Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Limehouse
Man with Van Limehouse is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, visitors 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 home and office moves, loading and unloading, driving, handling furniture and equipment, and working at client premises.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying, managing and controlling hazards linked to our moving and delivery services. We will comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised good practice for the removals and transport sector. Health and safety considerations are integral to the planning and delivery of every move, from small flat clearances to larger property relocations.
Responsibilities
The management of Man with Van Limehouse has overall responsibility for health and safety within the business. Managers are responsible for implementing this policy, ensuring suitable resources are available, and reviewing performance. Team leaders and drivers must follow safe systems of work, report hazards, and support training requirements.
All employees, operatives and contractors engaged in our services have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others. This includes using equipment correctly, following manual handling guidance, adhering to traffic and parking rules, reporting defects or incidents promptly, and cooperating with all health and safety measures.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including packing, lifting, loading, transporting, unloading and working within client properties. These assessments help us identify potential hazards such as slips, trips, falls, manual handling injuries, vehicle movements, poor access, and dealing with heavy or awkward items.
Based on these assessments, we develop and communicate safe working practices. Where necessary, we will adjust our approach on the day of the move to reflect specific conditions at the property, such as narrow staircases, restricted parking, uneven surfaces or adverse weather. Staff must always follow agreed methods or seek guidance if unsure about the safest way to proceed.
Manual Handling and Lifting Safety
Manual handling is a significant aspect of removal work and a key focus of our safety measures. We train our team to use correct lifting and carrying techniques, to work in pairs or teams for heavy or bulky items, and to use equipment such as trolleys and lifting aids where reasonably practicable.
We avoid unnecessary lifting by planning the route from property to vehicle, ensuring clear walkways, and loading items in a logical order. No employee is required to lift or move loads that they believe pose an unacceptable risk to their health. Where an item is too heavy or unsafe to move with available resources, we will discuss alternative options with the client.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and inspected regularly. Drivers must carry out basic checks before use and report any defects immediately. Loads are secured appropriately to prevent movement during transit and to protect both the team and the client’s property.
Drivers must obey all road traffic laws, drive responsibly, and plan routes to minimise risks associated with congestion, restricted streets and loading zones. We manage working hours and rest breaks to help prevent fatigue. Parking and loading are carried out in a way that reduces risk to pedestrians, other road users and property.
Working at Client Premises
When operating inside homes, offices or other premises, our staff will take care to maintain safe access and egress, keep routes clear of trip hazards, and use appropriate lifting techniques on stairs and tight corners. We may ask clients to keep children, pets and non-essential persons away from working areas to reduce the likelihood of accidents.
Where necessary, we may temporarily restrict access to certain areas while heavy or bulky items are being moved. We also take steps to protect flooring, walls and fixtures to reduce the risk of damage and related hazards such as slips from debris or dust.
Equipment, Personal Protective Equipment and Housekeeping
We provide suitable equipment for removal activities, such as trolleys, straps, blankets and protective materials. All equipment is used in accordance with instruction, inspected regularly and taken out of service if any defect is identified.
Where a task requires personal protective equipment, such as gloves or safety footwear, these will be supplied and must be worn as instructed. Good housekeeping is maintained in vehicles, storage areas and at job sites to reduce risks from clutter, loose materials and waste.
Training, Information and Supervision
All staff receive induction training that includes health and safety responsibilities, manual handling, vehicle safety and emergency procedures. Additional training is provided when roles change, new equipment is introduced, or risk assessments indicate a need for further instruction.
We ensure that inexperienced staff are appropriately supervised until they are competent in their tasks. Information about specific site hazards or client requirements is shared during job planning and before work starts at each location.
Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We keep records, investigate causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Where required, incidents will be reported to the appropriate authorities in line with legal obligations.
We encourage an open culture where staff feel able to raise safety concerns without fear of blame. Lessons learned from incidents are communicated to the team and used to improve our procedures.
Health, Welfare and Wellbeing
We recognise the importance of supporting the general health and wellbeing of our team. Workloads are planned to avoid unreasonable physical strain, and staff are encouraged to take breaks, stay hydrated and speak up if they are unwell or fatigued. We will consider medical or physical restrictions when allocating tasks and will make reasonable adjustments where practical.
Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy is monitored and reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective for our moving and transport activities. We will update it to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance, working practices, and feedback from staff and clients.
By following this policy, Man with Van Limehouse aims to deliver reliable and efficient removal services while safeguarding the health and safety of everyone involved in or affected by our operations.
