Health and Safety policy
Man with Van Lambeth Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitments and procedures of Man with Van Lambeth in relation to the safety and welfare of our workers, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. We are committed to conducting all operations in a safe, responsible and compliant manner, reducing risks associated with moving, transporting and handling goods.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
Man with Van Lambeth is dedicated to maintaining high standards of health and safety across all removal projects, from small residential moves to larger commercial relocations. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries, damage and work-related ill health by identifying potential hazards and implementing suitable control measures before work begins and throughout each job.
We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice for removal and transport operations. Continuous improvement is central to our approach, and we regularly review our procedures to reflect changes in law, guidance and operational experience.
Roles and Responsibilities
Management is responsible for establishing, implementing and reviewing this Health and Safety Policy. Managers ensure that appropriate resources, information, training and supervision are provided to support safe working practices during packing, loading, unloading and transportation.
All workers, whether permanent, temporary or subcontracted, have a duty to:
Work safely and follow all training, instructions and risk assessments.
Use vehicles, equipment and protective gear correctly.
Report hazards, near misses, accidents, damage or unsafe conditions immediately.
Cooperate fully with health and safety measures, inspections and investigations.
Customers also play a role in creating a safe environment by advising us of access issues, fragile structures, restricted spaces or other conditions that may affect the safety of our team or the public.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before starting any removal work, we assess the specific risks associated with the property, route and items to be moved. This includes considering staircases, corridors, lifts, parking arrangements, manual handling requirements, heavy or awkward objects, weather conditions and any special access constraints.
Where significant risks are identified, we put appropriate control measures in place, such as additional staff, mechanical aids, revised routes, staggered lifting, or adjusted loading plans. Risk assessments are kept under review during the job and updated if circumstances change.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of removal work and carries a risk of strain, sprain or other injury if not carried out correctly. We provide training in safe lifting techniques, including team lifts for heavy or bulky items, proper posture, load assessment and route planning before moving goods.
Where feasible, we use trolleys, dollies, straps, ramps and other mechanical aids to minimise manual effort and reduce the likelihood of injury. Workers are instructed not to lift loads that are beyond their capability and to seek assistance whenever necessary.
Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety
Our drivers are required to operate vehicles in a safe, lawful and courteous manner at all times. Pre-use checks are carried out to help ensure that vehicles are roadworthy and suitable for the intended journey. Loads are positioned and secured to prevent movement during transit and to maintain vehicle stability.
We plan routes that take account of road conditions, height and weight restrictions, congestion and access near collection and delivery points. Adequate time is scheduled for journeys to reduce pressures that might otherwise encourage unsafe driving behaviour.
Use of Equipment and Protective Gear
Where necessary, our staff use protective equipment such as gloves, high-visibility garments and safety footwear appropriate to the task and environment. All equipment used in removal work, including lifting aids and securing devices, is inspected regularly and taken out of service if damaged or defective.
Only trained personnel are authorised to operate any specialist equipment. Instructions from manufacturers and safety guidance are followed at all times.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We take care to protect customers, neighbours, visitors and members of the public while carrying out removal services. This may include controlling access to work areas, using warning signs where appropriate, and taking extra care around entrances, pavements and shared spaces.
Steps, ramps and pathways are kept as clear as reasonably practicable to minimise the risk of slips, trips and falls. Where conditions such as wet floors, uneven ground or poor lighting cannot be immediately improved, our workers adapt their methods and warn others who may be affected.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, property damage and significant safety concerns must be reported to management as soon as reasonably possible. Reports are investigated to identify root causes and to implement corrective actions that reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Our staff are briefed on what to do in the event of an emergency, such as fire, serious injury, traffic collision or sudden structural failure. Emergency services are contacted promptly when required, and the safety of people is always prioritised over property or schedules.
Training, Supervision and Continuous Improvement
Man with Van Lambeth provides appropriate health and safety training to ensure that our team members understand the hazards they may encounter and how to control them. New workers receive induction training and are supervised until they are competent to carry out tasks safely.
We monitor performance, review feedback and hold discussions with staff to identify opportunities for improvement. Lessons learned from incidents, customer comments and day-to-day operations are used to refine our procedures and strengthen our safety culture.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever significant changes occur in our operations, applicable legislation or recognised industry guidance. Updated versions are communicated to staff and made available to customers on request so that everyone is aware of the standards and expectations that apply to our removal services.
