Shepherd's Bush Man and Van Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety policy sets out how Shepherd's Bush Man and Van manages safety in all man and van and removal activities. Our aim is to protect our staff, customers, members of the public and any third parties affected by our work. We are committed to preventing accidents, injuries and damage to property during collection, loading, transport and delivery of goods.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We will conduct our services in a way that minimises risk, promotes safe working practices and complies with relevant health and safety legislation. We review this policy regularly to ensure it remains appropriate to the nature and scale of our work, which involves moving, lifting, transporting and delivering items for domestic and commercial customers.
Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Management, drivers, porters and customers all have a role in maintaining a safe environment before, during and after each move.
Responsibilities and Management
The company is responsible for implementing this policy and providing suitable information, instruction and guidance so that work can be carried out safely. This includes assessing risks, planning safe systems of work and ensuring vehicles and equipment are appropriate for the tasks undertaken.
Supervisors and drivers are responsible for applying safe procedures on every job, reporting hazards, and stopping work where an activity becomes unsafe. Staff must cooperate with safety instructions, use equipment correctly and immediately report any incident, near miss or concern.
Customers are asked to support our safety standards by providing safe access to properties, informing us of any known risks on site and following reasonable instructions from our staff during loading and unloading.
Risk Assessment and Planning
Before starting work, a risk assessment will be carried out for each removal or delivery. This may be done in advance or on arrival, depending on the nature of the job. The assessment will consider factors such as access routes, stairs, lifts, parking arrangements, manual handling demands, weather conditions and any unusual or heavy items.
Where significant risks are identified, the work will be planned to reduce those risks as far as reasonably practicable. This may include using additional manpower, specialist moving equipment, protective coverings, adjusted loading methods or alternative access routes. If a job cannot be completed safely, we reserve the right to modify or refuse the work until appropriate measures are in place.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of our removal and transport services. To reduce the risk of injury, our staff are instructed to:
Assess the weight, size and stability of items before lifting; use correct lifting techniques, keeping loads close to the body; team-lift heavy or awkward items; use moving aids such as sack trucks, skates or straps when appropriate; and avoid twisting, overreaching or carrying loads that obstruct their view.
We do not expect customers to assist with heavy lifting. Where customers choose to help, they do so at their own risk and must follow the guidance of our staff. We may decline customer assistance if it introduces additional risk.
Vehicle Safety and Loading
We take all reasonable steps to ensure our vehicles are roadworthy, suitable for removal work and maintained in line with manufacturer guidance and applicable regulations. Drivers are responsible for daily checks, including tyres, lights, brakes and securing systems.
Loads are arranged and secured so that they do not shift during transit. Heavy items are positioned low and towards the front of the vehicle where possible, and appropriate securing devices are used. We will refuse to carry items that cannot be transported safely because of size, weight, condition or prohibited contents.
Site Safety, Access and Housekeeping
During loading and unloading, we aim to create a safe working area. This includes keeping walkways as clear as reasonably possible, managing trip hazards such as trailing straps or packaging and using safe routes between the vehicle and the property.
Customers should ensure that driveways, hallways, stairways and access routes are reasonably clear and that any known hazards, such as loose steps, damaged flooring or low ceilings, are brought to our attention. Where necessary, we may adjust our methods or ask for items to be relocated within the property to create a safer access route.
Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Measures
Where appropriate, staff may use basic personal protective measures such as gloves or protective footwear to reduce the risk of injury. Moving equipment is selected to suit the item and access conditions. All staff must use equipment only for its intended purpose and inspect it visually before use. Damaged or unsuitable equipment must not be used and must be reported immediately.
Weather, Environment and External Conditions
Weather and environmental conditions can significantly affect safety. When working in rain, ice, strong wind or other challenging conditions, staff will take additional precautions. This may include slowing the pace of work, using alternative routes, rescheduling work or requesting that customers move items closer to exits before arrival, where possible.
Where external stairs, ramps, pavements or shared access areas become unsafe, work may be temporarily halted until reasonable safety can be restored.
Hazardous Items and Restricted Goods
For health and safety reasons, we may refuse to move items that are hazardous, unstable, excessively heavy, contaminated or in poor structural condition. This may include certain chemicals, flammable substances, gas cylinders, items containing infestations, or goods that are likely to leak or break during normal handling.
Customers must inform us in advance about items that could present additional risks. Failure to disclose such items may result in delays, additional charges or refusal to transport those items.
Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses
All accidents, injuries, property damage and near misses must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. We will investigate incidents to determine underlying causes and take steps to prevent recurrence. This may involve changes to procedures, additional guidance or adjustments to equipment and staffing levels.
Training, Information and Review
We are committed to providing our staff with appropriate information and guidance on safe working practices relevant to removal and man and van operations. We review our methods of work in light of experience, customer feedback and any incidents that occur.
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed periodically and updated where necessary to reflect changes in our services, vehicles, equipment or legal requirements. The latest version is made available to staff and customers on request.
Customer Cooperation and Shared Responsibility
Health and safety depend on cooperation. By booking our services, customers agree to support safe working by providing accurate information about access, parking and items to be moved; preparing properties so that access routes are reasonably clear and safe; following any reasonable instructions from our staff intended to protect people and property; and keeping children, pets and bystanders away from active loading and unloading areas.
By working together, Shepherd's Bush Man and Van and its customers can help ensure that every removal and transport job is completed as safely and efficiently as possible.
