Romford Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Romford 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 removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with household removals, commercial moves and related transport services.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and disruption to services by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting in place effective control measures. Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning and delivery of all removal and transport work.

We aim to:

Promote a positive safety culture where everyone takes responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation, codes of practice and industry standards. Provide information, instruction, supervision and training to enable employees to work safely and competently. Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Romford Man and Van has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources are made available to maintain safe operations. This includes planning work so that it can be carried out safely, monitoring performance, and taking prompt action where improvements are required.

Managers will ensure that risk assessments are carried out, kept up to date and communicated to all relevant staff. They will also ensure that employees understand their duties, follow agreed procedures and use equipment correctly.

Employee Duties

All employees and operatives working on behalf of Romford Man and Van share a responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided. Use vehicles, lifting equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Report accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions without delay. Cooperate fully with management in the implementation and improvement of health and safety arrangements.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Risk assessments are carried out for key activities including manual handling, loading and unloading vehicles, operating removal equipment, working at height when necessary and working in and around customer properties. These assessments consider the nature of the load, access routes, parking arrangements, traffic, weather and any other relevant factors.

Based on these assessments, safe systems of work are developed and implemented. Staff are trained in these procedures and are expected to follow them at all times. Where conditions change on site, dynamic risk assessments are completed so that work can proceed safely or be paused if necessary.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a key focus of our safety arrangements. Romford Man and Van provides training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling aids.

Where items are particularly heavy, large or awkward, additional staff, mechanical aids or alternative methods will be used. Employees are instructed not to exceed their individual capabilities or to attempt unsafe lifts. Customers are encouraged to inform us in advance of any unusually heavy or fragile items so that suitable arrangements can be made.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition in line with legal requirements and manufacturer recommendations. Pre-use checks are carried out by drivers, and any defects are reported immediately so that appropriate action can be taken.

Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow road traffic laws, and drive in a manner that prioritises safety over speed or convenience. Loads are secured properly to prevent movement during transit, and vehicles are loaded within their safe working limits. Parking and access arrangements at customer locations are assessed to minimise risk to staff, customers and other road users.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Only trained and authorised personnel may use removal equipment such as lifting straps, ramps and trolleys. Equipment is inspected regularly and taken out of service if defects are identified.

Where required, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear and high-visibility clothing is provided. Staff are required to use this equipment correctly and to report any damage or loss so that replacements can be arranged.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Romford Man and Van recognises its responsibility to work safely within customer homes, offices and shared spaces. Floors, stairs and access routes are checked for hazards and kept as clear as reasonably practicable during moves. Where possible, trip hazards, sharp edges and unstable items are identified and controlled.

Care is taken to protect property, fixtures and fittings during removals. Where work is taking place near members of the public, additional care is taken to segregate work areas and communicate clearly to avoid incidents.

Training, Information and Supervision

All new employees receive an introduction to our health and safety arrangements, including safe lifting practices, vehicle and equipment use, and site safety. Ongoing training is provided to refresh existing knowledge and introduce updated procedures or equipment.

Supervisors monitor working practices, provide guidance on safe methods and intervene where unsafe behaviour or conditions are observed. Feedback from employees is encouraged to help identify areas where further training or changes to procedures may be necessary.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. Accurate records are kept so that trends can be identified and corrective actions implemented.

Incidents are investigated to understand root causes, not to place blame. Lessons learned are shared with relevant staff, and procedures or training are updated where appropriate to prevent recurrence.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legislation or industry guidance. Employee feedback, incident data and customer comments are considered as part of this review.

Romford Man and Van is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety, recognising that effective management of risks supports the well-being of our workforce and the quality and reliability of the removal services we provide.