Lambeth Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Lambeth Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors 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 standards we follow to manage risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, transport of goods and related services.

Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective controls. Health and safety is an integral part of our business planning and decision making, and we expect everyone working with us to share this commitment.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management has overall responsibility for health and safety within Lambeth Man and Van. Management will:

Ensure that this policy is implemented, maintained and periodically reviewed so that it remains relevant to our work as a removal company.

Provide appropriate resources, information, instruction, supervision and training to enable employees to work safely and competently.

Set clear health and safety objectives, monitor performance and take corrective action where standards are not met.

Promote a positive culture where health and safety concerns can be raised without hesitation and are dealt with promptly.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, whether permanent, temporary or contracted, have a duty of care to themselves and others. Employees must:

Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of anyone who may be affected by their actions or omissions.

Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided by Lambeth Man and Van.

Use equipment, tools and vehicles only for their intended purpose and in accordance with training.

Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions or health and safety concerns to their supervisor as soon as possible.

Cooperate with management to ensure legal and company health and safety requirements are met.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We conduct risk assessments for our removal and transport activities, including packing, loading, unloading and driving. These assessments identify potential hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, working at height when loading vehicles, and road-related risks.

From these assessments we establish safe systems of work, which may include planning safe access routes, using appropriate lifting techniques, assessing the weight and shape of items, and using mechanical aids where practical.

Employees are informed of the outcomes of relevant risk assessments and are expected to follow the control measures in place. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and after any significant change in work practices or incidents.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removals service, and we take specific steps to minimise the risk of injury:

Staff receive training in safe lifting techniques, team handling and the use of moving equipment such as trolleys and straps.

Heavy or awkward items are assessed before moving, and team lifts are used where single-person lifting would be unsafe.

Where the risk cannot be adequately controlled by manual means alone, alternative methods such as disassembly, load reduction or use of mechanical aids will be considered.

Staff are encouraged to stop and seek assistance if they believe a task cannot be carried out safely.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our removal operations and must be operated safely at all times. We will:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, maintained and kept in a roadworthy condition.

Require drivers to hold the appropriate valid licence for the vehicles they operate and to follow all road safety laws.

Provide guidance on safe loading and securing of goods to prevent movement of loads during transit.

Encourage safe driving practices, including appropriate rest breaks, adherence to speed limits and avoidance of distractions while driving.

Tools, Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Lambeth Man and Van will provide suitable equipment to carry out removal tasks safely. This may include trolleys, dollies, moving blankets, straps and other handling aids.

Where necessary, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing will be supplied and must be worn as instructed. Employees are responsible for taking reasonable care of any equipment issued to them and reporting defects immediately.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our work frequently takes place at customer homes, offices and other premises, as well as on public roads and pavements. We recognise our duty to protect customers and the public by:

Maintaining tidy working areas and keeping access routes as clear as reasonably practicable.

Using safe lifting and carrying techniques to avoid sudden movements that could endanger others nearby.

Positioning vehicles safely and considerately to minimise obstruction and risk to pedestrians and other road users.

Communicating clearly with customers about any temporary restrictions or precautions needed during loading and unloading.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide induction training for all new staff and ongoing training for existing staff relevant to their role. This may include manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, emergency procedures and general health and safety awareness.

Supervisors are responsible for monitoring work on site, ensuring that safe systems are followed and providing guidance where required. Additional instruction is provided if tasks change or new equipment is introduced.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly. We record and investigate these events to identify causes and put in place measures to prevent recurrence.

Staff are briefed on what to do in the event of fire, injury, vehicle collision or other emergencies that may occur during removal work. First aid provisions are maintained and employees are informed of how to obtain assistance if someone is injured.

Health and Safety Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice or the nature of our removal operations. The latest version is communicated to employees, and copies are available to customers and other interested parties on request.

By working together and following the principles in this policy, Lambeth Man and Van aims to deliver efficient, reliable and above all safe removal services for every customer.