Health and Safety policy

Man and Van Blackfriars Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Man and Van Blackfriars manages and promotes a safe working environment when providing removal and transport services. Our aim is to protect our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public from the risk of injury or ill health associated with our work activities.

Policy Statement

Man and Van Blackfriars is committed to conducting all removal and delivery operations in a manner that prevents accidents, protects property, and safeguards health. We work to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and accepted industry standards, and to continuously improve our performance.

We recognise that the nature of moving, loading, transporting, and unloading goods can involve manual handling, working in and around vehicles, and entering customer premises. These activities require particular attention to risk assessment, safe systems of work, and adequate training.

Responsibilities and Management

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man and Van Blackfriars rests with the company management. Management ensures that appropriate resources, time, and training are provided to support safe working practices.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy on a day-to-day basis, including briefing staff on safe procedures, monitoring performance, and addressing any safety concerns promptly.

All employees and contractors working with Man and Van Blackfriars have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow instructions, use equipment safely, report hazards, and cooperate fully with the company’s safety arrangements.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including loading and unloading vehicles, carrying goods to and from properties, working in stairwells and confined spaces, operating in busy streets, and driving and parking vehicles in built-up areas.

From these assessments, we establish safe systems of work that cover:

Planning moves and deliveries to minimise manual handling risks.
Using correct lifting techniques when moving heavy or awkward items.
Assessing access routes, doorways, stairways, and lifts before moving items.
Ensuring floors and walkways are kept clear of trip hazards during work.
Positioning vehicles safely to reduce reversing and prevent obstruction to traffic and pedestrians.

Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and after any significant change in our operations, equipment, or work locations.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a central part of removal work and a key focus of our safety arrangements. We seek to reduce manual handling wherever reasonably practicable by using suitable equipment such as trolleys, dollies, harnesses, straps, and protective covers.

Our staff are instructed to:

Plan lifts and obtain assistance for heavy or bulky items.
Use team lifting for large furniture and appliances.
Keep loads close to the body, avoid twisting, and take regular breaks on longer jobs.
Refuse to carry loads that they consider unsafe or beyond their physical capability.

All equipment used in our work is maintained in good condition, checked regularly, and removed from service if damaged or defective.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and are operated with safety as a priority. Vehicles are inspected and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines and legal requirements.

Drivers are expected to:

Hold the appropriate licence for the vehicle they operate.
Conduct basic daily checks, including tyres, lights, mirrors, and securing mechanisms.
Drive within speed limits and adapt to road, weather, and traffic conditions.
Ensure all loads are properly secured and evenly distributed to prevent movement.
Park considerately, avoiding blocking access and taking care when working near traffic or pedestrians.

Drivers must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, illegal substances, or any medication that impairs their ability to drive safely.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working in customer homes, offices, and shared buildings, we aim to minimise disruption and any risk to occupants, neighbours, and the public. Our teams:

Assess access routes and identify potential hazards on arrival.
Use protective coverings where appropriate to reduce slips and damage to floors.
Keep routes as clear as possible, avoiding trailing cables and loose packaging.
Communicate with customers about any temporary obstructions or safety issues.
Respect shared spaces such as corridors, entrances, and lifts, and work to keep them safe and accessible.

We take particular care when moving items in communal areas or near entrances to reduce the risk of trips, collisions, or damage.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man and Van Blackfriars provides training and guidance relevant to each role, including manual handling techniques, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, and customer care. New staff receive an induction that includes health and safety procedures specific to removal work.

Ongoing supervision ensures that safe practices are followed consistently. Where required, refresher training is provided, particularly after any incident, near miss, or change in procedures.

Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported promptly to management. We record and review such events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Where necessary, we update risk assessments and work procedures to prevent recurrence. Staff are encouraged to report hazards and concerns without fear of blame, and we promote a culture of openness and improvement.

Health, Welfare, and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and aim to support the health and welfare of our team. Staff are expected to present for work in a fit condition, wearing suitable clothing and footwear that provide grip and protection.

We discourage lone working for high-risk tasks and encourage team members to look out for each other. Where any worker feels unwell, excessively fatigued, or unable to safely carry out a task, they are expected to raise this immediately so that appropriate adjustments can be made.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, our services, or the nature of the work we carry out. All staff are made aware of updates and are required to follow the latest procedures.

By following this policy, Man and Van Blackfriars aims to provide safe, reliable, and professional removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone affected by our work.



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Contact us

Company name: Man and Van Blackfriars Ltd.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 07:00-00:00

Street address: 160 Queen Victoria St
Postal code: EC4V 4BF
City: London
Country: United Kingdom

Latitude: 51.5124270 Longitude: -0.1022490
E-mail:
[email protected]

Web:
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