Hammersmith Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Hammersmith Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all 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 our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting, and unloading goods across our service areas.

Policy Aims and Scope

The aim of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property arising from our work. It applies to all employees, agency staff, subcontractors, and any other persons engaged in work on behalf of Hammersmith Man and Van, whether on client premises, public roads, storage locations, or company vehicles.

We recognise our duty to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and to follow best practice within the removals and transport industry. Health and safety is a core part of how we plan and deliver every removal, from small man and van jobs to larger home or office moves.

Management Responsibilities

Company management holds overall responsibility for ensuring that health and safety standards are implemented and maintained. This includes:

Setting clear health and safety objectives and regularly reviewing performance.

Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, documented, and kept up to date for all key activities, including lifting and handling, vehicle use, loading and unloading, and work at customer locations.

Providing appropriate equipment, vehicles, and protective gear that are suitable for the nature of our removal work and that are properly maintained.

Making sure that all staff receive the training and information they need to work safely and to understand their responsibilities.

Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses and taking corrective action to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has an important role in maintaining a safe working environment. All staff must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all safety procedures, instructions, training, and safe systems of work provided by the company.

Use vehicles, tools, lifting aids, and protective equipment properly and report any defects immediately.

Report hazards, near misses, and accidents to a manager as soon as possible.

Cooperate with any investigations, risk assessments, or health and safety initiatives carried out by the company.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We regularly assess the risks associated with our work and implement safe working methods designed specifically for removal activities. This includes:

Assessing access routes, parking, and loading areas at collection and delivery points.

Evaluating the size, weight, and nature of items to be moved, including fragile or awkward loads.

Planning lifting operations to reduce manual handling risks, using trolleys, dollies, straps, and other aids where appropriate.

Considering environmental factors such as stairs, narrow doorways, weather conditions, and traffic when working on public streets or private premises.

Introducing control measures where higher-risk activities are identified, such as team lifting, additional equipment, or alternative routes.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our work, and we take particular care to minimise the risk of strain and injury. We ensure that:

Staff receive training on correct lifting techniques and body positioning.

Loads are assessed before moving to determine whether they can be lifted safely by one person, require team lifting, or need mechanical assistance.

Heavy or bulky items are handled using appropriate equipment wherever possible.

Staff are encouraged to speak up if they believe a lift is unsafe or beyond their capability.

Vehicle and Road Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our man and van services, and we treat road safety as a priority. We commit to:

Maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy condition with regular checks and servicing.

Ensuring that drivers are competent, licensed, and aware of their responsibilities under road traffic laws.

Loading and securing goods safely to prevent movement during transit and to avoid hazards to other road users.

Planning routes to minimise risk, taking account of local traffic conditions, access restrictions, and safe loading or unloading points.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

While working at customer addresses, commercial sites, or on public roads, we take steps to protect everyone who may be affected by our operations. This includes:

Maintaining clear walkways and avoiding trip hazards caused by boxes, tools, or packaging.

Using warning signs or verbal communication where moving large items through shared spaces or entrances.

Taking care to protect property, fixtures, and fittings from damage while moving items through buildings.

Working considerately around neighbours, pedestrians, and other road users, especially when parking vans or operating near driveways and pavements.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide staff with information and training appropriate to their roles, including induction training for new starters and refresher training where needed. Training covers topics such as manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, and incident reporting.

Supervisors and team leaders monitor working practices on jobs and provide guidance to ensure that safety procedures are followed throughout the removal process.

Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported promptly. This enables the company to investigate what happened, take any necessary corrective action, and review risk assessments and procedures where required. Records of incidents are retained and used to improve our health and safety performance.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Hammersmith Man and Van is committed to continuously improving its health and safety standards. We review this policy regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, relevant legislation, or industry best practice.

This Health and Safety Policy is communicated to all employees and is available to customers and other interested parties on request, demonstrating our commitment to safe, professional removal services across our operating areas.