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, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures that guide our day-to-day operations when carrying household and commercial goods, loading and unloading vehicles, and working in homes, offices and communal areas.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We recognise our responsibility to manage health and safety risks arising from our removal services and associated activities. To meet this responsibility, Man with Van Marylebone commits to:

Identify and control workplace hazards related to lifting, carrying, driving, loading, unloading and working in confined or shared spaces.

Provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure employees are competent to perform their work safely.

Maintain vehicles, equipment and tools in a safe and serviceable condition.

Consult with workers on health and safety matters and encourage the reporting of hazards, near misses and incidents.

Continuously review and improve our health and safety procedures in line with best practice in the removals industry.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Marylebone has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and ensuring that effective arrangements are in place. Management will:

Set clear standards for safe working and communicate them to all staff and contractors.

Ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for typical removal tasks, including manual handling, use of trolleys, stair work, loading ramps and vehicle access.

Provide and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment where necessary, such as gloves, safety footwear and high-visibility clothing.

Ensure that all drivers are properly licensed, competent and aware of safe driving practices, particularly when operating in busy residential and commercial areas.

Investigate all reportable incidents and near misses to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff and operatives working for Man with Van Marylebone are required to:

Follow all safety instructions, risk assessments, method statements and training they have received.

Use equipment, vehicles and tools in accordance with training and manufacturer guidance.

Apply safe manual handling techniques when lifting and carrying items, and seek assistance or use equipment when loads are heavy, awkward or unstable.

Report hazards, defects in vehicles or equipment, unsafe practices, near misses and incidents to management without delay.

Wear any personal protective equipment provided and look after it appropriately.

Refrain from engaging in horseplay, dangerous behaviour or working while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Risk assessments are completed and reviewed regularly for all significant removal activities. These assessments consider hazards such as slips and trips, falls from height, manual handling injuries, vehicle movements, property damage and interaction with customers or the public. From these assessments we develop safe working practices to reduce risk to an acceptable level.

Before each job, staff are expected to review the relevant risk assessment and adapt their approach to the specific property layout, access routes, staircases, lifts, parking arrangements and any particular customer requirements. When conditions change on site, staff must pause work where necessary and reassess the risks before continuing.

Manual Handling and Load Management

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and carries a risk of strains, sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries if not managed properly. Man with Van Marylebone provides training in safe lifting and carrying techniques and expects employees to:

Assess the weight, shape and stability of each item before attempting to move it.

Use team lifts, trolleys, straps or other handling aids whenever reasonably practicable.

Avoid twisting while lifting or carrying and keep loads close to the body.

Plan routes in advance to avoid obstacles, uneven surfaces and excessive stair use where alternatives exist.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our service and must be operated safely at all times. Man with Van Marylebone will ensure that vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained, with any defects reported promptly and rectified before further use. Drivers must:

Complete basic pre-use checks, including tyres, lights, brakes and securing of loads.

Secure goods in transit using straps, blankets and appropriate loading patterns to prevent movement and damage.

Observe speed limits and drive defensively, taking particular care in residential streets and near schools, shops and workplaces.

Avoid unsafe parking and loading practices that could endanger pedestrians, cyclists or other road users.

Working in Customer Premises

Our teams frequently work inside homes, offices and shared buildings. To protect customers, residents, staff and the public, we will:

Maintain clear access routes and keep walkways as free as possible from trip hazards such as boxes, tools and packing materials.

Use floor protection and corner guards where appropriate to prevent damage and reduce slipping risks.

Respect household rules, building regulations and any access arrangements agreed in advance.

Ensure that all staff behave professionally and courteously, minimising disruption while working efficiently and safely.

Training, Communication and Monitoring

All new employees receive health and safety induction training appropriate to their role. Ongoing training is provided where tasks, equipment or procedures change. We communicate safety updates during briefings and toolbox talks, and encourage two-way dialogue so that staff can raise concerns or suggest improvements.

Management monitors compliance with this Health and Safety Policy through inspections, performance reviews and the analysis of incident reports. Where shortcomings are identified, corrective actions will be taken, including additional training, revision of risk assessments or changes to working practices.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, equipment, legislation or industry guidance. Updated versions will be communicated to all staff and made available to customers on request. By following this policy, Man with Van Marylebone aims to deliver professional, efficient and safe removal services for every move we undertake.