Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Pimlico
Man and a Van Pimlico 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 policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all moving, lifting, loading, unloading and transport operations.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment arising from our removal services. We aim to:
Identify, assess and control risks associated with removals, deliveries and related services.
Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry guidance.
Promote a culture of safety and responsibility among all team members.
Continuously improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man and a Van Pimlico holds overall responsibility for the implementation of this policy and for providing the resources necessary to maintain safe operations. Management will:
Regularly review this policy to ensure it remains suitable and effective.
Carry out or arrange risk assessments for typical removal tasks including lifting, carrying, loading and driving.
Provide appropriate equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment in good working order.
Ensure that employees receive appropriate training, information and supervision to work safely.
Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses with the aim of preventing recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular contractors 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. Every team member must:
Follow company procedures and safe systems of work at all times.
Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly and report defects immediately.
Cooperate with management on all health and safety matters, including training and instruction.
Report hazards, incidents and near misses as soon as possible.
Refrain from engaging in horseplay, dangerous shortcuts or any action that may put themselves or others at risk.
Never work under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or any substance that may impair judgement or performance.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We conduct risk assessments for our core activities to identify significant hazards and implement suitable control measures. These activities include, but are not limited to:
Manual handling of furniture, appliances, boxes and other household or commercial items.
Loading and unloading vehicles in residential streets, commercial premises and shared access areas.
Driving, manoeuvring and parking vehicles in busy urban environments.
Working in customers premises, including flats, houses, offices and storage facilities.
Safe systems of work are developed and communicated to staff, covering how each task is to be carried out to minimise risk. These systems are reviewed periodically and updated as needed.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of our removal service and is a key focus of our health and safety arrangements. To reduce the risk of strain, sprain and other injuries, we will:
Provide manual handling training, including correct lifting techniques and team lifts.
Encourage staff to assess the load, route and environment before moving any item.
Use mechanical aids such as trolleys, dollies and straps where reasonably practicable.
Rotate tasks where possible to avoid prolonged repetitive lifting.
Instruct employees to refrain from lifting items that are beyond their capabilities and to seek assistance or alternative methods.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are essential to providing a reliable man and van removal service and are maintained to high safety standards. We are committed to:
Ensuring that vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and kept roadworthy.
Requiring drivers to hold appropriate driving licences and maintain good driving records.
Planning routes and loading to avoid overloading and to secure loads safely for transport.
Encouraging safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, parking rules and road traffic laws.
Discouraging the use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving, except through appropriate hands-free systems where permitted by law.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our teams frequently work in and around customers homes, offices and shared spaces. We take reasonable steps to protect customers and the public by:
Maintaining clear walkways where possible and managing trip hazards such as packing materials and tools.
Using caution signs or verbal warnings where there is increased risk, for example on stairs, ramps or narrow corridors.
Positioning vehicles so that loading and unloading is carried out safely and with minimal obstruction to others.
Respecting customers property and promptly reporting any accidental damage.
Equipment and Personal Protective Gear
We select and maintain suitable equipment for removal work. Where necessary, we provide personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing. All equipment and protective gear must be used as instructed, and any defects must be reported for repair or replacement.
Training, Information and Supervision
Man and a Van Pimlico recognises that effective health and safety management depends on competent staff. Training may cover:
Manual handling techniques and use of lifting aids.
Safe loading and securing of goods in vehicles.
Awareness of common hazards in domestic and commercial removal settings.
Emergency procedures, including fire safety and first aid arrangements.
New employees receive induction training, and ongoing instruction is provided as needed. Supervisors and experienced staff monitor performance to ensure that safe practices are followed.
Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses
All accidents, incidents and near misses that occur during our work must be reported to management. Where required by law, incidents will be recorded and, if applicable, reported to the relevant enforcing authorities. We use this information to identify trends and introduce improvements to our procedures.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We value the input of our staff and customers in improving health and safety. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns or suggestions, and management will consider this feedback when reviewing policies and procedures. This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly, and whenever there are significant changes in our operations or in applicable regulations.
Policy Review and Communication
This policy is communicated to all employees and made available to customers upon request. It is reviewed at regular intervals to ensure it remains up to date with current legislation, industry standards and the nature of our removal activities. Man and a Van Pimlico is committed to upholding this policy in all aspects of its work.
