Health and Safety policy

Uxbridge Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Uxbridge Man and Van 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 transportation activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our responsibilities and expectations in relation to the planning, handling, loading, transport, and unloading of goods, as well as work carried out in customers’ homes, offices, and premises.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We recognise that professional removals and man and van operations involve manual handling, vehicle use, and work in varied environments. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent injury, ill health, property damage, and environmental harm arising from our work. Health and safety considerations are integral to our decision making, operational planning, and staff training.

Management at Uxbridge Man and Van accepts primary responsibility for implementing this policy and for ensuring that appropriate resources, procedures, and supervision are in place to maintain high standards of safety at all times.

Legal Compliance and Continuous Improvement

Uxbridge Man and Van will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation, codes of practice, and relevant industry guidance for removals and transport services. We will monitor changes in legal and best practice requirements and review our procedures accordingly.

We are committed to continual improvement in our health and safety performance through regular review of incidents, near misses, customer feedback, and staff suggestions. Lessons learned will be used to update this policy, working methods, and training programmes.

Roles and Responsibilities

Senior management is responsible for ensuring that this policy is communicated, understood, implemented, and regularly reviewed. They must ensure that risk assessments are carried out for our activities and that appropriate control measures are in place.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for the day-to-day application of this policy on jobs, including briefings before work begins, checking equipment, monitoring safe working practices, and addressing unsafe behaviour or conditions.

All employees and contractors 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, attend training, use equipment correctly, report hazards, and cooperate fully with investigations and improvements.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Uxbridge Man and Van will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments covering our main activities, including loading and unloading vehicles, moving furniture and heavy items, operating lifting aids, and working in confined or shared spaces.

For each removal, our teams will assess the specific conditions on site, such as access routes, stairways, parking locations, floor surfaces, lighting, and any particular hazards. Where risks are identified, appropriate control measures will be applied, including the use of additional staff, specialist equipment, or amended working methods.

Safe systems of work will be developed for high risk tasks such as carrying large items, moving fragile goods, operating tail lifts, and securing loads for transport. These systems will be communicated clearly to all staff and reviewed periodically.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core element of removal work. Uxbridge Man and Van will aim to avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable, and where avoidance is not possible, we will reduce the risk of injury through planning, training, and the use of appropriate equipment.

Our staff will receive guidance on correct lifting techniques, team lifting, assessment of load weight and stability, and the importance of dynamic risk assessment while handling goods. Wherever suitable, we will use handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and blankets to minimise strain and protect both people and property.

All equipment provided for lifting and moving items will be maintained in a safe condition and inspected at appropriate intervals. Defective or damaged equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of service until repaired or replaced.

Vehicle Safety and Load Security

Our vehicles will be maintained to a high standard and inspected regularly to ensure they are safe and roadworthy. Drivers are responsible for conducting basic pre-use checks and reporting any faults or concerns promptly.

Loads will be planned, positioned, and secured to prevent movement during transit. Staff will be trained in appropriate methods of stacking, strapping, and protecting items. Access to vehicles will be controlled during loading and unloading to avoid slips, trips, falls, and crush injuries.

Protection of Customers, Premises, and the Public

Uxbridge Man and Van will take reasonable steps to protect customers, their premises, and the public from risks arising from our work. This includes careful route planning within properties, use of protective coverings where appropriate, and clear communication with customers regarding any restrictions or precautions needed.

Where work is carried out in shared or public areas, we will manage access, use warning signs where necessary, and keep walkways clear to reduce the risk of accidents and obstruction.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We are committed to ensuring that all employees and contractors are competent to carry out their duties safely. This will be achieved through induction training, job-specific instruction, refresher training, and on-the-job supervision.

Staff will receive information on relevant hazards, control measures, emergency procedures, safe driving practices, and proper equipment use. Training records will be maintained and reviewed to identify any additional needs.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses, damage incidents, and health and safety concerns must be reported without delay to a supervisor or manager. We will investigate incidents to identify root causes and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.

Emergency procedures will be in place for events such as fire, serious injury, vehicle breakdown, and adverse weather. Staff will be briefed on how to respond, how to contact emergency services where needed, and how to keep themselves and others safe while assistance is arranged.

Review of Policy

This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, equipment, or relevant legislation. Updated versions will be communicated to all staff and will replace previous editions from the date of issue.

By working together, Uxbridge Man and Van aims to deliver efficient, professional removal services while maintaining the highest attainable standards of health, safety, and welfare.