Earls Court Man and Van Health and Safety Policy
Earls Court Man and Van 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 work. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with our man and van and removal services, including packing, loading, transport and unloading of goods.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting in place effective control measures. We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice for removal and transport activities.
We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance by monitoring our work, learning from experience and updating our procedures as our services and working practices develop.
Roles and Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing this Health and Safety Policy, providing safe systems of work, and ensuring adequate resources, information, training and supervision are available. Managers and supervisors must lead by example, reinforce safe working practices and address any unsafe behaviour or conditions promptly.
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 follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards and incidents, and cooperate with any investigation, training or instruction.
Customers are expected to cooperate with our teams to maintain a safe working environment, including ensuring reasonable access, declaring any known hazards on the premises and following any safety instructions given by our staff while work is underway.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We regularly assess the risks associated with removal and transport work, including manual handling, working in confined or shared spaces, vehicle movements, traffic routes, staircases, and the handling of fragile or heavy items. Where significant risks are identified, we develop safe systems of work to control them.
Our teams are instructed to carry out dynamic risk assessments on arrival at each job. This may include checking access routes, stair conditions, flooring, lighting, parking and loading areas, and any unusual or heavy items. Work will only proceed when it is safe to do so, and staff are authorised to stop work where serious risks are identified.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of our work. To reduce the risk of injury, we provide information and guidance on safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of handling aids such as trolleys, dollies and straps where appropriate.
Staff are required to assess the weight and shape of items before moving them and to request assistance or additional equipment if an item is too heavy or awkward to handle safely. Items must be lifted and carried in a way that avoids twisting, over-reaching, or placing excessive strain on the body.
All handling equipment and tools used in the course of our work must be suitable for the task, properly maintained and used only by individuals who have been instructed in their safe operation.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
We are committed to promoting safe driving practices and the safe operation of all vehicles used in our services. Vehicles must be roadworthy, regularly checked, loaded safely and never overloaded. Loads must be secured in a way that prevents movement during transit and protects both the goods and the people handling them.
Drivers must obey road traffic laws, follow any company driving guidance and take reasonable steps to avoid fatigue. Unsafe driving, use of mobile devices while driving, or operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited.
Protection of Customers, Property and Public
During removals and transport work, we take reasonable precautions to protect customers, neighbours and the public from harm. This may include controlling access to work areas, using warning signs or verbal warnings, taking care when moving large items in shared spaces and keeping pathways clear.
We take care to prevent damage to property when moving items through doorways, stairwells, lifts and corridors. Protective materials may be used where appropriate to reduce the risk of scuffs, scrapes or other damage during handling and transport.
Training, Information and Supervision
We ensure that staff receive appropriate information and instruction relating to their role and the tasks they perform. This includes guidance on manual handling, safe loading and unloading, use of equipment, vehicle safety and emergency procedures.
New staff are introduced to our health and safety expectations and working practices before they are allowed to work unsupervised. More experienced staff and supervisors are expected to monitor the work of newer team members and provide guidance and support as needed.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
We encourage prompt reporting of all accidents, incidents, injuries, near misses and unsafe conditions, no matter how minor they may seem. This helps us identify trends, address underlying causes and prevent recurrence.
Where necessary, incidents will be investigated to understand what happened, why it happened, and what can be done to prevent similar events in future. Findings may lead to changes in working procedures, additional training or improvements to equipment and planning.
Health, Wellbeing and Fitness for Work
We recognise the physical nature of removal and transport work and the importance of fitness for work. Staff are expected to inform management of any health conditions or injuries that may affect their ability to carry out tasks safely, especially those involving lifting and carrying.
We discourage staff from working while unfit, overtired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Where appropriate, tasks may be modified, shared or reallocated to ensure safety is maintained.
Review and Policy Updates
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, legislation or industry guidance. Updated versions will be communicated to staff and made available to customers on request.
By choosing Earls Court Man and Van, customers can be confident that health and safety is treated as a core part of our professional removal and transport service, not as an afterthought. We expect everyone involved in our work to support and uphold the principles set out in this policy.
