Health and Safety policy

Man and Van Ruislip Health and Safety Policy

Man and Van Ruislip is committed to providing safe and reliable removal services for customers, employees, contractors, and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles, responsibilities, and arrangements we follow to minimise risk during the handling, loading, transport, and unloading of goods as part of our man and van and removal services.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We aim to conduct all removal and transport activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health, damage to property, and disruption to the local community. Health and safety is treated as an integral part of planning every job, whether it involves a small collection, a full household move, or a commercial relocation.

We are committed to complying with all relevant health and safety legislation, guidance, and industry best practice. We review this policy regularly to reflect changes in our operations, applicable regulations, and the needs of our customers and workers.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man and Van Ruislip rests with the management, who ensure that suitable procedures, risk assessments, and training are in place for all removal and transport activities.

All employees and contractors working on behalf of Man and Van Ruislip are required to:

Follow safe working practices at all times during lifting, carrying, loading, driving, and unloading.

Use any provided equipment correctly and report defects immediately.

Report accidents, near misses, and hazardous situations so that corrective action can be taken.

Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and any associated procedures.

Customers also have a role in safety by providing accurate information about access, parking, and any unusual or hazardous items so that work can be planned safely.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Risk assessments are carried out for typical moving and transport tasks and are reviewed when new services, equipment, or work locations are introduced. Where a job presents unusual risks, such as restricted access, heavy or awkward items, or shared use of public spaces, additional assessment and control measures will be implemented.

Safe systems of work are developed and maintained for:

Domestic and commercial removals.

Loading and unloading vehicles in residential streets, business areas, and shared premises.

Handling large, fragile, or high value items.

Working in adverse weather or low light conditions.

These systems are communicated to all relevant workers and applied consistently across our service area.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Lifting and carrying are core aspects of our removal services, and careful attention is given to manual handling safety. Wherever possible, trolleys, dollies, straps, and other handling aids are used to reduce strain and avoid injury.

Our approach to manual handling includes:

Assessing the weight, shape, and stability of items before lifting.

Using team lifts for heavy or awkward loads and avoiding lone handling where it is not safe.

Maintaining clear walkways and safe lifting zones during packing, loading, and unloading.

Positioning vehicles to minimise carrying distances where this is safely achievable.

Any handling equipment is inspected regularly and removed from use if found to be defective or unsafe.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our removal services, and their safe operation is a priority. Vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks on tyres, brakes, lights, securing points, and loading areas.

Drivers and removal staff are expected to:

Carry out basic pre-use checks before setting off.

Secure loads properly using appropriate restraints to prevent movement during transit.

Comply with road traffic laws and drive considerately in residential and commercial areas.

Plan routes with safety and access in mind, especially in narrow streets or busy locations.

Vehicles must never be overloaded or used in a way that compromises safety or stability.

Site Safety, Access, and Parking

When working at customer premises, the safety of everyone on site is considered. Before starting, staff will assess access routes, stairways, lifts, doorways, and external areas to identify hazards such as uneven surfaces, trip risks, or obstructions.

Parking and vehicle positioning is chosen to balance convenience with safety. We aim to park legally and responsibly, while keeping loading zones as safe as possible for both staff and the public. Where cones, hazard signs, or similar items are used, they are placed to warn pedestrians and other road users of removal activities.

Customer and Public Safety

We take care to ensure that customers, neighbours, and members of the public are not put at unnecessary risk during removal operations. This includes:

Keeping access routes as clear as reasonably possible.

Advising customers to stay clear of lifting and loading areas.

Monitoring the movement of large items through shared corridors, entrances, and stairways.

Minimising noise, obstruction, and disruption while still working safely and efficiently.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All personnel involved in removals receive appropriate information and instruction on safe lifting, loading practices, vehicle safety, and the use of equipment. New staff are supervised until they demonstrate safe working methods. Refresher guidance is provided as needed, especially when procedures or equipment change.

Accidents, Incidents, and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, and significant near misses are recorded and reviewed. Where necessary, additional control measures, training, or equipment are implemented to prevent recurrence. We use feedback from staff and customers to improve our health and safety arrangements and to maintain high standards throughout our removal services.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes to our operations, legal requirements, or best practice guidance. The current version is made available to employees, contractors, and customers on request, and represents our ongoing commitment to safe and responsible man and van and removal services.