Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Highbury Man and Van

Highbury Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, clients, 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 house moves, office moves, item collection and delivery, and related loading and unloading operations.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We recognise our responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of everyone involved in or affected by our moving and transport work. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing sensible control measures. Health and safety considerations are an integral part of planning and delivering our man and van and removals services.

Roles and Responsibilities

Management at Highbury Man and Van is responsible for ensuring that appropriate systems, procedures, and resources are in place to manage health and safety effectively. This includes providing information, supervision, and training for staff and ensuring that vehicles and equipment are suitable and maintained.

Employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow safety procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents promptly, and cooperate fully with health and safety measures and instructions.

Clients and site contacts are expected to provide safe access to premises, inform us of any known hazards such as restricted access, unsafe surfaces, or structural issues, and cooperate with our team to support safe working conditions during loading and unloading.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before and during our removals and transport activities, we assess the risks associated with the specific job. This may include considering access routes, stairs, lifts, parking and unloading locations, the weight and dimensions of items, and any special handling requirements. Where necessary, we will adjust staffing levels, equipment, and timings to ensure the job can be carried out safely.

We develop and follow safe systems of work for tasks such as lifting and carrying, securing goods in vehicles, operating handling equipment, and working in and around client premises. These systems are reviewed periodically and updated where improvements are identified or following incidents or near misses.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core element of our removals service and represents a key area of health and safety focus. Our staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, including assessing the load, planning the route, using team lifts where appropriate, and avoiding awkward postures and unnecessary twisting.

Where reasonably practicable, we use handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, and straps to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. No member of staff is required to lift or carry any item they believe is unsafe or beyond their capability. Large, heavy, or awkward items are planned carefully, and additional staff or specialist equipment may be arranged.

Vehicle and Road Safety

We ensure that our vehicles used for removals and transport are roadworthy, well maintained, and suitable for the loads they carry. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, brakes, lights, and securing points. Vehicles are cleaned and organised to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falling objects.

Drivers are required to hold appropriate licences, follow road traffic laws, and drive in a manner that prioritises safety over speed. Loads are distributed and secured correctly to prevent movement during transit. Parking and unloading are planned to minimise risk to staff, clients, and members of the public, particularly in busy or constrained streets.

Working in Client Premises

Our teams work in a variety of domestic and commercial settings. We take care to protect both people and property while carrying out removals. This includes checking for trip hazards, maintaining clear walkways, and using protective coverings where appropriate to reduce the risk of damage or slips.

Where there are specific site rules or building regulations, our staff will cooperate with those requirements as far as they are compatible with safe working practices. We encourage clients to keep pets, children, and non-essential personnel away from work areas to reduce the likelihood of accidents.

Equipment, Tools, and Personal Protective Equipment

Highbury Man and Van provides staff with appropriate equipment and personal protective equipment relevant to moving and transport tasks. This may include gloves, safety footwear, high visibility garments, and other items required for certain environments or conditions.

All equipment is inspected and maintained so that it remains safe and fit for purpose. Employees must use equipment correctly, report any defects immediately, and never use faulty or unauthorised equipment.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide training to ensure our staff are competent to perform their roles safely. This includes induction training, manual handling instruction, vehicle safety awareness, and job-specific guidance. Refresher training is provided where necessary or where new risks or procedures are identified.

Supervisors and team leaders monitor work on site and intervene where unsafe practices are observed. We encourage open communication so that staff feel comfortable raising safety concerns or suggesting improvements.

Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, injuries, and near misses occurring during our work must be reported as soon as possible. This allows us to provide any necessary first aid or follow-up support and to investigate what happened. We review incidents to learn lessons and implement changes that can prevent recurrence.

Records of incidents, training, inspections, and maintenance are kept and reviewed to monitor our overall health and safety performance and to identify trends or areas requiring additional attention.

Hazardous Substances and Restricted Items

As a removals and transport business, we may occasionally encounter items or substances that present additional risks, such as chemicals, gas cylinders, fuels, or equipment containing hazardous materials. We reserve the right to refuse transport of items that cannot be safely handled, stored, or moved within our usual controls.

Clients must inform us in advance if any such items are to be moved so that we can assess the risk and determine whether it is safe and lawful for us to transport them.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in our operations, relevant guidance, or lessons learned from experience. We are committed to continuous improvement in our health and safety performance and welcome feedback from staff and clients on ways to enhance safety during removals and transport.

By engaging Highbury Man and Van, clients agree to support the implementation of this policy and to cooperate with our staff in maintaining a safe environment for everyone involved.