Man with Van Pimlico Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Pimlico is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our furniture removals and transport services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our aims and arrangements for managing safety in all aspects of our work, from home moves to small office and flat relocations.

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and unsafe practices by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and continually strive to improve our safety performance across our removal operations.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Man with Van Pimlico has overall responsibility for health and safety. This includes ensuring that appropriate resources, equipment and training are provided so that work can be carried out safely. Management is responsible for setting clear safety standards, monitoring performance and reviewing this policy regularly to keep it current and effective.

Managers will lead by example, promote a positive safety culture and make sure that health and safety considerations are part of planning every removal job. They will investigate incidents and near misses, implement corrective actions and communicate lessons learned to the team.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and contractor working with Man with Van Pimlico has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. All staff must follow safe working procedures, use equipment correctly and cooperate with management on all health and safety matters.

Employees must report hazards, defective equipment, unsafe conditions, accidents, injuries and near misses as soon as possible. They are expected to attend all relevant training sessions and apply what they have learned in day-to-day removal work, including lifting techniques, driving standards and customer care on-site.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before starting any removal project, our team considers the specific risks associated with the property, access routes, vehicle positioning and items being moved. We aim to identify potential hazards such as narrow staircases, heavy or awkward loads, fragile items, traffic exposure and trip hazards within properties and loading areas.

Where necessary, we implement control measures including the use of additional staff, specialist handling equipment, protective materials and safe loading techniques. Safe systems of work, including agreed methods for lifting, carrying and stacking items, are communicated to the team before work begins.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal activities. To reduce the risk of strains, sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries, we provide guidance and instruction on correct lifting and carrying techniques. Whenever practicable, we use handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets to reduce physical load and protect both people and property.

Only authorised personnel may operate lifting or securing equipment. All equipment must be inspected regularly and used in accordance with manufacturer guidance and internal procedures. Faulty or damaged equipment is to be taken out of service immediately and reported for repair or replacement.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular checks carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, securing points and loading areas. Drivers are responsible for completing basic pre-use checks and ensuring loads are properly distributed, restrained and covered where appropriate.

Drivers are expected to obey road traffic laws, follow safe driving practices and adapt their driving style to road, weather and traffic conditions. Fatigue management is an important part of our approach; drivers must not work excessive hours and are required to take adequate breaks to remain alert and focused.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working in homes, offices or communal areas, our team will take reasonable steps to protect customers and the public from harm. This may include managing access routes, keeping walkways clear, using warning signs or verbal warnings where appropriate, and carefully positioning vehicles and ramps.

We aim to minimise disruption, noise and obstruction in residential streets and shared spaces. Our staff will show respect for the property and neighbours, taking care to prevent damage to floors, walls, doors and communal areas while still working efficiently and safely.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where the risk assessment identifies a need, we provide suitable personal protective equipment such as safety footwear and gloves. Employees must use this equipment correctly, maintain it in good condition and report any defects. PPE is a final line of defence and does not replace the need for safe handling methods and good housekeeping.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van Pimlico provides appropriate training and instruction to ensure all staff understand their health and safety responsibilities. This includes induction training for new employees and ongoing updates on safe working practices, equipment use and driving standards.

Supervision is provided in proportion to the risks and the competence of staff involved. Less experienced team members work under closer guidance until they can demonstrate consistent safe performance. Information about specific job risks is shared in advance wherever possible.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly so they can be recorded, investigated and used to improve our control measures. Where an injury occurs, first aid should be administered by a competent person and, where necessary, emergency services contacted without delay.

Emergency procedures include actions to be taken in the event of fire, serious injury, traffic collision or other incidents that may occur during removal work or transport. Staff are required to familiarise themselves with these procedures and follow instructions from management or emergency responders.

Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legislation or best practice in the removals industry. We welcome feedback from staff and customers on safety matters and use this information to refine our working methods and training.

By working together and maintaining a strong safety culture, Man with Van Pimlico aims to deliver reliable, efficient and safe removal services in its operating area, protecting our workforce, our customers and the wider community.