Health & Safety Policy — London Man And a Van

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the approach taken by London Man And a Van and its team to protect employees, customers and the public. The purpose of this statement is to provide a clear framework for safe operations during removals, deliveries and any van-based work. Our aim is to reduce risk, ensure compliance with good practice and maintain a robust safety culture across all services offered by the man-and-van operator.

The policy applies to all staff, contractors and temporary workers engaged in van removals, courier work and handling of customer property. It covers vehicle safety, manual handling, load restraint, workplace welfare and incident reporting. This document complements risk assessments and operational procedures developed for specific jobs and environments used by the London man and van service.

Safety leadership is essential. Management will ensure that hazards are identified and controls are implemented, and that employees receive appropriate instruction and supervision. Staff are expected to follow safe systems of work, report hazards promptly and contribute actively to continuous improvement in safety standards. The mobile removals team will work collaboratively with clients to manage site-specific risks during loading and unloading activities.

Responsibilities and Duties

Responsibilities are allocated clearly: senior managers are responsible for policy review and resource allocation; drivers and crew are responsible for daily checks and safe driving; the safety representative will monitor compliance and liaise on improvements. Each person has a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others affected by their actions.

The following key duties are emphasized:

• Management: provide training, conduct risk assessments and ensure vehicles are maintained.
• Drivers: complete pre-start vehicle checks, load securely and adhere to safe driving standards.
• All staff: use personal protective equipment where required and follow safe lifting practices.

Clear communication is a priority. Crew briefings before each job must highlight specific risks, access limitations and any customer requirements. Written records of briefings, training and vehicle maintenance will be kept to demonstrate that safe systems are in place and being followed.

Safe Vehicles and Equipment

Vehicles are maintained to a high standard to ensure operational safety. This includes routine servicing, tyre and brake checks and ensuring lights and mirrors are functional. Equipment such as ramps, trolleys, straps and protective blankets must be inspected before use and stored safely when not required.

Safe loading practices are enforced to prevent shifting loads that could cause accidents or damage. Loads must be distributed evenly, restrained with appropriate tie-downs and checked at intervals during transit. The man and van crew must refuse to transport loads that cannot be secured safely.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided where necessary. Staff are required to wear suitable footwear, gloves and high-visibility clothing when working on footways, communal areas or in low-light conditions. Training on the correct use of lifting aids and PPE is provided and refreshed periodically.

Risk Assessment & Incident Management

All routine activities and unique or complex jobs will be subject to a risk assessment before work begins. These assessments identify hazards, evaluate the likelihood and severity of harm, and specify control measures to reduce risk to an acceptable level. Assessments are recorded and reviewed after any incident or significant change in working arrangements.

Emergency procedures and first aid arrangements are established. Staff are trained in basic first aid, and an incident reporting system is in place to capture accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions. Investigation of incidents focuses on root causes and corrective actions to avoid recurrence. Learning from incidents is shared across the team to improve safety practices.

Commitment to continual improvement is central to our approach. Regular audits, driver performance reviews and toolbox talks are used to monitor compliance and promote a positive safety culture. Policies are reviewed periodically and revised to incorporate new insights, equipment or regulatory guidance. By maintaining high standards, the man-and-van service seeks to protect people, property and the environment while delivering reliable transport and removal services.

Monitoring and Review: This policy is reviewed at planned intervals or sooner if there are changes to operations, incidents or legislative updates. Performance indicators such as vehicle defect rates, accident frequency and training completion percentages are tracked to ensure the policy is effective and relevant.

Training and Competence: Staff competence is essential. Induction training covers safe loading, manual handling, vehicle checks and reporting. Ongoing development includes defensive driving, hazardous materials awareness where applicable, and refresher courses to maintain skills and knowledge.

Conclusion: The overarching objective of this health and safety policy is to ensure the safe delivery of man-and-van services by embedding risk-aware practices, allocating clear responsibilities and promoting continuous learning. All employees are required to comply with this policy to safeguard colleagues, customers and the wider community.