Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Pimlico

Man with 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 transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods in our service areas.

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment. Health and safety is a core part of how we plan and deliver every removal, whether it involves a single item or a full household or office relocation.

Management Responsibility and Commitment

The management of Man with Van Pimlico accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance. We will provide the leadership, resources and support needed to ensure that this policy is implemented and maintained.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for promoting safe working practices, ensuring that risk controls are followed, and taking prompt action where health and safety concerns are raised. We will review this policy periodically and update it when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice and the nature of our operations.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and contractor working with Man with Van Pimlico 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 are required to:

Follow safe systems of work and instructions provided during training; Use any equipment, tools and personal protective equipment supplied in the correct manner; Report hazards, near misses, incidents and unsafe conditions without delay; Cooperate with management to enable compliance with legal and company requirements; Avoid horseplay, unsafe behaviour or shortcuts that could increase risk.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will identify, assess and manage the risks associated with our removal, loading and transportation activities. Suitable and proportionate risk assessments will be carried out for typical tasks, such as moving heavy items, using trolleys, working in stairwells, and operating in busy streets or tight access areas.

Where necessary, specific assessments will be completed for unusual, complex or high-risk jobs. The results of these assessments will be used to develop safe systems of work and to decide on appropriate control measures, including staffing levels, equipment requirements and methods of lifting or carrying.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant element of our removal work. To minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, we will:

Provide training on correct lifting techniques and team handling; Use handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets where appropriate; Plan the route of removal to avoid unnecessary carrying, twisting or reaching; Assess the weight, shape and stability of items before moving them; Avoid asking a single operative to move loads that require team lifting.

Equipment provided by the company will be maintained in a safe condition and checked regularly for wear or damage. Any defects must be reported immediately and the equipment taken out of use until it has been repaired or replaced.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our services and must be operated safely at all times. Man with Van Pimlico will:

Ensure vehicles are roadworthy, regularly serviced and inspected; Require drivers to hold the correct licence and to comply with road traffic laws; Promote courteous, defensive driving and strict adherence to speed limits; Secure loads properly to prevent shifting, damage or risk to other road users; Prohibit driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair performance.

Drivers must conduct basic checks before use, report defects immediately and not operate any vehicle they believe to be unsafe.

Work at Customer Premises

When working at customer properties, including houses, flats, offices and storage facilities, we will seek to minimise disruption and ensure safety for all present. Our teams will:

Assess access points, stairways, corridors and lifts for potential hazards; Take care to protect floors, walls and fixtures where reasonably practicable; Keep walkways clear of obstacles, packaging and equipment whenever possible; Communicate clearly with customers about the timing and nature of tasks; Avoid blocking fire exits or emergency routes during loading and unloading.

Customers are requested to inform us of any known hazards, such as loose flooring, restricted access, fragile items or specific building regulations that apply to their premises.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Pimlico will provide appropriate health and safety training and information to all staff relevant to their duties. This may include induction training, manual handling techniques, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, and emergency procedures.

Supervisors and experienced team members will monitor work on site, provide guidance to less experienced staff and take corrective action where unsafe practices are observed. Refresher training will be arranged as required, particularly when new equipment, vehicles or methods are introduced.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Arrangements

All accidents, near misses and incidents, however minor, must be reported as soon as practicable. This information is vital for identifying trends, preventing recurrence and improving our procedures.

We will maintain appropriate records of accidents and investigate significant incidents to understand root causes and implement corrective actions. Our teams are briefed on basic emergency procedures, including how to respond to injuries, fires, road incidents and other unexpected events during removals or transport.

Wellbeing and Fitness for Work

The physical nature of removal work demands that staff are fit and well enough to perform their duties safely. Employees are encouraged to report any health concerns that could affect their ability to carry out manual handling or driving tasks safely.

Man with Van Pimlico does not tolerate the use of illegal drugs or misuse of alcohol in connection with work. We reserve the right to remove from duty any individual who appears unfit for work or whose behaviour creates a safety risk.

Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy reflects our ongoing commitment to improving standards in all areas of our operations. We will periodically review our procedures, learn from experience and adapt to changes in our services and working environments.

By working together and following the principles outlined in this policy, Man with Van Pimlico aims to ensure that every removal and transport job is completed as safely and efficiently as possible, protecting our staff, customers and the wider community.