Man With a Van Primrose Hill Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Primrose Hill is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team, our customers and the wider public. As a professional removal service, we recognise that our activities involve manual handling, driving, loading and unloading, and working in and around domestic and commercial properties. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all our moving and transport services.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to prevent injury, protect property, and minimise risks associated with moving and transport work. We aim to:

Identify, assess and control hazards connected with removal operations, transport, loading and unloading.

Provide safe systems of work for all tasks carried out by our staff.

Ensure all vehicles and equipment are maintained in a safe condition.

Supply clear information, instruction and training to staff so they can work safely and responsibly.

Consult with workers on health and safety matters and encourage feedback and reporting of issues.

Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man With a Van Primrose Hill is responsible for implementing and reviewing this policy. This includes:

Carrying out and regularly updating risk assessments for typical removal activities, including lifting and carrying, stair work, vehicle loading, driving and working in confined or cluttered spaces.

Ensuring that staff have access to appropriate equipment such as trolleys, straps, moving blankets and personal protective equipment where necessary.

Checking that drivers hold valid licences and are competent to operate vehicles used for our services.

Maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy condition with regular inspections and servicing.

Investigating incidents, accidents and near misses, and implementing measures to prevent recurrence.

Reviewing this policy periodically and updating it when our operations or legal requirements change.

Employee Responsibilities

All staff working for Man With a Van Primrose Hill, including permanent, temporary and contracted workers, have personal responsibilities for health and safety. Each team member must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow the training, instructions and safe systems of work provided.

Use equipment correctly and not misuse or intentionally damage any safety device or vehicle feature.

Report hazards, defects, near misses, injuries or unsafe conditions to management without delay.

Cooperate fully with any investigation, inspection or review related to health and safety.

Refrain from working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that could impair safe performance of tasks.

Safe Moving and Handling

Manual handling is a core part of our removal and man and van services, and we manage this risk through:

Assessing each job in advance where possible, considering access, staircases, parking, large or heavy items, and fragile goods.

Using mechanical aids such as sack trucks, dollies and sliders whenever practical to reduce strain.

Ensuring team lifting is used for heavy or awkward items such as furniture, appliances and bulky boxes.

Training staff in correct lifting and carrying techniques and the importance of not exceeding their personal limits.

Planning routes through properties to keep walkways clear and reduce the chance of slips, trips and falls.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

The safe operation of our vans is essential to our health and safety policy. We therefore:

Carry out regular checks on tyres, brakes, lights, mirrors, securing points and loading areas.

Ensure loads are evenly distributed, properly secured and within the vehicle weight limit before starting any journey.

Expect all drivers to follow road traffic laws, adapt their driving to weather and traffic conditions, and take suitable breaks on longer journeys.

Discourage the use of mobile phones while driving, other than via legally compliant hands free solutions where absolutely necessary.

Plan routes to avoid unnecessary risks such as low bridges or unsuitable roads for loaded vans.

Customer and Public Safety

We take steps to protect customers, visitors and the general public during any moving or removal activity by:

Keeping access routes as clear as possible and advising customers of any temporary restrictions.

Using caution when carrying items through shared spaces, entrances and pavements.

Positioning vehicles safely to avoid blocking emergency access, crossings or creating traffic hazards.

Handling customer belongings with care to prevent damage to property, fixtures and fittings.

Being courteous, communicating clearly about planned work, and responding promptly to any safety concerns raised by customers.

Equipment and Property Protection

To maintain a safe environment and protect goods, we:

Use appropriate equipment such as moving blankets, corner protectors and straps when required.

Regularly inspect moving aids and replace them if they become damaged or unsafe.

Take particular care when moving items through tight spaces, stairwells and doorways.

Seek customer input regarding fragile, high value or unusually shaped items so that they can be moved with suitable precautions.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man With a Van Primrose Hill provides training and instruction so staff can perform their roles safely. This may include:

Induction training covering our health and safety procedures, emergency arrangements and reporting lines.

Practical guidance on manual handling, use of equipment, safe loading and unloading, and protection of property.

Ongoing supervision to ensure that safe working practices are followed consistently.

Refresher training when new equipment, vehicles or procedures are introduced.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our removal services. Feedback from staff and customers, together with any incident reports or changes in legislation, will be considered and used to improve our procedures. By working together and following this policy, Man With a Van Primrose Hill aims to deliver reliable, efficient and safe moving services throughout our operating area.