Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Richmond upon Thames Man and Van

Richmond upon Thames Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and man and van activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with lifting, carrying, vehicle operations, access to properties and the handling of customer belongings.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent injuries, ill health, damage to property and environmental harm arising from our work. We will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. Health and safety considerations are integrated into every stage of our removal services, from initial enquiry and planning through to completion of each job.

Management accepts overall responsibility for ensuring that adequate resources, training and supervision are provided to maintain safe working conditions. Every employee and contractor is required to cooperate fully with this policy, to work safely at all times and to report any hazards, near misses or incidents without delay.

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for establishing and reviewing health and safety procedures, carrying out risk assessments, providing appropriate work equipment and ensuring that vehicles used for removals are maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing safety procedures on site, briefing staff on specific job risks and monitoring the use of safe systems of work.

All employees and contractors are responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must always follow training and instructions, use provided equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment and avoid taking unnecessary risks when lifting, carrying or moving items.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before each removal or man and van job, relevant risks will be assessed. This assessment may be conducted through a pre-move survey, job planning discussion or on-site inspection. Particular attention will be given to access routes, stairways, parking arrangements, manual handling requirements, large or awkward items, and any specific customer concerns.

Safe systems of work will be adopted to reduce identified risks, including the use of team lifting techniques, appropriate tools and equipment, and safe loading and unloading procedures. Where necessary, work may be postponed, re-planned or additional resources allocated if the original arrangements are assessed as unsafe.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal services and presents a significant risk of injury if not managed correctly. All staff involved in lifting and carrying will receive manual handling training covering posture, team coordination, assessment of load weight and stability, and recognition of their own physical limits.

Where practical, trolleys, skates, lifting straps and other handling aids will be used to minimise the need for heavy lifting. Items that are excessively heavy, large or fragile will be moved using additional personnel, mechanical assistance or specialist arrangements. Staff are instructed not to attempt to move any item that they consider unsafe to handle.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Vehicles used by Richmond upon Thames Man and Van for removals and deliveries will be maintained in good mechanical condition, with regular checks and servicing. Drivers must hold the appropriate valid licence, follow road traffic laws and operate vehicles in a courteous and safe manner.

Loads will be distributed evenly and secured correctly to prevent movement or shifting in transit. Doors, tail lifts and ramps will be operated according to instructions, and sufficient time will be allowed for safe loading and unloading at each location. Drivers are required to consider parking arrangements, surrounding traffic and pedestrian safety when positioning vehicles for work.

Customer and Public Safety

We aim to carry out all work with minimum disruption and maximum regard for the safety of customers, neighbours and the public. Where work requires moving large items through shared areas, pathways or entrances, our teams will take steps to keep these routes clear and to warn others of possible hazards.

Customers will be advised where their cooperation is needed, for example in keeping children and pets away from work areas, ensuring access routes are clear and communicating any known risks within the property such as loose flooring, low ceilings or restricted staircases.

Workplace Environment and Welfare

Our staff are entitled to a working environment that is as safe and healthy as reasonably practicable. This includes adequate breaks during demanding physical work, access to drinking water, and protection from foreseeable risks such as extreme weather when working outdoors or moving items between locations.

Where properties present additional risks, such as poor lighting or cluttered routes, our teams will attempt to resolve these where possible by improving lighting, reorganising access routes or using additional equipment. If risks cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, work may be suspended until conditions can be made safe.

Training, Information and Supervision

Richmond upon Thames Man and Van provides health and safety training relevant to the tasks undertaken by our staff. This may include induction training, manual handling, safe driving practices, equipment use and emergency procedures. Refresher training and toolbox talks will be provided as necessary to maintain awareness and good practice.

Information on specific job risks and control measures will be communicated before work begins. Less experienced staff will be supervised by more experienced colleagues until they are considered competent to work independently.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and damage to property arising from our activities must be reported to management as soon as possible. These reports will be recorded, investigated and used to identify root causes and opportunities for improvement.

Our teams are briefed on basic emergency procedures, including how to respond in the event of injury, fire, road traffic collision or sudden structural failure. Where necessary, work will be stopped immediately and the area made safe while the appropriate assistance is sought.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, equipment or legal requirements. Feedback from staff, customers and contractors is encouraged to help us identify risks, refine our methods and improve safety performance.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Richmond upon Thames Man and Van aims to deliver a reliable removals service while protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.