Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Pimlico Health and Safety Policy

Man With 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 transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, and transporting items for domestic and commercial clients.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards in our removal operations and applying effective controls. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance through training, supervision, and regular review of working practices.

Health and safety considerations form an integral part of how we plan and carry out removal services, including packing, loading, transport, unloading, and placement of items at the final destination.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man With a Van Pimlico is responsible for:

Providing a safe system of work for all removal activities, including home and office moves, furniture transport, and item collection and delivery.

Ensuring vehicles and equipment used in the course of our work are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition.

Assessing risks associated with manual handling, moving large or heavy items, and working in different premises, such as flats, houses, offices, and storage facilities.

Providing appropriate information, instruction, and training so that staff understand their duties and can carry them out safely.

Monitoring safety performance and investigating any accidents, incidents, or near-misses with the aim of preventing recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors of Man With a Van Pimlico must:

Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all health and safety instructions, training, and safe working procedures issued by the company.

Use vehicles, equipment, and protective gear correctly and report any defects or concerns to management without delay.

Cooperate with management in implementing health and safety measures, including attending required training.

Report all accidents, injuries, near-misses, and unsafe conditions as soon as possible, so that corrective action can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting work, our teams consider the specific risks at each address or premises. This includes factors such as access routes, staircases, lifts, parking arrangements, loading areas, and the type, size, and weight of items to be moved.

Where particular risks are identified, such as unusually heavy items or limited access, we plan the work to minimise hazards, which may include using additional operatives, handling equipment, or alternative access routes.

All work is carried out with regard to the safety of occupants, neighbours, visitors, and members of the public in the vicinity of the property or loading area.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removals work and presents a potential risk of injury if not managed correctly. To reduce these risks, Man With a Van Pimlico:

Provides guidance and training on correct lifting techniques, including team lifting for heavy or awkward items.

Encourages staff to assess each lift in advance, considering the path of travel, obstacles, and the final position of the item.

Uses suitable handling aids where appropriate, such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and blankets, to reduce strain and protect items.

Requires staff to avoid lifting items that are beyond their individual capability and to request assistance when needed.

Vehicle Safety and Loading

Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and are operated with a strong focus on safety. Man With a Van Pimlico ensures that:

Vehicles undergo regular checks and are maintained according to manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.

Loads are secured correctly, using straps, blankets, and other equipment to prevent movement or damage in transit.

Drivers follow all road safety rules and adjust their driving to suit weather, traffic, and road conditions.

Parking and loading are carried out with consideration for pedestrians, cyclists, other road users, and local access requirements.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise that our work often takes place in occupied homes, shared buildings, and busy locations. To protect customers and the public, our teams:

Maintain clear access routes wherever reasonably possible, keeping walkways free from trip hazards such as boxes, tools, and packing materials.

Communicate with customers about the planned route for moving items to avoid unexpected movements in confined spaces.

Take extra care when moving large items through communal areas, corridors, stairwells, and entrances so as not to endanger or inconvenience others.

Handle customer belongings with care to minimise the risk of damage to property, fixtures, and fittings.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Gear

Where appropriate, staff are provided with and expected to use suitable equipment and personal protective gear for the tasks they perform. This may include gloves, safety footwear, and other items relevant to handling heavy or bulky loads.

All equipment is to be inspected before use, used only for its intended purpose, and stored safely when not in use.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man With a Van Pimlico provides induction and ongoing training relevant to the work undertaken, including safe lifting, use of vehicles and equipment, and working safely in residential and commercial environments.

Supervision is provided to ensure that safe systems of work are followed and to support less experienced team members in carrying out their duties safely.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, injuries, and near-misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records are kept and reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

In the event of an emergency at a customer location, our staff will follow any site-specific procedures in place and take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of all persons present.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our operations, best practice, or applicable requirements. Man With a Van Pimlico is committed to continuous improvement and encourages feedback from staff and customers on health and safety matters.

By engaging Man With a Van Pimlico, customers can be assured that health and safety is a central consideration in the planning and delivery of our removal and transport services.