Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Bermondsey
Man and a Van Bermondsey is committed to providing safe and healthy working conditions for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, unloading, transportation, and storage of household and commercial goods.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing proportionate control measures. We aim to meet or exceed all relevant health and safety legislation applicable to our operations as a removal and man and van company. Health and safety considerations are integral to our planning, decision-making, and day-to-day work.
Management has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and for providing resources, information, and supervision to support safe working practices. All workers are expected to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions during removal and transport tasks.
Roles and Responsibilities
Management is responsible for establishing safe systems of work, ensuring vehicles and equipment are properly maintained, arranging relevant training, and carrying out suitable and sufficient risk assessments. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring day-to-day compliance with this policy on each job, ensuring that lifting techniques and loading practices are followed.
Employees and contractors must follow instructions, use equipment correctly, cooperate with risk controls, report hazards or incidents promptly, and refrain from taking shortcuts that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers, or the public. Everyone working with or on behalf of Man and a Van Bermondsey has a duty to behave responsibly on and around client property and in public areas.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We conduct risk assessments for our removal and delivery activities, including site access, stairways, lifting and carrying, loading and unloading, driving, and working in differing weather and light conditions. Control measures may include the use of additional staff for heavy or awkward items, using moving aids, planning safe routes for carrying goods, and adapting work methods to each location.
Before each job, our team will review access routes, identify any obstacles or hazards, and plan how to move items safely. Where conditions change or unforeseen risks are identified, work will be paused while alternative safer arrangements are agreed and implemented.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core element of our removal work, and we place strong emphasis on correct lifting and carrying techniques. Staff receive guidance on safe manual handling, including assessing the load, using team lifts where necessary, maintaining good posture, and avoiding twisting while carrying heavy items.
We use appropriate mechanical aids such as trolleys, dollies, and straps wherever reasonably practicable to reduce the risk of back injuries, strains, or crush injuries. Equipment is inspected regularly, and any damaged or defective items are taken out of service until repaired or replaced. Staff must never exceed their physical capabilities or attempt to move items that are too heavy or unstable without assistance.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular checks on brakes, tyres, lights, securing points, and other safety-critical components. Loads are arranged and secured to prevent movement during transit, taking into account the weight, size, and fragility of items.
Drivers must comply with all road traffic laws, drive responsibly, and adjust their driving style to account for vehicle weight and road conditions. Use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving is prohibited, except through approved hands-free systems where legally allowed. Drivers are expected to carry out basic pre-use vehicle checks and report any defects immediately.
Working at Customer Premises
Our teams work in a variety of residential and commercial environments. We are committed to protecting our clients, their visitors, and the public from risks arising from our activities. This includes keeping access routes as clear as reasonably possible, using warning signs or verbal warnings where appropriate, and ensuring that doors, gates, and communal areas are left safe and secure.
We take care to protect property by using suitable lifting techniques, avoiding dragging heavy items on floors, and using protection materials where appropriate to reduce the risk of damage. Any accidental damage or near misses are reported internally so that lessons can be learned and working practices improved.
Personal Protective Equipment and Welfare
Where necessary, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, and high-visibility clothing is provided and must be worn in accordance with risk assessments and instructions. PPE is considered a last line of defence and does not replace the need for safe systems of work.
We promote good welfare standards by allowing reasonable rest breaks, especially during physically demanding moves or in extreme temperatures. Staff are encouraged to remain hydrated and to report any signs of fatigue, heat stress, or ill health that could compromise safety.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All workers receive appropriate information about the hazards associated with removals and van driving, along with guidance on control measures. New staff are inducted into our health and safety arrangements and supervised until they are deemed competent to work more independently.
We review training needs periodically and whenever new equipment, vehicles, or procedures are introduced. Refresher training and toolbox talks are used to reinforce key messages on manual handling, safe driving, and working at customer premises.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and unsafe conditions must be reported as soon as possible to management. We investigate these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions designed to prevent recurrence. Information from investigations is shared with staff when relevant to improve awareness and understanding.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective, up to date, and appropriate for the scale and nature of our man and van and removal operations. We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and to fostering a culture in which everyone feels responsible for maintaining safe working practices.
