Epsom Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Epsom Man and Van is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety across all removal and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to protecting our employees, customers, visitors, contractors and the general public during home and office moves, collections, deliveries and related services.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property or the environment arising from our operations. Health and safety considerations are integral to planning and carrying out every removal and transport task. We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and continually seek to improve our working practices.

Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and provides appropriate resources, information, instruction and supervision. All employees and contractors are expected to cooperate fully with this policy and to work safely at all times.

Responsibilities

The management team is responsible for:

Ensuring that suitable risk assessments are carried out for removal and transport tasks.

Providing appropriate training, supervision and equipment to enable work to be carried out safely.

Monitoring performance, investigating incidents and implementing corrective actions.

Reviewing this policy periodically and when operations or legislation change.

All employees and contractors working for Epsom Man and Van are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work.

Following safe systems of work, method statements and instructions provided.

Using vehicles, tools and lifting equipment correctly and reporting any defects immediately.

Reporting accidents, near misses, hazards and unsafe conditions without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We undertake risk assessments for our removal and man and van services, including domestic moves, office relocations, furniture transport and loading or unloading at customer premises. These assessments identify hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, working at height during loading, vehicle movements and public interaction at properties and on the road.

On the basis of these assessments, we implement safe systems of work and, where necessary, method statements for higher risk activities. Staff are briefed on site-specific risks such as restricted access, staircases, uneven surfaces and parking or loading constraints. Work will not proceed where serious and uncontrolled risks are identified until satisfactory control measures are in place.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removals business, and we recognise the particular risks of back injury and musculoskeletal disorders. To manage these risks, we:

Provide manual handling training covering correct lifting techniques, team lifting, carrying methods and use of mechanical aids.

Plan lifting tasks so that loads are reasonable, routes are clear and sufficient staff are available.

Use handling equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, furniture sliders and straps whenever practical.

Assess items that are unusually heavy, awkward or fragile and adopt specific handling arrangements.

Expect staff to refuse to lift items that they consider unsafe or beyond their capability.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles and drivers play a central role in delivering safe, reliable man and van services. We manage road and transport risks by:

Ensuring vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in roadworthy condition.

Requiring drivers to hold appropriate licences and follow legal requirements for driving hours and rest breaks.

Loading and securing goods correctly to prevent movement, instability or damage during transit.

Planning routes and parking to minimise reversing, tight manoeuvres and risks to pedestrians.

Promoting considerate and defensive driving, observing speed limits and adapting to weather and traffic conditions.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our duty to protect customers, neighbours and members of the public during moves and deliveries. To achieve this, we:

Maintain clear access routes where possible and keep work areas tidy and free from tripping hazards.

Use caution when opening vehicle doors and moving large items through doorways, corridors and shared areas.

Position vehicles to reduce risks to pedestrians and other road users, while considering access for emergency vehicles.

Communicate with customers about any specific hazards at their premises and agree suitable arrangements before starting work.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

All tools, lifting aids and associated equipment used in removals are to be suitable for the tasks undertaken and maintained in good condition. Defective equipment is taken out of service immediately. Where risk assessments identify the need, we provide personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or high visibility clothing and ensure it is used and looked after appropriately.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide induction training for new staff and ongoing instruction to ensure all team members understand the health and safety requirements associated with removal and transport work. Training covers topics such as manual handling, vehicle safety, incident reporting, use of equipment and safe working at customer sites. Supervisors and managers monitor working practices, provide guidance and intervene if unsafe behaviours or conditions are observed.

Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, occupational ill health and near misses related to our removal and delivery activities must be reported promptly. We investigate these events to identify root causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence. Where required by law, we notify relevant authorities. Lessons learned are shared with staff to support continuous improvement.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage staff to raise health and safety concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safe working on removal jobs. Regular reviews of working methods, equipment, vehicle use and incident data allow us to refine our approach and maintain high standards of safety within our man and van operations.

Policy Review

This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our services, risk profile or applicable legislation. The latest version is communicated to employees and is available for customers and other interested parties on request.