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 employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial moves, deliveries and related services.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We aim to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by planning and carrying out all work in a safe and controlled manner. Health and Safety considerations are central to how we organise our removal operations, maintain our vehicles and equipment, and train our team. We comply with applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice relevant to moving, lifting and transport activities.

Responsibilities and Accountability

The management of Man with Van Earls Court is responsible for implementing and reviewing this policy, allocating sufficient resources and ensuring that safe systems of work are in place. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day monitoring of safety on jobs, communicating procedures, and addressing any issues that arise on site or during transit.

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. All staff are expected to follow instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards, and stop work immediately if they believe conditions are unsafe.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before each removal or delivery, we assess the risks associated with the property and the items being moved. This may include considering access routes, staircases, lifts, parking arrangements, loading areas, traffic conditions, and any specific risks such as heavy, fragile or awkward items. Where necessary, we will adjust the planned method of work to minimise risks.

Our safe working practices include clear lifting and carrying procedures, team coordination when moving large or heavy furniture, use of suitable equipment, and control of vehicle movements in and around properties. We aim to minimise manual handling where possible and to identify any tasks requiring additional personnel or specialist support.

Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

Manual handling is a key part of our removal services, and we place strong emphasis on reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. All staff receive guidance on correct lifting techniques, including assessing the weight and stability of items, maintaining good posture, team lifting, and using mechanical aids when available.

We encourage employees to refuse to lift items they believe to be unsafe due to weight, size, shape or condition, or where access makes safe handling impossible. In such cases we will discuss alternative arrangements with the customer, which may include dismantling items, using different equipment, or revising the service.

Vehicle, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in good working order to support safe loading, transportation and unloading. Regular checks are made on tyres, brakes, lights, securing points and access steps or ramps. Loads are secured carefully to prevent movement during transit, and weight limits for vehicles are never exceeded.

Drivers are expected to obey all traffic laws and to drive with due care and attention, allowing adequate time for journeys within our service area. Use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving is prohibited. Drivers must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any medication that may impair their ability to drive safely.

Equipment and Protective Measures

Where appropriate, we use equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, blankets and protective coverings to assist in safe moving and to protect both property and goods. Staff may also use personal protective equipment such as gloves or safety footwear as required by the task.

All equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if it is found to be damaged or unsuitable. Employees are instructed to report any equipment defects immediately so that they can be rectified without delay.

Customer and Public Safety

We take reasonable steps to safeguard customers, their families, visitors and members of the public during our work. This includes maintaining clear walkways, carefully positioning vehicles, and communicating with the customer about any areas that should be kept clear while loading or unloading is in progress.

Customers are asked to cooperate with our team by keeping children and pets away from moving routes and work areas, avoiding interference with lifting operations, and informing us of any known hazards on the premises such as loose flooring, restricted access or structural issues.

Hazardous Items and Restricted Goods

For safety reasons, we may refuse to transport certain hazardous or prohibited items. These can include flammable liquids, gases, chemicals, explosives, illegal goods, and any items that present an unacceptable risk to our staff, the public, property or vehicles. Customers should inform us in advance of any items that may require special handling or present particular risks.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide appropriate training and information to all employees, so they understand the risks associated with removal work and know how to perform their duties safely. This may cover manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, accident reporting, and emergency procedures.

New team members work under supervision until they are competent to carry out tasks safely. Refresher guidance is provided whenever our procedures or equipment change, or where an assessment identifies a need for additional training.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses, injuries and damage to property arising from our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and to put in place corrective measures that reduce the chance of recurrence.

Our staff are briefed on what to do in an emergency, including making the area safe, contacting the relevant services if required, and providing accurate information to management. We keep appropriate records of incidents and act promptly on any lessons learned.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and reflects current legal requirements, industry best practice and the nature of our services. We may update procedures following audits, incident investigations or changes to our operations.

Man with Van Earls Court is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We welcome feedback from employees and customers on any aspect of safety during removal and transport work, and we use this information to strengthen our systems and working methods.