Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Ilford Man and Van

Ilford Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, transportation, loading and unloading, and related services.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment arising from our activities. We will identify and control health and safety risks, provide clear information and training, and continually improve our practices. Health and safety is a core part of how we plan and deliver every move.

Responsibilities and Management

The management of Ilford Man and Van is responsible for implementing this policy, setting health and safety standards, and ensuring that adequate resources are available. Supervisors and team leaders must ensure that safe systems of work are followed on each job, including domestic and commercial removals.

All employees share responsibility for working safely, reporting hazards, following training and instructions, and cooperating with management to maintain high standards of health and safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We undertake risk assessments for our key activities, including packing, loading, unloading, driving, handling heavy or awkward items, use of equipment, and working at different types of premises. These assessments inform our safe systems of work and are reviewed regularly or when work practices change.

Before starting any removal or transportation task, staff are expected to assess the immediate working environment, including access routes, stairs, surfaces, weather conditions, traffic areas and any potential obstacles, and adjust the plan of work to reduce risk.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work. We are committed to reducing the risk of injury by:

Providing training in correct lifting and carrying techniques, team lifting, use of handling aids and avoidance of overreaching or twisting.

Encouraging staff to assess the weight, size and stability of items before moving them and to request assistance or equipment when needed.

Using suitable moving equipment where appropriate, such as sack trucks, dollies and straps, and maintaining these in good condition.

Planning the route before carrying heavy items, ensuring it is as short, clear and level as possible.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

We aim to ensure that our vehicles are safe, roadworthy and suitable for the work carried out. This includes regular inspection, maintenance and cleaning of vans and associated equipment.

Drivers must hold an appropriate and valid driving licence, obey all road traffic laws, and operate vehicles in a safe and considerate manner. Journey planning will take into account realistic timings, rest breaks and weather or traffic conditions to minimise risk.

Loads must be distributed evenly and secured properly within vehicles to prevent shifting during transit. Drivers are responsible for checking that the vehicle is not overloaded and that access doors and ramps are secure before moving off.

Site Safety and Customer Premises

When working at customer premises, our staff will take reasonable steps to protect both people and property. This includes:

Identifying potential hazards such as narrow staircases, uneven surfaces, fragile flooring, low ceilings and confined spaces.

Using suitable protection where appropriate to help prevent damage, such as covers for floors and furniture, and careful placement of equipment.

Maintaining clear walkways, keeping doors and access routes as unobstructed as possible and managing trip hazards such as loose packaging materials.

Communicating clearly with customers and other people on site about any risks and movements of large or heavy items.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

All tools and handling equipment used by Ilford Man and Van must be suitable for their intended purpose and kept in good working order. Any defect or damage must be reported immediately and the equipment taken out of use until it is repaired or replaced.

Where necessary, staff will be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear and gloves, and will be instructed in its correct use, care and storage. Employees are expected to use protective equipment as instructed whenever it is provided.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide induction and ongoing training to ensure that all employees understand their health and safety responsibilities and are competent to carry out their tasks. Training covers topics such as manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, incident reporting and emergency procedures.

Information about specific risks associated with particular jobs or locations is communicated before and during work. Supervisors monitor work practices to ensure that safety procedures are followed and to provide guidance where required.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. We will investigate such events to identify causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Records of incidents and corrective actions are maintained and reviewed periodically to support continuous improvement in our health and safety management.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage employees to raise health and safety concerns, suggest improvements and participate in developing safer working methods. Feedback from staff and customers is valued and used to refine our procedures.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, our operations or industry best practice. The current version of this policy is made available to all staff and to customers on request.

Commitment

By following this Health and Safety Policy, Ilford Man and Van aims to deliver reliable, efficient and safe removal services, protecting the wellbeing of our staff, customers and the wider community at every stage of our work.