Surrey Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Surrey 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 removals and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks in all aspects of our man and van, household removals, office moves and light haulage services.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to prevent injury, protect health, and minimise risks arising from our work. We aim to conduct all operations, including packing, loading, transport, unloading and storage, in a way that safeguards everyone involved and the property in our care.

We will ensure that health and safety considerations are central to planning and delivering every removal job, whether for domestic or commercial customers, and that all work is carried out in compliance with applicable UK health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Surrey Man and Van has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. Management will:

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and systems of work appropriate for removal and transport tasks.

Identify, assess and manage significant risks linked to lifting, carrying, loading and driving, as well as any work at height, use of trolleys, or handling of bulky or fragile items.

Provide suitable training, information and instruction to employees, including safe lifting techniques, correct use of moving equipment, vehicle safety and incident reporting procedures.

Ensure that all staff understand their health and safety responsibilities and are competent to carry out the tasks allocated to them.

Review this policy regularly and update it when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, or the nature of our services.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees of Surrey Man and Van share responsibility for maintaining high standards of health and safety. Employees are expected to:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions during removals, driving and on-site work.

Use equipment, vehicles, protective clothing and tools correctly and only for their intended purpose.

Follow all safety instructions, risk assessments, method statements and training provided, especially in relation to manual handling, loading and unloading procedures.

Report accidents, near misses, hazards or unsafe conditions promptly to management so that corrective action can be taken.

Cooperate with management to enable the company to fulfil its legal and policy obligations in relation to health and safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including domestic and commercial removals, packing, dismantling and reassembly of furniture, transport of goods and on-site handling. These assessments will identify potential hazards and set out control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Typical control measures include planning safe access routes, using appropriate lifting equipment such as sack trucks or dollies, restricting manual lifting of excessively heavy items, and ensuring loads are balanced and secure before movement. Where properties have stairs, limited access or other restrictions, we will adapt our methods to ensure safety is maintained.

We will also ensure that vehicles are loaded within safe weight limits and that items are secured properly to prevent shifting or damage during transit.

Manual Handling

Manual handling is a central part of removal work, and we recognise the risk of injury if it is not managed responsibly. We are committed to:

Providing training in safe lifting and carrying techniques appropriate to the handling of furniture, appliances, boxes and specialist items.

Encouraging the use of team lifts and mechanical aids for heavy or awkward loads to reduce strain and risk of injury.

Avoiding unnecessary manual handling by planning loading sequences and parking positions carefully to minimise carrying distances and obstacles.

Monitoring working practices to ensure that safe manual handling guidelines are consistently followed.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are critical to the safe delivery of our services. Surrey Man and Van will ensure that vehicles used for removals and transport are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing.

Drivers will be required to hold the appropriate licences, follow the Highway Code and drive in a manner that prioritises safety over speed. Journey planning will take account of realistic timings, traffic conditions and the need for appropriate breaks on longer journeys.

Loads will be distributed evenly and secured, and doors, ramps and tail lifts, where fitted, will be operated only by trained personnel in accordance with manufacturer guidance.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our duty to protect customers, visitors and members of the public when working at private homes, offices and other premises. Our teams will:

Maintain clear pathways and use suitable signs or verbal warnings where necessary to alert people to removal activities.

Take care when moving large items through doorways, corridors, communal areas and car parks to avoid trips, collisions and damage.

Manage parking and access to minimise risk to pedestrians and other road users, while complying with local parking rules and restrictions.

Act courteously and professionally at all times, responding promptly to any safety concerns raised by customers or site representatives.

Training, Supervision and Communication

We will provide initial and ongoing health and safety training relevant to our removal and man and van services. This may cover manual handling, vehicle safety, safe use of equipment, working in customers homes and emergency procedures.

Supervisors and senior team members are responsible for guiding less experienced staff, ensuring safe practices are followed and addressing unsafe behaviour immediately. We encourage open communication so that staff feel comfortable raising safety issues without hesitation.

Accidents, Incidents and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, incidents and near misses will be recorded and reviewed to identify root causes and implement improvements. Where necessary, we will update risk assessments, methods of work or training content in response to lessons learned.

By continually monitoring performance, consulting with staff and adapting to new challenges, Surrey Man and Van aims to maintain a strong safety culture and deliver reliable, secure and responsible removal services for all customers.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and revised as required to ensure it remains relevant to our activities and reflects current legislation and industry standards. The latest version of this policy is available to employees and customers on request.