Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van Bayswater
Man and a Van Bayswater is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, unloading, and transporting goods for domestic and commercial clients.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, work-related ill health, and damage to property during all removal activities. We will achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing appropriate control measures. We aim to continuously improve our health and safety performance and to promote a positive safety culture across all aspects of our operations.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man and a Van Bayswater holds overall responsibility for ensuring that effective health and safety arrangements are in place. This includes:
Ensuring compliance with all applicable health and safety legislation relevant to removal and transport services. Providing suitable resources, equipment, and information to allow work to be carried out safely. Setting clear health and safety standards for all staff and monitoring performance against those standards. Reviewing this policy regularly and updating it when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, or our operations.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee and contractor working with Man and a Van Bayswater has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. In particular, staff must:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided. Use vehicles, tools, lifting equipment, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects or issues without delay. Cooperate fully with management in implementing this policy. Report all accidents, near misses, incidents, and hazards so that they can be investigated and corrective action taken.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for our removal services, including packing, loading, unloading, and transportation activities. These assessments consider manual handling risks, slips and trips, falls, vehicle movements, and other relevant hazards. Control measures are put in place to reduce risks as far as is reasonably practicable.
Safe working practices are established and communicated to all staff, covering topics such as safe lifting techniques, use of trolleys and other handling aids, securing loads within vehicles, and working safely in stairwells, corridors, and loading areas. Staff are instructed to stop work if a task cannot be carried out safely and to seek guidance from management.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and presents a significant source of risk. Man and a Van Bayswater provides training on correct lifting and carrying techniques, the use of handling aids, and the importance of team lifts for heavy or awkward items.
Equipment such as sack trucks, furniture dollies, straps, blankets, and securing systems are provided where appropriate. All equipment must be inspected regularly, used only for its intended purpose, and kept in good condition. Any damaged or defective equipment must be taken out of use and reported immediately.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are maintained to a high standard to ensure they are roadworthy and safe to operate. Regular checks and servicing are carried out in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and legal requirements.
Drivers are expected to obey all road traffic laws, drive courteously, and take particular care when operating in residential streets, near loading bays, or in busy commercial areas. Loads must be properly distributed, secured, and checked before and during journeys. Drivers must not operate vehicles while tired, unfit, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
When working at customer homes, offices, or other premises, our teams will take all reasonable steps to protect the safety of occupants, visitors, and the public. This includes maintaining clear access routes, managing trip hazards such as trailing straps or packaging, and carefully manoeuvring large items to avoid damage or injury.
Where necessary, staff may restrict access to certain areas while loading or unloading is taking place. Customers are asked to keep children and pets away from active work areas and to inform our team of any particular access issues, structural concerns, or site hazards.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Man and a Van Bayswater provides ongoing training to all relevant staff in health and safety procedures, including manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, and incident reporting. New employees receive induction training that covers our policy, safe systems of work, and expectations for behaviour on site and on the road.
Supervisors and senior team members are responsible for monitoring work practices, offering guidance, and ensuring that safety standards are followed. Additional refresher training is provided when new risks are identified or when procedures are updated.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Reports are investigated to determine root causes and to identify improvements in procedures, equipment, or training.
Emergency procedures are in place for situations such as vehicle breakdowns, road traffic incidents, injuries on site, fires, and property damage. Staff are briefed on how to respond, when to contact emergency services, and how to safeguard customers, colleagues, and members of the public during an emergency.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage open communication about health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and participate in discussions about work practices. Feedback from customers is welcomed and used to strengthen our safety management.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective, and aligned with legal requirements and industry best practice. Man and a Van Bayswater is dedicated to maintaining safe, reliable removal services and to protecting everyone who comes into contact with our operations.
