Health and Safety Policy for Man and Van Removal Services

This Health and Safety Policy explains how our man and van removal service manages the safety and wellbeing of employees, contractors, customers and the public during all moving and transport activities. Our aim is to prevent injury, protect property, and maintain a safe working environment wherever we operate.

Health and Safety Objectives

We are committed to providing a professional removal service that prioritises safety. Our main objectives are to prevent accidents, reduce risks associated with lifting and transporting goods, protect people from harm, and comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and guidance relevant to our operations.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for putting in place suitable arrangements to manage health and safety. This includes providing appropriate equipment for removals work, ensuring that vehicles are maintained in a safe condition, establishing safe systems of work and procedures, arranging relevant training and supervision for all staff, and reviewing this policy on a regular basis so it remains effective and up to date.

Staff Responsibilities

All staff and workers involved in removal activities must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow all safety instructions and agreed methods of work, use equipment only as trained and intended, report any hazards, defects, accidents, or near misses without delay, and wear appropriate personal protective equipment provided to them.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Risk assessments are carried out for typical removal tasks as well as for any non-routine work. Before each job, staff consider access routes, parking, loading and unloading areas, potential trip hazards, stairs, lifts, and weather conditions. Where specific risks are identified, appropriate control measures are implemented, such as using additional staff, mechanical aids, or alternative access arrangements. Work will not proceed if a situation is judged unsafe.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. Staff receive guidance on safe lifting techniques, including assessing the load before lifting, keeping the load close to the body, avoiding twisting while carrying, and working in pairs or teams for heavy or bulky items. Wherever practical, handling aids such as trolleys, skates, or straps are used. Extremely heavy or high-risk items are only moved following a specific assessment and plan.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Vehicles used for removals must be roadworthy and suitable for carrying goods safely. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic checks before use and reporting any defects. All driving must be carried out in accordance with road traffic laws and safe driving practices. Journey planning takes into account expected travel times, congestion, and rest breaks. Drivers must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any medication that could impair their ability to drive safely.

Safe Loading and Unloading

Loading and unloading operations are planned so that goods are stable and secure during transit. Heavy items are placed low and evenly distributed. Loads are restrained using straps, bars, or other securing methods. Items are not stacked in a way that can become unstable when the vehicle is opened. When loading and unloading at customer premises, care is taken to keep access routes clear, manage traffic movement around the vehicle, and protect both staff and bystanders from moving vehicles or falling objects.

Customer and Public Safety

During all removal activities, particular attention is given to the safety of customers and members of the public. Staff are instructed to communicate clearly with customers about where they are working, keep doors, corridors, and pathways as clear as practicable, use caution when moving items through shared spaces, and stop work immediately if a situation arises that could put others at risk. Children and pets should be kept away from working areas while removal activities are in progress.

Premises, Property and Environmental Conditions

When working in homes, offices, storage locations or other premises, staff aim to minimise damage and disruption while maintaining safety. This may include protecting floors and surfaces where necessary, taking special care on stairs and narrow passages, working cautiously in poor weather or lighting conditions, and adjusting methods of work where access is restricted or uneven. Any concerns about the suitability of access, structural issues, or unsafe conditions are raised with the customer before proceeding.

Equipment, Protective Gear and Maintenance

All equipment used in removal operations, such as trolleys and lifting aids, is selected for suitability and maintained in good working order. Staff must not use damaged or defective equipment. Appropriate personal protective equipment, which may include gloves, footwear with good grip, and high-visibility garments in traffic areas, is provided where required and must be worn as instructed. Equipment is stored and transported in a way that prevents damage and does not create hazards.

Training, Information and Supervision

We ensure that all staff receive information and guidance relevant to their role. This includes induction on general health and safety, instruction in safe handling and lifting, and familiarisation with vehicles and equipment used in removal work. Less experienced staff are supervised and supported until they are competent to work independently. Training needs are reviewed periodically and refreshed as necessary.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and significant incidents that occur during removal work must be reported to management as soon as possible. Incidents are recorded and, where necessary, investigated to identify causes and prevent recurrence. Staff are briefed on emergency arrangements, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, or a road traffic collision. Work should be stopped immediately if a serious hazard is identified until it is made safe.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in the way we operate, new equipment is introduced, or relevant legislation and guidance is updated. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed as part of our commitment to continually improving safety standards across all man and van removal services we provide.