Twickenham Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Twickenham Man and Van is committed to providing a safe, healthy and well-managed environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to preventing accidents, managing risks and promoting safe working practices across all man and van and removals operations.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our core objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and maintain a safe working environment at all times. We aim to achieve this by identifying and managing risks associated with lifting, loading, transport, working in domestic and commercial premises, and operating in streets and shared spaces during collection and delivery activities.

Legal Responsibilities and Commitment

Twickenham Man and Van will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry guidance relating to removal and transport activities. Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the business and ensures that appropriate resources, training and supervision are provided so that this policy is effectively implemented and kept under regular review.

All employees, contractors and associates are expected to cooperate with the company in carrying out this policy and to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We assess the risks associated with each removal or man and van job, taking account of the type and volume of items being moved, access conditions, parking arrangements, time constraints and any special customer requirements. Where necessary we will adapt our methods, allocate additional staff or equipment, or reschedule work to ensure that tasks can be completed safely.

Safe systems of work are developed for common tasks such as loading and unloading vehicles, handling large or bulky items, moving items up or down stairs, and operating in shared or public areas. These procedures are communicated to staff and reviewed regularly in light of experience, incidents or changes in operating practices.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removals and man and van services, and we recognise the associated risks of strains, sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries. To control these risks, we:

Provide manual handling training for staff, including safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of equipment such as trolleys and straps.

Encourage staff to assess each load before moving it and to refuse to lift or carry items that are too heavy or awkward to handle safely.

Use appropriate handling aids and additional manpower for heavy, fragile or high value items.

Plan routes within properties to minimise carrying distances, avoid obstructions and reduce the need for awkward movements.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are an essential part of our man and van and removals operations, and their safe use is a priority. Twickenham Man and Van will:

Ensure that vehicles are regularly inspected, maintained and kept roadworthy.

Require drivers to hold the appropriate licences and to comply with road traffic laws and safe driving practices.

Ensure loads are distributed safely, secured properly and kept within vehicle capacity limits.

Plan parking and loading arrangements to reduce reversing, minimise disruption to other road users and protect pedestrians during loading and unloading.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams often work in customers homes, offices and shared spaces. We take care to respect these environments and to keep them safe. This includes:

Identifying trip hazards such as loose carpets, narrow staircases or cluttered areas and agreeing safe routes with the customer.

Using protective coverings where appropriate to reduce the risk of slips and to protect surfaces.

Positioning equipment and vehicles so as not to obstruct entrances, pavements or emergency exits.

Managing the movement of large items through doorways and stairwells to avoid damage or injury to occupants, neighbours or passers-by.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide our staff with training relevant to their roles, including induction training on health and safety responsibilities, manual handling, safe use of equipment, and incident reporting. Ongoing guidance and supervision are provided to ensure that safe practices are maintained on every job.

Employees are encouraged to raise any health and safety concerns with their supervisor or manager so that these can be investigated and, where necessary, improvements can be made.

Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents and near misses, however minor, must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to record what happened, investigate the causes and put in place corrective actions to prevent a recurrence. Records of incidents are retained and regularly reviewed so that trends or recurring issues can be identified and addressed.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

Twickenham Man and Van will provide suitable equipment and tools for removal and transport work, such as trolleys, skates, straps, blankets and protective materials. Equipment is inspected and maintained so that it remains safe and fit for purpose.

Where required, appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves or high-visibility garments, will be provided and staff are expected to use and care for this equipment in accordance with training and instructions.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical demands of removals and man and van work. Employees are expected to attend work in a fit state, free from the influence of alcohol or drugs that could impair judgment or performance. Staff are encouraged to report any health issues that may affect their ability to undertake physical tasks safely so that reasonable adjustments can be considered.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry practices, our operations and any lessons learned from incidents or feedback. Twickenham Man and Van is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and to fostering a culture in which safety is an integral part of every removal and man and van service we provide.

All staff, contractors and customers are encouraged to support this policy and work with us to maintain a safe, professional and reliable moving service.