Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Brixton
Man and a Van Brixton 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 activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removal services, including lifting and carrying, loading and unloading, packing, transportation and work at customer premises.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and unsafe practices by identifying, assessing and controlling risks in all aspects of our operations. Health and safety is an integral part of our planning and decision-making for every removal job, from small local moves to larger or more complex relocations.
We will maintain safe systems of work, provide appropriate information, instruction and training, and monitor our performance to achieve continual improvement in health and safety standards.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this policy and for ensuring that health and safety considerations are given equal priority with other business objectives. This includes the following key duties:
Ensuring that adequate resources are provided for health and safety, including suitable equipment, training and supervision.
Carrying out and regularly reviewing risk assessments for all relevant activities, including manual handling, driving and on-site operations.
Providing clear procedures for safe working, including loading and unloading, use of equipment and working in customers homes and workplaces.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to determine causes and prevent recurrence.
Keeping up to date with relevant health and safety requirements and good practice for the removals industry and road transport.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. This includes:
Following all safety procedures, instructions and training provided by Man and a Van Brixton.
Using equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly and reporting defects immediately.
Working in a way that minimises risk to customers, their property, colleagues and members of the public.
Reporting accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions and hazards as soon as they are identified.
Not misusing or interfering with anything provided in the interests of health and safety.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Risk assessments are carried out for our main activities and are reviewed regularly and whenever there are changes in work methods, equipment or the nature of services provided. Site-specific assessments are made when necessary, for example where there are unusual access issues, heavy or awkward items, restricted parking or shared areas with other businesses or households.
Safe working practices are developed from these assessments and cover topics such as safe lifting and carrying techniques, use of trolleys and moving equipment, stacking and securing loads, and safe movement in and around properties and vehicles.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of removal work, and we recognise the potential risks of musculoskeletal injuries. To manage these risks:
Staff receive instruction on correct lifting techniques, team lifting and the use of mechanical aids.
Where practical, appropriate handling equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, straps and blankets is provided and must be used.
Heavy, awkward or fragile items are assessed individually to determine safe methods of movement and the number of staff required.
Loads are kept as light and stable as possible, and staff are instructed to refuse tasks that would be unsafe or beyond their capability.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and must be operated safely at all times.
Vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition with regular checks and servicing in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.
Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow the Highway Code and operate vehicles responsibly, allowing for traffic, weather and local conditions.
Loads must be distributed evenly and secured correctly to prevent movement or damage during transit.
Drivers are expected to plan routes to reduce unnecessary risk and to park and load or unload in locations that are as safe as reasonably possible.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our teams work in a range of environments, including private homes, shared buildings, streets and commercial premises. To protect customers and the public:
Access routes are checked for hazards such as tripping risks, loose carpets, poor lighting, steps and uneven ground.
Where necessary, staff will request that obstacles are moved or that access is rearranged before proceeding.
Care is taken to keep doorways, corridors and stairways as clear as possible while loading and unloading.
Team members communicate with each other and with customers to coordinate movements and avoid collisions or other incidents.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man and a Van Brixton provides ongoing training and information to ensure that staff are competent for their roles. This may include induction training, job-specific training, toolbox talks and refreshers on topics such as manual handling, vehicle safety and customer care.
Supervision is provided appropriate to each team member’s experience and the complexity of the work. New or less experienced staff are monitored more closely, especially during higher-risk activities.
Welfare, Health and Wellbeing
We recognise that removal work can be physically demanding and may involve long or irregular hours. We aim to support the wellbeing of our staff by:
Encouraging suitable rest breaks and hydration during working days.
Discouraging unsafe levels of overtime or driving while tired.
Taking into account medical or fitness issues where disclosed, and adjusting tasks where reasonably practicable.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, injuries, damage, dangerous occurrences and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to investigate the circumstances, record the details, identify causes and implement measures to prevent similar events in the future.
Where required, notifications will be made to relevant authorities in line with applicable regulations.
Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our operations, applicable standards or identified areas for improvement. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and will be considered as part of this review process.
By working together and following this policy, Man and a Van Brixton aims to deliver professional removal services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved.
