Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Removal Van Marylebone
Removal Van Marylebone 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 delivery activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with household and commercial removals, packing, loading, transport and unloading.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental impact arising from our work. We will identify and control hazards, comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, and promote a culture where safety is an integral part of every task.
Health and safety responsibilities are shared at every level of the business. Management will provide leadership, resources and systems for safe working, and every team member is expected to follow safe practices and report concerns promptly.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Removal Van Marylebone is responsible for implementing this policy and reviewing it regularly. This includes:
Ensuring risk assessments are completed, recorded and kept up to date for all key activities, including manual handling, driving, loading and unloading, and working in and around customers premises.
Providing appropriate training, supervision and information to employees and contractors, so they are competent to carry out their work safely.
Supplying suitable personal protective equipment where required, such as safety footwear, gloves, high visibility clothing and additional protection where specific tasks demand it.
Maintaining vehicles, lifting equipment, ramps and tools in safe working condition, and arranging regular inspections and servicing as needed.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
Reviewing this policy periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, equipment or legal requirements.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and contractors working on behalf of Removal Van Marylebone share responsibility for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Each team member is expected to:
Follow the health and safety procedures and instructions provided during training and inductions.
Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly and only for their intended purpose.
Report accidents, near misses, hazards, damage to property or unsafe conditions immediately to their supervisor or manager.
Refrain from engaging in horseplay, reckless behaviour or working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Cooperate fully with any investigation, inspection or review of working practices.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We conduct risk assessments for our removal and delivery operations and update them when circumstances change. Typical risks include manual handling injuries, slips and trips, falls from height when working on vehicles, vehicle movements, and damage to customer property.
Safe working procedures are in place for packing, lifting, carrying, loading and unloading, including:
Planning routes and parking locations to minimise reversing and unsafe manoeuvres.
Assessing access at collection and delivery points, including stairways, doorways, lifts and external paths.
Using correct manual handling techniques, working in pairs or teams for heavy or awkward items, and using equipment such as trolleys where appropriate.
Securing loads safely in vehicles to prevent shifting during transit.
Keeping working areas as clear as reasonably practicable to avoid slips, trips and collisions.
Manual Handling
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and carries significant risk of back, shoulder and other musculoskeletal injuries. To manage this risk, we:
Train staff in safe lifting and carrying techniques, including posture, team lifts and assessing loads before moving them.
Encourage staff to refuse to lift items that are beyond safe limits and to request assistance or equipment instead.
Plan jobs to minimise carrying distances and avoid unnecessary stair work where alternatives exist.
Rotate tasks where possible to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to our operations and must be operated safely at all times. We:
Ensure that drivers are properly licensed, trained and familiar with the vehicles they operate.
Carry out regular checks and maintenance on vehicles, including tyres, brakes, lights, securing points and lifting platforms where fitted.
Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations.
Promote safe driving behaviours, including journey planning, rest breaks for longer journeys and avoiding distractions while driving.
Customer and Public Safety
We recognise our duty to protect customers, their property and members of the public while we are working. Our teams:
Communicate clearly with customers about access, parking and any short-term restrictions needed to carry out the move safely.
Take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised persons entering working areas, particularly where lifting or carrying is in progress.
Handle customer possessions with care, using protective coverings where appropriate to prevent damage or contamination.
Endeavour to minimise noise, obstruction and disruption in residential and commercial locations.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide initial and ongoing training to ensure that all staff understand their health and safety responsibilities and the specific risks associated with removal work. Training topics include:
General health and safety awareness and company procedures.
Manual handling and load securing.
Safe use of vehicles and any specialist equipment.
Emergency arrangements, incident reporting and first aid awareness.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring working practices on site, correcting unsafe behaviour and ensuring that agreed procedures are followed.
Accidents, Incidents and First Aid
All accidents, injuries, near misses and damage to property must be reported as soon as possible so they can be recorded and investigated. We use this information to identify trends and make improvements.
We maintain suitable first aid provisions in our vehicles or at operational bases where appropriate, and ensure that employees know how to access assistance in the event of an emergency.
Continuous Improvement
Removal Van Marylebone is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We will consult with employees, review feedback from customers and analyse incident data to refine our procedures. By working together, we aim to deliver reliable removal services while maintaining high standards of safety for everyone involved in or affected by our work.
