Man and Van Pimlico Health and Safety Policy

Man and Van Pimlico is committed to maintaining the highest practical standards of health, safety and welfare for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This policy applies to all work carried out by the company, including home removals, office relocations, packing, loading, transport and unloading.

We recognise that professional removal services involve manual handling, vehicle movements and work in a variety of premises. These activities can present risks if not properly controlled. Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and disruption by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing proportionate safety measures.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man and Van Pimlico accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the business. We will provide clear leadership, adequate resources and suitable arrangements to manage health and safety effectively. This includes establishing safe systems of work, ensuring vehicles and equipment are maintained, and monitoring performance so that standards are continually improved.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy on a day-to-day basis. They must make sure that staff understand their roles, follow the required procedures and report any concerns. Where specialist advice is required, the company will consult competent health and safety professionals to support our decision making.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, including drivers, porters and office staff, share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Every employee must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Follow all safety instructions, training and company procedures. Use vehicles, tools, lifting equipment and personal protective equipment correctly. Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions and health concerns promptly to a supervisor. Cooperate with management to enable the company to meet its legal and moral obligations.

No employee will be asked to carry out a task that they are not trained or physically able to perform safely. Staff are encouraged to stop work and seek guidance if they believe a situation is unsafe.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will carry out risk assessments for our typical removal and transport activities and review them regularly. Where necessary, we will complete site-specific assessments for unusual locations, restricted access, high-value items or particularly heavy loads.

Based on these assessments, we will develop and implement safe working practices covering, as a minimum:

Planning and preparing each removal job. Safe loading and unloading of vehicles. Secure stacking and protection of furniture and goods. Use of lifting aids, trolleys and ramps. Working safely in stairwells, corridors and confined areas. Managing traffic movements when parking and operating vehicles. Protecting customers, building occupants and members of the public from moving vehicles and manual handling activities.

These procedures will be communicated to staff and reviewed whenever there are significant changes in working methods, equipment or locations.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a key focus of our safety arrangements. We will minimise manual handling risks by:

Training staff in correct lifting and carrying techniques. Planning loads to avoid unnecessary carrying and twisting. Using suitable handling equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, straps and sliders. Team lifting heavy, awkward or bulky items. Recognising personal limitations and not attempting lifts beyond individual capability.

All equipment provided for handling, loading and securing goods will be maintained in good condition and taken out of service if any defect is identified.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our service and must be operated safely at all times. Man and Van Pimlico will ensure that:

Vehicles are roadworthy, regularly inspected and maintained. Loads are distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit. Drivers hold the correct licences and are competent for the vehicles they operate. Driving is carried out in accordance with road traffic laws and company guidelines. Fatigue, alcohol, drugs and mobile phone use are strictly controlled to ensure safe driving.

Drivers are responsible for completing pre-use checks and reporting any defects or safety concerns immediately.

Training, Instruction and Supervision

We will provide appropriate health and safety training for all employees according to their role and experience. This may include induction training, manual handling, safe loading, use of equipment, vehicle safety and emergency procedures.

New and less experienced workers will receive closer supervision until they are competent to work safely without direct oversight. Refresher training will be provided when required, and when there are significant changes in work practices or equipment.

Welfare, Health and Wellbeing

Man and Van Pimlico recognises the importance of staff wellbeing in maintaining a safe and efficient service. We will provide basic welfare facilities and encourage practices that support good physical and mental health, including adequate rest breaks, hydration and realistic scheduling of jobs.

We will take reasonable steps to identify and address work-related stressors, and support employees who raise health or wellbeing concerns that may affect their ability to work safely.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported and recorded. We will investigate incidents to identify immediate and underlying causes and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.

Emergency procedures will be in place for incidents such as fire, injury, major spillage, vehicle collision or structural damage at a customer location. Staff will be briefed on their responsibilities during an emergency, including raising the alarm, assisting others where it is safe to do so and cooperating with emergency services.

Consultation, Review and Continuous Improvement

We will consult with employees about health and safety matters, invite feedback on working practices and encourage suggestions for improvement. Where possible, changes to procedures will be discussed with the staff who carry out the work.

This health and safety policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in legislation, our activities or the scale of our operations. Updates will be communicated to all employees so that our standards remain current and effective.

By working together and following this policy, Man and Van Pimlico aims to deliver removal services that are safe, professional and responsible for everyone involved.