Balham Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Balham Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and man and van operations. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with transport, lifting, handling and storage of goods, and work carried out in homes, offices and other premises.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health arising from our work. We will manage health and safety with the same level of importance as service quality and customer care. We will comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry good practice for removal, moving and handling activities.

We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance through effective planning, risk assessment, training, supervision and review of our procedures.

Responsibilities

The management of Balham Man and Van has overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. Management will:

Ensure that suitable resources are made available to implement this policy and maintain safe systems of work.

Identify and assess risks associated with our removal and transport services and put in place appropriate control measures.

Provide employees with information, instruction, training and supervision necessary for them to carry out their work safely.

Investigate accidents, near misses and incidents and take action to prevent recurrence.

Regularly review this policy and associated procedures to ensure they remain effective and up to date.

All employees and contractors working on behalf of Balham 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 actions.

Following all safety instructions, procedures and training provided.

Using equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly and reporting any defects immediately.

Reporting hazards, near misses, accidents and incidents as soon as possible to management.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will conduct risk assessments for our key activities, including collection, loading, transport, unloading and placement of furniture, boxes and equipment. Assessments will consider manual handling, vehicle movements, working in and around customer premises, use of stairs, confined access, weather conditions and other foreseeable hazards.

Findings from risk assessments will be used to develop and implement safe systems of work and method statements appropriate to the nature and scale of each job. Our teams are required to follow these systems and to stop work if they believe it cannot be completed safely.

Manual Handling and Lifting Operations

Manual handling is a core part of our removal and man and van services. To minimise risk of injury, we will:

Train staff in safe lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifting and use of handling aids.

Plan lifting tasks in advance, considering the weight, shape, stability and route for each item.

Use appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies, furniture blankets and straps where reasonably practicable.

Avoid single-person lifting of heavy or awkward items wherever possible.

Encourage staff to refuse to lift or move any load they believe to be unsafe.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to the safe delivery of removal services. We will:

Ensure vehicles are appropriately maintained, taxed and insured and subject to regular checks.

Require drivers to complete daily vehicle safety checks and report defects immediately.

Plan routes to allow sufficient time for journeys, safe loading and unloading, and compliance with road safety laws.

Ensure loads are evenly distributed, secured and protected to prevent movement during transit.

Promote safe and courteous driving and prohibit driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that may impair ability.

Working at Customer Premises

Our teams regularly work inside customer homes, offices and other buildings. To protect our staff, customers and the public we will:

Carry out a dynamic risk assessment on arrival at each location, identifying hazards such as restricted access, trip risks, poor lighting, unsafe flooring, or other obstacles.

Agree safe routes for carrying items in and out of the property and keep those routes clear.

Use floor protection and other measures where necessary to reduce slipping hazards and protect surfaces.

Take extra care on stairs and in narrow spaces, using additional team members to guide and support where needed.

Ensure tools and equipment are used safely and stored securely when not in use.

Personal Protective Equipment and Workwear

Where risks cannot be fully controlled by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment will be provided, which may include protective gloves, safety footwear and high-visibility clothing. Employees must wear and look after any equipment issued to them and report loss or damage so it can be replaced.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff will receive induction training covering core health and safety requirements, safe handling techniques and company procedures. Additional training and refresher sessions will be provided as needed, particularly when changes to work methods, equipment or legislation occur.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring working practices on site, correcting unsafe behaviour and supporting less experienced staff. Health and safety information will be communicated through briefings, instructions and updates as appropriate.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible, whether they involve staff, customers or members of the public. Details will be recorded and investigated to identify causes and implement corrective actions.

Where required by law, incidents will be reported to the appropriate enforcing authorities. We will use information from investigations to improve our procedures and prevent similar events in the future.

Health and Welfare

Balham Man and Van recognises that the health and welfare of staff is essential for safe operations. We will take reasonable steps to manage fatigue, provide rest breaks appropriate to the work and encourage staff to raise any health concerns that may affect their ability to work safely. We will consider physical fitness for manual handling tasks and adjust duties where necessary.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and following any significant change in our operations, equipment, staffing or relevant legislation. Revisions will be communicated to all staff, and updated procedures will be implemented promptly.

By working together and following this policy, Balham Man and Van aims to deliver professional, reliable removal and man and van services while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone involved.