Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for West Hampstead Man and Van
West Hampstead Man and Van 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 removals and man and van activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and arrangements we apply to protect people, property, and the environment while carrying out our services.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, to control risks arising from our removal operations, and to continuously improve our health and safety performance. We aim to ensure that all lifting, carrying, driving, loading, unloading, and handling of goods are undertaken as safely as reasonably practicable.
Legal Responsibilities and Standards
We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice relating to removals, transport, manual handling, and workplace safety. We review this policy periodically to reflect developments in law, guidance, and our operational practices, as well as after any significant incident or change in our services.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining effective health and safety arrangements across all removal jobs and service areas. This includes:
Ensuring suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out.
Providing appropriate equipment, vehicles, and safety resources.
Making sure staff are properly trained and supervised.
Investigating accidents, near misses, and hazards, and acting on findings.
Allocating adequate time and resources to health and safety management.
Employee Responsibilities
Employees at West Hampstead Man and Van have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. All staff must:
Follow training, instructions, and safe systems of work.
Use equipment and vehicles correctly and report any defects.
Cooperate with management on all health and safety matters.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses, and potential hazards immediately.
Refrain from acting in a way that could put themselves or others at risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading, use of trolleys and lifting aids, access to properties, stair work, parking, and road-side operations. The findings of these assessments are used to develop safe working procedures that are communicated to staff and reviewed regularly.
Before each job, our team assesses site-specific conditions such as access routes, parking arrangements, the weight and size of items, and any particular hazards at the property. If conditions are unsafe or significantly different from those expected, work may be paused while control measures are put in place or alternative arrangements are agreed.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. We:
Provide manual handling training and guidance on safe lifting techniques.
Encourage team lifting for heavier or awkward items.
Use equipment such as trolleys, dollies, and straps where appropriate.
Plan routes in advance to avoid unnecessary carrying and obstacles.
Require staff to refuse unsafe lifts or movements that exceed safe limits.
Vehicles, Driving, and Road Safety
Our vehicles are maintained to a safe standard, inspected regularly, and used in line with legal requirements and internal procedures. Drivers must:
Hold the correct licence for the vehicle being driven.
Carry out basic pre-use checks and report defects without delay.
Comply with road traffic laws and safe driving practices.
Plan routes sensibly to minimise risks such as difficult access or congestion.
Avoid driving when unfit due to fatigue, medication, alcohol, or any impairment.
Use of Equipment and Protective Measures
All equipment used during removal work, including lifting aids, blankets, straps, ramps, and other tools, must be suitable, properly maintained, and used in accordance with training and instructions. Where necessary, staff are provided with protective clothing and equipment, such as gloves and safety footwear, which must be worn as directed.
Customer and Public Safety
We take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors, neighbours, and members of the public while working. This includes:
Maintaining clear access routes and avoiding trip hazards.
Controlling vehicle movements during loading and unloading.
Using warning where necessary to highlight risks.
Seeking to minimise noise, obstruction, and disruption near properties.
Ensuring that children, pets, and bystanders are kept away from hazardous areas.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All staff receive appropriate induction and on-the-job training related to health and safety, safe lifting, vehicle use, handling of furniture and equipment, and customer care. Refresher training is provided where necessary or when new procedures or equipment are introduced. Supervisors and team leaders monitor work practices and provide guidance and correction whenever required.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and hazardous occurrences that arise from our activities must be reported as soon as possible. We record and investigate incidents to identify underlying causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence. Where required, we will cooperate with any external investigations and follow reporting obligations to the relevant authorities.
Health, Welfare, and Fitness for Work
We recognise the physical nature of removal work and are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our staff. Employees are expected to present themselves fit for work, and to report any conditions that may affect their ability to work safely. We actively discourage unsafe workloads and encourage staff to speak up if tasks feel beyond safe capability.
Continuous Improvement
West Hampstead Man and Van is dedicated to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We review this policy on a regular basis, taking into account feedback from staff and customers, incident data, changes to legislation, and developments in best practice within the removals and man and van sector.
This Health and Safety policy is communicated to all employees and is available to customers and other interested parties on request. Everyone involved in our operations is expected to support and uphold these principles so that removals and related services are carried out safely and responsibly in all areas we serve.
