Health and Safety policy
Man with Van Marylebone Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Marylebone 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 removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, driving and operating within residential and commercial locations.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment during all moving and transportation work. Health and Safety considerations are integral to the planning and delivery of every removal job, from small flat moves to larger house and office relocations.
We aim to:
Identify and control risks associated with manual handling, vehicle use, loading and unloading, access to premises and the use of equipment and packing materials.
Provide information, instruction and training so that our team can work safely and responsibly at all times.
Comply with applicable health and safety legislation, industry guidance and good practice relevant to moving and transport services.
Consult with workers and encourage feedback from customers to improve our safety performance.
Roles and Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for Health and Safety rests with the company management of Man with Van Marylebone. Management will ensure that appropriate resources are allocated for safe working practices, training, supervision and equipment maintenance.
All employees and contractors engaged by Man with Van Marylebone are responsible for:
Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Following safe systems of work, training, instructions and risk control measures provided by the company.
Reporting hazards, near misses, accidents and any defects in vehicles or equipment immediately to management.
Cooperating with any investigation or review process intended to improve safety standards.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before and during each removal job, we consider the specific risks linked to the property, access routes, items to be moved and the journey to and from the site. Risk assessment is an ongoing process and may include:
Evaluating access, stairs, lifts, tight corridors, parking arrangements and loading areas.
Assessing the weight, size and fragility of items to be carried, including furniture, appliances and boxed belongings.
Identifying potential hazards such as uneven surfaces, wet or slippery floors, low lighting and obstacles.
Taking weather and traffic conditions into account to plan safe vehicle movements.
Based on these assessments, we adopt safe systems of work that may cover the number of operatives required, the use of moving equipment, the sequence of loading, and clear communication between team members.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core element of removal services and is treated as a significant safety priority. Our approach includes:
Training staff in correct lifting and carrying techniques to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Encouraging team lifting for heavy or awkward items and prohibiting attempts to move loads that are beyond an individual’s safe capability.
Using appropriate handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets whenever required and ensuring they are in good condition.
Planning routes in advance so that carrying distances, stairs and obstacles are minimised where possible.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to our moving services and are managed with safety as a priority. Man with Van Marylebone will:
Ensure vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks on brakes, tyres, lights and securing points.
Require drivers to hold the appropriate licence for the vehicles they operate and to follow road traffic laws at all times.
Secure loads correctly so that items do not move during transit, reducing the risk of damage or injury on unloading.
Plan routes to avoid unnecessary risks, taking account of access restrictions, loading zones, traffic conditions and time constraints.
Customer, Public and Property Protection
We recognise our duty of care not only to our staff but also to customers, neighbours and the public when carrying out removals. To minimise risk we will:
Maintain clear walkways, keeping doors, stairwells and entrances as free as possible from trip hazards such as packing materials and loose items.
Use protective coverings where appropriate to help safeguard floors, walls and doorways during moves.
Take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised access to loading areas and vehicles while work is in progress.
Communicate clearly with customers about the timing and nature of our work so they can remain clear of moving operations where necessary.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man with Van Marylebone provides ongoing Health and Safety training appropriate to the tasks carried out by our teams. This includes:
Induction training in company safety procedures and expectations for all new staff.
Instruction on manual handling, use of moving equipment, vehicle loading and safe driving practices.
Guidance on hazard identification, incident reporting and emergency action.
Supervision of less experienced workers and regular briefings to reinforce safe working habits.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and cases of damage to property must be reported promptly to management. This enables us to investigate causes, implement corrective actions and prevent recurrence.
Our teams are briefed on how to respond in emergencies such as personal injury, fire, road traffic incidents and sudden health issues during a move. This includes summoning emergency services where required and securing the area to prevent further harm.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
We monitor our Health and Safety performance by reviewing incident reports, staff feedback and customer comments. The Health and Safety policy is reviewed periodically and updated when there are changes in legislation, working methods or the nature of the services we provide.
Man with Van Marylebone is committed to continuous improvement. By working together with our employees and customers, we strive to maintain a safe, efficient and reliable removal service across our operating area.
