Man and Van Notting Hill Health and Safety Policy

Man and Van Notting Hill 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 removals and delivery operations. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks associated with moving, loading, transporting, and unloading goods.

Policy Aim and Scope

The aim of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property that may arise from our man and van and removal activities. It applies to all workers engaged by Man and Van Notting Hill, including drivers, porters, office staff, and any subcontractors working under our direction, as well as customers present at collection and delivery locations.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining effective health and safety standards throughout all services. This includes ensuring that:

All activities are planned and supervised with safety as a priority, suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out and reviewed regularly, workers are provided with appropriate training, information, and instruction, safe and well-maintained equipment and vehicles are supplied, and accidents, near misses, and incidents are recorded, investigated, and acted upon.

Employee Responsibilities

Every worker has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must:

Follow all safety instructions and procedures, use equipment, vehicles, and protective gear correctly, report hazards, defects, and incidents immediately to management, cooperate with risk assessments and training, and not misuse or interfere with anything provided for health, safety, and welfare.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Risk assessments are undertaken for key tasks involved in our removal and transport services, such as manual handling, loading and unloading, driving, and working at or near customer premises. Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments and communicated to all staff. These procedures are reviewed and updated whenever there are significant changes in work practices, equipment, or legislation, or following any significant incident.

Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a key focus of our safety arrangements. To reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other injuries, we:

Train staff in correct lifting techniques, team lifting, and the safe use of equipment, assess the weight, shape, and stability of items before lifting or moving, use trolleys, dollies, straps, and other handling aids whenever practical, avoid lifting loads that are too heavy or awkward for the staff available, and plan routes to keep them clear of obstacles, uneven surfaces, and slip or trip hazards.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vans are vital to our man and van services and must be operated safely at all times. We ensure that:

Vehicles are maintained, inspected, and serviced at appropriate intervals, loads are distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit, drivers hold the correct licence and are competent to drive the vehicle they are assigned, driving hours and breaks are managed to reduce fatigue, and drivers follow all road traffic rules and adjust their driving to weather and traffic conditions.

Safe Loading and Unloading

Loading and unloading activities are carried out in a way that protects staff, customers, and the public. This includes:

Assessing access points, doorways, stairs, and lifts before work begins, using appropriate lifting and securing equipment to handle heavy or bulky items, keeping loading areas as clear as possible to minimise trips and collisions, positioning vehicles to reduce reversing and interaction with pedestrians, and never exceeding vehicle load limits or stacking goods unsafely.

Premises and Site Safety

When working at customers premises, we take care to protect people and property. Our team will:

Identify hazards such as narrow staircases, loose flooring, and poor lighting, protect floors and walls where reasonably practicable, communicate clearly with customers before moving large or fragile items, avoid blocking emergency exits and pathways, and keep tools and equipment safely stored when not in use.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Man and Van Notting Hill provides equipment that is suitable for removal tasks, and ensures it is used and maintained correctly. Where necessary, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, and high-visibility clothing will be issued and must be worn in accordance with instructions. Faulty or damaged equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of use until it has been inspected or repaired.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All staff receive health and safety induction training and role-specific instruction relevant to removal and driving duties. Additional training is provided where new equipment, vehicles, or procedures are introduced. Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure that safe systems are followed and provide guidance and correction where required.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, and near misses that occur during removal and transport work must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records are kept to help identify trends and implement improvements. Staff are briefed on emergency procedures, including how to respond to injuries, fires, and vehicle breakdowns, and the importance of contacting emergency services when necessary.

Customer Responsibilities

Customers also have a role in maintaining a safe environment. We ask customers to:

Provide clear and accurate information about access, parking, and any known hazards, ensure driveways, paths, and internal routes are reasonably clear and well lit, keep pets and children away from loading areas, and avoid asking staff to move items that have been identified as unsafe or too heavy without additional support or equipment.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man and Van Notting Hill is committed to continually improving its health and safety performance. We monitor our procedures, investigate incidents, and seek feedback from staff and customers to refine our practices. This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated whenever necessary to reflect changes in our operations, industry standards, or legal requirements.