Health and Safety Policy for Stockwell Man and Van

Stockwell 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 the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, driving and operating in residential and commercial environments.

1. Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental incidents arising from our operations. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing control measures and promoting a positive health and safety culture throughout the company.

Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and will ensure that appropriate resources, equipment, training and supervision are provided. All employees and contractors 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.

2. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all activities undertaken by Stockwell Man and Van, including but not limited to domestic removals, commercial moves, packing services, loading and unloading vehicles, transport of goods, on-site surveys and any related handling or storage tasks.

3. Responsibilities

Company Management is responsible for establishing and reviewing this policy, setting health and safety objectives, monitoring performance and ensuring that appropriate risk assessments and safe systems of work are in place. Management will also ensure that all staff are properly trained and that work equipment and vehicles are maintained in a safe condition.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing safe working practices on site and in vehicles, communicating relevant safety information, monitoring adherence to this policy and reporting incidents, hazards and near misses.

Employees and contractors are responsible for following training and instructions, using equipment correctly, wearing any required personal protective equipment, reporting hazards and incidents promptly and cooperating fully with health and safety procedures.

4. Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We conduct risk assessments for our removal activities, including site access, manual handling operations, loading and securing of loads, driving and parking, and work carried out in stairwells, corridors and confined spaces. These assessments are used to develop safe systems of work that are communicated to staff.

Where risks cannot be eliminated, they will be reduced so far as is reasonably practicable through planning, appropriate equipment, safe techniques and suitable supervision. Our teams are encouraged to stop work and seek guidance if a task cannot be carried out safely.

5. Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

Manual handling is a key part of removal work. To minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, we provide training in safe lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifts for heavy or awkward items. Staff are instructed to assess the load, the route and environmental conditions before lifting or moving items.

Where practical, we use handling aids such as dollies, trolleys, straps and lifting equipment. Loads are broken down into manageable sections where possible, and employees are required to ask for assistance rather than attempting to move items that may exceed safe limits.

6. Vehicle, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular inspections and servicing. Drivers are responsible for completing pre-use checks, reporting defects immediately and ensuring that vehicles are not used if they are unsafe.

All loads must be evenly distributed and securely fastened to prevent shifting during transit. Drivers must comply with road traffic legislation, observe speed limits, drive defensively and plan routes to minimise risks associated with difficult access, low bridges or restricted zones where applicable.

7. Site Safety, Access and Public Protection

When working at customer premises or commercial sites, our teams will take care to protect both the property and the people in or near the working area. This may include cordoning off loading zones, using warning signs where needed and keeping access routes clear of trip hazards.

Special attention is given to stairways, narrow corridors, entrances and shared areas to prevent collisions, falls and damage. Where parking or loading presents a risk to the public, our teams will seek the safest available arrangements and follow site-specific instructions.

8. Equipment, Personal Protective Equipment and Maintenance

All tools, lifting aids and removal equipment used by Stockwell Man and Van are selected for suitability and maintained in good working order. Faulty equipment is taken out of service immediately and reported for repair or replacement.

Where necessary, staff are provided with suitable personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing. Employees are required to use such equipment correctly and to report loss or damage without delay.

9. Training, Information and Supervision

We provide induction and ongoing training to ensure that all staff understand their health and safety responsibilities and are competent to carry out their tasks. This includes training in manual handling, vehicle safety, load security, use of equipment and emergency procedures.

Instructions and safety information are communicated clearly before work begins on each job. Less experienced staff work under appropriate supervision until they can demonstrate safe and competent working practices.

10. Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and hazardous situations must be reported as soon as possible. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Emergency procedures, including actions to take in the event of injury, fire, vehicle breakdown or collision, are communicated to staff. Drivers and team leaders are responsible for ensuring that appropriate emergency equipment is available in vehicles where required.

11. Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical demands of removal work and take steps to protect the health and welfare of our staff. Employees are expected to present themselves fit for work, not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and to report any health issues that may affect their ability to work safely.

Breaks are scheduled to reduce fatigue on longer jobs or driving periods. We encourage staff to maintain good posture, hydration and general fitness to support their wellbeing and reduce the risk of injury.

12. Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals, or following any significant incident, change in operations or legal requirement. Feedback from employees, customers and other stakeholders is welcomed and used to improve our procedures and performance.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Stockwell Man and Van aims to provide safe, reliable and responsible removal services for all customers in our service area.