds overall responsibility for ensuring this Health and Safety Policy is implemented and maintained. Management will:

Ensure that suitable resources are provided for health and safety, including appropriate vehicles, equipment, protective clothing and training. Assess the health and safety implications of new tasks, services or equipment before they are introduced into our operations. Provide clear instructions and information so that all staff understand the safe systems of work required for removals and transport. Monitor performance, investigate incidents and near misses, and implement corrective actions where needed. Review this policy regularly and update procedures when there are changes in law, industry practice or the nature of our services.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee shares responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. All staff must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety procedures, method statements and instructions provided by management. Use vehicles, lifting equipment and tools only as trained and intended, and report any defects immediately. Wear appropriate clothing and protective equipment where required, such as gloves or safety footwear. Refrain from using alcohol or drugs, or being under the influence of substances that could affect safety at work or while driving. Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions and hazards without delay so that they can be addressed quickly.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We are committed to carrying out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for our work activities, including domestic removals, office moves, furniture collection and deliveries. Our risk assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, working in confined spaces such as stairwells, vehicle loading, road safety and interaction with the public.

From these assessments we develop safe systems of work and communicate them to our staff. These include guidelines on how to lift and carry items safely, the number of staff required for heavy or awkward loads, safe use of trolleys and moving equipment, and procedures for working in busy or restricted access locations.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is central to removal services and presents a significant risk of injury if not controlled properly. To minimise this risk, we:

Provide training in correct lifting techniques and team lifting procedures. Plan jobs in advance, taking into account the size, weight and nature of items to be moved. Use suitable handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets whenever practical. Avoid asking staff to lift items beyond their capability and ensure that large or heavy items are handled by sufficient team members. Inspect handling equipment regularly and remove from use any item that is damaged or unsafe.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are critical to our operations, and their safe use is essential for protecting our staff and the public. We ensure that vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks and servicing in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements. Drivers are expected to carry out basic pre-use checks and report defects immediately.

All drivers must hold an appropriate driving licence and follow safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, parking safely and securing loads properly so that they do not move in transit. Journey planning takes into account traffic, access restrictions and loading arrangements to minimise risks while serving our removal service area.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams often work in customer homes, offices and shared spaces. We will take reasonable steps to protect customers, their property and members of the public from harm arising from our activities. This includes keeping walkways clear where possible, using floor protection when appropriate, stacking items safely and avoiding blocking fire exits or access routes.

Where there are particular on-site risks, such as narrow staircases, fragile features or busy communal areas, our team will assess the situation and adapt their working methods or request additional support when necessary to ensure safe working.

Training, Information and Supervision

We recognise that training and supervision are essential to safe operations. New staff receive induction covering our health and safety expectations, incident reporting, manual handling principles and vehicle safety. Ongoing training is provided where work methods change or additional risks are identified.

Supervisors and experienced team members are responsible for guiding less experienced staff, monitoring standards on jobs and reinforcing safe practices, particularly during complex or high-risk moves.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and instances of property damage must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Our staff are briefed on basic emergency procedures, including how to respond to injuries, fire, vehicle breakdowns and other unforeseen events while on removal jobs or in transit. Where appropriate, emergency services will be contacted without delay.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man With a Van Earls Court is committed to continually improving health and safety performance. We review this policy on a regular basis, and also after any significant change in operations, equipment or relevant regulations. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and used to refine our procedures and raise standards across our services.

By working together to follow this Health and Safety Policy, we aim to deliver efficient removal services while safeguarding the wellbeing of our staff, customers and the wider community in our service area.