Man with Van Earls Court Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Earls Court is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, clients, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, transporting, and delivering household and commercial items.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

We aim to prevent injuries, ill health, and damage to property during all moving and transportation activities. Our objectives are to identify hazards, reduce risks to an acceptable level, and continuously improve our safety performance in all removal operations.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Man with Van Earls Court is responsible for ensuring that health and safety is properly managed throughout the business. This includes:

Planning and implementing safe systems of work for packing, lifting, loading, transport, and unloading of goods. Providing suitable and relevant information, instruction and supervision to staff. Ensuring that vehicles and equipment used for moves are maintained in a safe condition. Making sure risk assessments are carried out and reviewed regularly. Responding promptly to any health and safety concerns raised by workers or clients.

Employee Responsibilities

All staff, including drivers, porters, and contractors working on our behalf, have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are expected to:

Follow all safe working procedures and instructions provided by the company. Use equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and only for its intended purpose. Report hazards, near misses, and incidents without delay. Avoid taking unnecessary risks when lifting, carrying, or moving items. Cooperate fully with any health and safety investigation or review.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before starting any removal work, we assess the risks associated with the job. This may include assessing access to the property, stairways, lifts, parking arrangements, item weight and size, and any special handling requirements.

Where significant risks are identified, we implement appropriate control measures, such as additional staff, specialised moving equipment, or alternative handling methods. Our staff are briefed on the safest way to complete each job, and any changes to the plan are communicated clearly on site.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and a major focus of our health and safety arrangements. To reduce the risk of injury, we:

Train staff in safe lifting techniques, including team lifting for heavier items. Use equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and blankets to assist with moves. Avoid unnecessary lifting where mechanical aids or alternative methods can be used. Limit individual lifting of excessively heavy, awkward, or unstable items. Plan the route in advance to reduce twisting, over-reaching, and carrying over long distances.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are central to providing safe and reliable moving services. We ensure that:

Vehicles are checked regularly and maintained in roadworthy condition. Loads are distributed evenly and secured to prevent shifting during transit. Drivers comply with road traffic laws and drive responsibly at all times. Routes are planned to allow safe access to collection and delivery locations. Weather, traffic, and local access restrictions are considered when planning journeys.

Working at Client Premises

Our removal and delivery services are carried out at residential and business premises where we may not have direct control of the environment. To manage risks in these situations, we:

Consult with clients about access, parking, and any known hazards at the property. Keep walkways, stairs, and access routes as clear as possible during moves. Use protective coverings where appropriate to reduce slips and protect floors. Take extra care on stairs, ramps, uneven surfaces, and in confined spaces. Ask clients and others present to stay clear of moving routes while work is in progress.

Client Responsibilities

We ask our clients to support our health and safety arrangements by:

Providing accurate information about access, parking, and property layout. Informing us about any specific risks, such as fragile structures or restricted access. Keeping children, pets, and non-essential persons away from work areas. Ensuring that driveways, corridors, and stairways are as clear as possible. Following any reasonable safety instructions given by our team on the day.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Where necessary, our staff use suitable personal protective equipment to minimise risk during moving and lifting tasks. Equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, and high visibility clothing may be used depending on the circumstances. All equipment is inspected regularly, and any damaged or defective items are removed from use immediately.

Training and Competence

We ensure that our staff receive appropriate training for their roles, including induction training, manual handling guidance, and on-the-job instruction covering safe moving practices. Additional training is provided as required when new equipment, vehicles, or procedures are introduced.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and put in place any necessary changes to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Lessons learned are shared with staff to improve overall safety standards.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and updated when required to reflect changes in our operations, best practice, or relevant regulations. We are committed to continuously improving our health and safety performance and welcome feedback from staff and clients on how we can make our moving services safer and more effective.

By engaging Man with Van Earls Court, clients acknowledge our commitment to safe working practices and agree to cooperate with our team to help ensure a safe and successful move.