Health and Safety policy

Chiswick Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Chiswick Man and Van is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety in all removal and transportation activities. This policy sets out how we protect our employees, customers, the public and contractors when planning and carrying out moving, loading, unloading and associated services.

Everyone working for or with Chiswick Man and Van has a responsibility to follow this policy, to act with care, and to report any concerns that could affect safety. Management will provide the resources, training and supervision needed to support safe working practices at all times.

Policy Objectives

The main objectives of this Health and Safety Policy are to:

Identify, assess and control risks associated with removal work, lifting and carrying, driving and use of equipment.
Prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health for staff, customers and the public.
Provide safe systems of work for all house, flat, office and commercial moves.
Ensure all vehicles, tools and equipment used in our operations are safe and properly maintained.
Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards.
Promote a positive safety culture where issues are raised promptly and addressed effectively.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Chiswick Man and Van is responsible for implementing this policy and for ensuring that health and safety is integrated into day-to-day planning and decision-making. Management will:

Carry out and regularly review risk assessments for removal activities, including manual handling, working in confined spaces and driving.
Develop and update safe working procedures that reflect the findings of risk assessments.
Provide appropriate safety training, instruction and information for all staff and new starters.
Ensure that vehicles, trolleys, lifting aids and other equipment are regularly inspected, serviced and safe to use.
Investigate all incidents, accidents and near misses and take corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Review this policy periodically and whenever there are significant changes in operations or legislation.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must:

Follow company safety procedures and instructions at all times.
Use vehicles, equipment and protective gear only as trained and for their intended purposes.
Report any defects in vehicles, tools, premises or protective equipment immediately.
Adopt safe lifting techniques and seek assistance or mechanical aids for heavy or awkward loads.
Refrain from working under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that could impair judgement or performance.
Report accidents, near misses and hazardous situations to management without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Chiswick Man and Van carries out risk assessments for typical removal and transport activities, as well as for any non-standard tasks. These assessments consider hazards such as:

Manual handling of furniture, boxes and appliances.
Trips, slips and falls when using staircases, ramps and external pathways.
Vehicle movements in residential streets, loading bays and car parks.
Use of lifting equipment, sack trucks and other handling aids.
Weather conditions that may affect loading, unloading or driving.

Based on these assessments, appropriate control measures are implemented, which may include route planning, use of lifting aids, team lifting, personal protective equipment and agreed communication procedures on site.

Manual Handling and Load Safety

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is treated as a priority risk area. To minimise the risk of strain, sprain and other injuries, we:

Provide training in correct lifting techniques, posture and team handling.
Encourage staff to assess each load before lifting and to refuse unsafe lifts.
Use trolleys, dollies, straps and other aids wherever practical.
Plan the order of loading and unloading to reduce unnecessary handling.
Secure loads correctly inside the vehicle to prevent shifting during transit.

Vehicle and Road Safety

All driving and vehicle operations must be carried out safely and responsibly. Chiswick Man and Van will:

Ensure that vehicles are maintained, serviced and inspected in line with manufacturer and legal requirements.
Check that drivers hold the relevant licences and are fit to drive.
Encourage defensive driving techniques and adherence to speed limits and traffic regulations.
Plan routes to allow sufficient time for safe travel and rest breaks where appropriate.
Ensure vehicles are loaded evenly and within permitted weight limits.

Customer, Property and Public Protection

When working in customer homes, offices or shared spaces, our teams will act with care to protect people and property. This includes:

Maintaining clear walkways and exits during moves.
Using protective coverings and corner protectors where appropriate to reduce damage risks.
Positioning vehicles, ramps and equipment to minimise risk to pedestrians and other road users.
Communicating clearly with customers about any safety considerations on the day of the move.

Training, Information and Supervision

Chiswick Man and Van provides relevant training and supervision to support safe working. This may include:

Induction training on health and safety policies and procedures.
Practical instruction in manual handling, use of equipment and vehicle operation.
Ongoing briefings on identified risks, seasonal conditions and changes in procedures.
Close supervision of new staff until they are assessed as competent for independent work.

Incident Reporting and Policy Review

All accidents, injuries, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. Reports are reviewed to identify root causes and to implement further controls if needed.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with current operations and legal requirements. Updates are communicated to all employees and applied consistently across our removal and transport services.

By following this policy and working together, Chiswick Man and Van aims to provide a safe, reliable and professional moving service for every customer while protecting the wellbeing of our staff and the wider community.