Health and Safety Policy for Hornchurch Man and Van

Hornchurch 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 removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, unloading, driving, and working in and around homes, offices, and other premises.

The management of Hornchurch Man and Van accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the business and will ensure that appropriate resources, training, and supervision are in place to maintain safe working practices across all removal and delivery services.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our objectives are to:

Identify, assess, and control risks associated with removal work, including manual handling, working in confined spaces, and vehicle operations.

Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry guidance.

Prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health through safe systems of work and continuous improvement.

Provide information, training, and supervision so that employees can work safely and confidently.

Protect customers, visitors, and the public from hazards arising from our activities in homes, offices, storage locations, and on the road.

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this policy, reviewing it regularly, and ensuring it remains suitable for the nature and scale of our removal operations. This includes assessing risks, maintaining equipment, arranging training, and monitoring performance.

Employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, and report any hazards, near-misses, or incidents without delay.

Contractors and temporary workers engaged by Hornchurch Man and Van are expected to comply with this policy and with all relevant safe working procedures while carrying out work on our behalf.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before commencing removal tasks, a suitable and proportionate risk assessment will be carried out where necessary. This includes considering access routes, parking and loading arrangements, stairways, lifts, uneven flooring, weather conditions, and any special handling requirements for large, heavy, fragile, or high-value items.

Based on these assessments, we will implement safe systems of work, including planning of lifting tasks, allocation of appropriate staff numbers, use of lifting aids where available, and clear communication between team members and customers. Work will only proceed when it is safe to do so.

Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

Manual handling is a core part of our removal service, and it is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. All staff receive guidance on correct lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of appropriate handling aids such as trolleys and straps where conditions allow.

No employee is expected to lift or carry loads that are beyond their capability or that present an unreasonable risk. Heavy or awkward items will be assessed individually, and where necessary additional personnel, equipment, or alternative techniques will be used. Staff are required to stop work and seek guidance if they believe a task cannot be carried out safely.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Hornchurch Man and Van ensures that vehicles used for removals and transport are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are suitable for the type and volume of loads carried. Routine checks are undertaken, and defects or damage must be reported immediately so that corrective action can be taken.

Drivers are required to hold the correct licence, obey speed limits and road traffic regulations, and drive with courtesy and care in all service areas. Loads must be secured properly to prevent shifting during transit, and vehicles must not be overloaded. Drivers must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any medication that impairs their ability to drive safely.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise that our work often takes place in occupied homes, residential streets, and busy commercial environments. Our teams will take reasonable steps to minimise disruption and protect customers and members of the public from hazards associated with removal operations.

This includes maintaining clear access routes where reasonably practicable, using safe lifting techniques in confined spaces, carefully positioning vehicles to reduce risk to pedestrians and other road users, and communicating clearly with customers about any temporary restrictions or hazards during the move.

Equipment, Tools, and Property Protection

All equipment and tools used in connection with our services will be maintained in a safe condition, inspected regularly, and used only for their intended purpose. Damaged or defective equipment must be removed from service and reported so that it can be repaired or replaced.

We will take appropriate care to protect customers property and premises during removal work, including the use of covers, blankets, or other protective measures where appropriate, and by handling items in a controlled and safe manner to reduce the risk of damage or injury.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Hornchurch Man and Van provides staff with the information and instruction they need to work safely. This includes induction for new starters, on-the-job guidance, and refresher training where appropriate. Supervisors and experienced team members are expected to lead by example and to reinforce safe working practices during day-to-day operations.

Where new equipment, vehicles, or working methods are introduced, staff will receive suitable information and training so that these can be used safely and effectively.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, near-misses, and hazardous conditions must be reported as soon as possible. Reports will be reviewed to identify root causes and to decide on any additional controls, training, or procedural changes needed to prevent recurrence.

We are committed to continual improvement of our health and safety performance. This policy and the associated procedures will be reviewed regularly, and also following any significant incident, operational change, or legal development affecting our removal activities.

Policy Communication and Review

This Health and Safety policy is communicated to all employees and is available to customers and other interested parties on request. Staff are made aware of their responsibilities and are encouraged to contribute suggestions for improving safety in all aspects of our work.

The policy is reviewed at appropriate intervals to ensure it remains current, relevant, and effective in supporting safe, professional removal services across our operating areas.