Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Marylebone
Man and a Van Marylebone is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, 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 home removals, office moves, furniture deliveries, and related services.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We recognise that professional moving and transport work involves manual handling, driving, loading and unloading vehicles, and working in a variety of locations and building types. We are committed to preventing injury, ill health, and damage to property by actively managing these risks and continuously improving our health and safety performance.
Health and safety is an integral part of our planning and day-to-day operations. All staff are expected to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others, and to follow our safe systems of work at all times.
Legal Compliance and Responsibilities
Man and a Van Marylebone complies with relevant health and safety legislation applicable to removal and transport operations. We ensure that our policies and procedures are reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in law, best practice, or the nature of the services we provide.
The management team is responsible for implementing this policy, providing resources, and ensuring that health and safety standards are maintained. Employees and contractors are responsible for cooperating with these arrangements, following instructions and training, and reporting any hazards, near-misses, or incidents immediately.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before undertaking removal or delivery work, we assess the risks associated with each job as far as is reasonably practicable. This includes considering access routes, stairs and lifts, parking and loading areas, size and weight of items, and any specific customer requirements.
Where significant risks are identified, suitable control measures are put in place, such as using additional staff, employing lifting equipment or trolleys where appropriate, planning vehicle positioning carefully, and adjusting the method of work to reduce the risk of injury or damage.
Safe systems of work are communicated to staff and applied consistently across domestic and commercial removal tasks to ensure that loads are moved, carried, and transported in a safe and controlled manner.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Lifting and carrying is a core part of removal work and presents a significant risk of strain or injury if not carried out correctly. Our staff receive guidance on safe manual handling techniques, including team lifting, assessing the weight and stability of items, and using correct posture.
When required, we use suitable moving aids such as trolleys, skates, and straps to reduce manual handling risks. Equipment is inspected regularly and used only by staff who have been shown how to operate it safely. Unsafe, damaged, or unsuitable equipment is removed from service immediately.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and are maintained to a safe standard. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, load securing points, and other safety-critical components. Any defects are reported and rectified promptly.
Drivers are expected to comply with road traffic laws, drive considerately, and adapt their driving to road, weather, and traffic conditions. Loads are secured properly to prevent movement during transit, and vehicles are not overloaded. Parking and loading are planned, where possible, to minimise risks to staff and the public.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We take care to protect customers and members of the public during our work. This includes keeping access routes as clear as possible, using caution when moving large or bulky items, and communicating with customers about any temporary restrictions or hazards within their property during the move.
Where necessary, we may use simple controls such as signage, cones, or verbal instructions to help manage the interface between our work and public areas. We also make every reasonable effort to avoid damage to property and to maintain safe access and egress at all times.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All staff receive appropriate information on our health and safety procedures and the specific risks associated with removal work. This may include guidance on manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle loading and unloading, working in confined or shared spaces, and dealing with unexpected hazards.
New staff are introduced to our safety standards as part of their induction, and existing staff are reminded of key requirements as needed. Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure that procedures are followed, and they provide feedback and support where improvements are required.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where the nature of the work requires it, suitable personal protective equipment may be provided, such as gloves or high-visibility garments. Staff are expected to use any issued protective equipment correctly and to report loss, damage, or defects so that replacements can be arranged.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, near-misses, and cases of damage to property must be reported as soon as possible. This allows us to investigate causes, take corrective action, and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Our staff are made aware of basic emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, injury, or sudden illness while on a job. Where required, they follow customer or building-specific emergency instructions when working on site.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
Man and a Van Marylebone monitors the effectiveness of this Health and Safety Policy through day-to-day supervision, incident reporting, and periodic reviews. We aim to learn from experience, feedback, and changes in industry practice so that our standards continue to improve.
This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains relevant to the services we provide across our operating area and that it reflects current legal requirements and recognised best practice in the removal and transport sector.
Policy Communication
This Health and Safety Policy is made available to employees, contractors, and customers on request. All staff are expected to familiarise themselves with its contents and to carry out their duties in a way that supports a safe, professional, and responsible removal service.
