Maida Vale Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Maida Vale Man and Van is committed to maintaining high standards of health, safety and welfare for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This policy outlines the principles and procedures we follow to ensure that our moving and transport services are carried out safely and responsibly at all times.

Policy Aims and Scope

This health and safety policy applies to all aspects of our man and van and removals operations, including packing, loading, unloading, transport, storage handling and on-site work at residential and commercial properties. Our aims are to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, protect property, and promote safe working practices throughout every stage of a move.

The policy covers all employees, casual workers, drivers, porters and any third parties engaged by Maida Vale Man and Van while working under our direction.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management holds overall responsibility for health and safety within Maida Vale Man and Van. This includes providing clear leadership, adequate resources and effective systems to manage risk. Management will:

Set and review health and safety objectives, ensure that risk assessments are completed, kept up to date and acted upon, provide suitable vehicles, tools, equipment and protective gear, ensure that staff receive appropriate training, supervision and information, investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and take corrective action where necessary.

Employee Responsibilities

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. Employees must:

Follow all health and safety instructions and procedures, use vehicles, tools, equipment and protective gear correctly, report hazards, defects, accidents and near misses promptly, participate in training and safety briefings as required, avoid horseplay or unsafe behaviour at all times, and cooperate fully in maintaining a safe working environment.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We conduct risk assessments for our removal and transport activities to identify potential hazards and determine appropriate control measures. These assessments consider factors such as property access, staircases, lifts, parking and loading areas, heavy or awkward items, fragile goods, weather conditions and time of day.

From these assessments we implement safe systems of work. These may include specific moving techniques, team sizes, use of handling equipment, safe parking and traffic management arrangements, and agreed communication methods between team members during complex moves.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant part of our work and is managed carefully to minimise the risk of injury. We provide training covering correct lifting and carrying techniques, team lifting for heavy or bulky items, assessing the weight and stability of loads before moving them, and using handling aids such as trolleys, dollies and straps where appropriate.

All equipment used in the course of our work is checked regularly for defects and maintained in safe working condition. Any faulty or unsafe equipment must be removed from use and reported immediately.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to the safe delivery of our services. We ensure that vehicles are suitable for the tasks undertaken, regularly inspected, serviced and maintained, loaded within legal weight limits, and loaded and secured so that goods do not move during transit.

Drivers must hold the appropriate licences, follow road traffic laws at all times, drive with due care and attention, and take regular breaks on longer journeys as needed. Drivers are expected to conduct basic pre-use checks on their vehicles, such as tyres, lights and securing equipment, and to report any issues immediately.

Customer and Public Safety

We take practical steps to protect customers, visitors and members of the public during our work. This includes keeping walkways clear of trip hazards where reasonably possible, using warning signs or verbal warnings when moving large items in shared or communal areas, carefully managing work near doorways, corridors and entrances, and planning loading and unloading activities to minimise disruption and risk.

Working at Height and Use of Stairs

Where work at height is unavoidable, such as using steps or loading from elevated areas, we assess the risks and use safe methods. We use suitable equipment where required, ensure surfaces are stable and free from obvious hazards, and avoid overreaching or unsafe positioning.

Stairs present particular risks in removal work. We take care with footing, weight distribution and communication between team members, especially when carrying large or heavy items. Items that are too large, heavy or awkward for safe stair carrying will be reassessed and alternative methods considered.

Housekeeping and Site Conditions

Good housekeeping is essential to maintain safety. Our teams keep working areas as tidy as reasonably practicable, stack boxes and items securely to avoid collapse, and promptly address spillages or debris which could cause slips or trips.

We also take account of environmental conditions, such as rain, ice, heat or poor lighting, and adapt our working methods where necessary to ensure safety.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide appropriate induction and ongoing training to all staff that is relevant to their roles and responsibilities. Topics include manual handling techniques, safe loading and unloading, use and care of equipment, vehicle and driving safety, emergency procedures, and hazard awareness.

Supervisors and experienced staff monitor work standards, provide guidance, and address unsafe practices as they arise. Additional instruction is provided whenever new equipment, vehicles or working methods are introduced.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, dangerous occurrences and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. We record and investigate these events to identify causes and to implement corrective and preventive measures. Where required, incidents are reported to relevant authorities in line with applicable legislation.

Emergency Procedures

We maintain clear procedures for dealing with emergencies, including road traffic incidents, injuries at work, fire and property damage. Staff are briefed on these procedures and are expected to act promptly, calmly and in line with their training, prioritising the safety of people before property.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

Maida Vale Man and Van is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. This policy is reviewed regularly, and sooner if significant changes occur in our operations or relevant legislation. Feedback from staff, customers and contractors is welcomed as part of our effort to maintain and improve safe working practices.

By following this health and safety policy, Maida Vale Man and Van aims to ensure that every move is completed with due care for the wellbeing of everyone involved and for the protection of property and the wider community.