Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Movers

This Health and Safety Policy sets out how our man with van and removals business manages the safety and wellbeing of customers, members of the public, and our workforce. Our services include domestic and commercial removals, furniture moving, and transport of goods. We are committed to operating safely in every location we serve and to continually improving our health and safety performance.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

The management of the company accepts overall responsibility for health and safety throughout our removal operations. We will provide the resources, information, training, and supervision necessary to ensure that work is planned and carried out safely. Every worker, contractor, and representative of the business is required to follow this policy and any related procedures or method statements.

We aim to prevent accidents, injuries, and damage to property by identifying risks in advance and controlling them. Safety is considered alongside efficiency and customer service when planning every move, from small man with van jobs to larger property relocations.

Legal Duties and Responsibilities

We will comply with relevant health and safety legislation, road traffic requirements, and industry guidance that applies to removal and transport services. Managers are responsible for implementing this policy, monitoring performance, and reviewing procedures when there are changes in work activities or regulations.

Employees and contractors must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must cooperate with the company by following safe systems of work, using equipment correctly, and reporting hazards, near misses, or incidents promptly.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for typical man with van and moving activities, including loading, unloading, driving, working at customers premises, and handling heavy or awkward items. Where needed, a site specific assessment will be completed on arrival before work begins.

Controls may include the use of additional staff for heavy lifts, use of moving equipment, planning safe access routes, and agreeing with the customer where vehicles will park. Work will not proceed where serious risks are identified and cannot be controlled, for example unsafe structures, blocked fire exits, or severely restricted access that makes safe handling impossible.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling of furniture, appliances, boxes, and other items is a core part of our removals work. To reduce the risk of injury, we:

Provide manual handling instruction, including correct lifting techniques, team lifting, and load assessment. Use trolleys, dollies, sack trucks, straps, blankets, ramps, and other appropriate equipment for moving and securing loads. Plan routes to avoid unnecessary carrying, steep stairs where possible, and other hazards such as uneven surfaces or poor lighting. Avoid lifts that are beyond safe capacity and refuse unsafe requests such as single person lifting of very heavy items.

Equipment is inspected regularly and removed from use if damaged or defective. Only trained personnel may operate any specialised lifting equipment.

Vehicle Safety and Load Security

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and checked regularly. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic pre use checks, reporting defects, and ensuring that vehicles are clean, tidy, and free from loose items in the cab.

Loads must be packed and secured to prevent movement during transport. This includes using straps, load bars, blankets, and appropriate stacking methods. Heavy items are placed low and evenly distributed, with fragile items protected from crushing. Overloading of vehicles is strictly prohibited.

Drivers must obey speed limits, parking rules, and road conditions. They must not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impairs performance, and must manage fatigue by taking appropriate breaks.

Personal Protective Equipment

We provide suitable personal protective equipment for our movers, which may include safety footwear, gloves, and high visibility garments where required. PPE is to be worn whenever indicated by risk assessment or site rules. Staff are responsible for taking reasonable care of their PPE and reporting loss or damage so that replacement can be provided.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in homes, offices, storage facilities, and other premises. We will take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors, and members of the public from risks arising from our activities. This includes keeping access routes as clear as practicable, using warning signs or verbal warnings when carrying large items, and taking care with doors, lifts, and shared corridors.

We will protect property by using blankets, floor protection, and other measures as appropriate. We will also take care with sharp edges, tools, and equipment to avoid damage to fixtures, fittings, and vehicles parked nearby.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All workers receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their role, including manual handling, safe loading and unloading, and customer service. New staff are supervised until they are competent and familiar with our procedures. Additional instruction is provided when new equipment, vehicles, or methods of work are introduced.

Health and safety information is communicated through briefings, toolbox talks, and written guidance. We encourage feedback from staff on potential improvements to the way we plan and carry out removal work.

Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses

Any accident, injury, damage, or near miss must be reported as soon as possible to the responsible person in charge of the job. Incidents will be recorded, investigated where necessary, and used to improve our procedures. Appropriate first aid arrangements are made for staff working on removal jobs, and emergency procedures are explained at the start of each job if needed.

Monitoring and Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and when there are changes in legislation, work practices, or our service area. We monitor our performance through incident reports, staff feedback, and customer comments, and take action where improvements are identified.

By following this policy, we aim to deliver a professional, reliable, and safe man with van and removals service for every customer, on every job.