Finsbury Park Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Finsbury Park 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 delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks associated with man and van, house removals, office moves, and related transport and handling services.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We recognise our responsibility to comply with relevant health and safety legislation and accepted industry best practice within the removals and light transport sector. Our objectives are to prevent injury, protect health, and minimise risks during all stages of collection, loading, transport, unloading, and delivery of goods.

Management will provide appropriate resources, information, training, and supervision to enable all employees to work safely. Every worker, including temporary and subcontracted personnel, is required to co-operate with this policy and take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others.

Management Responsibilities

Company management is responsible for implementing and reviewing this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:

Carrying out and updating risk assessments for typical man and van and removal tasks, including lifting, carrying, loading, vehicle movements, and working at or near customer premises.

Ensuring that vehicles, lifting equipment, trolleys, ramps, and other tools are suitable for the task, properly maintained, and used safely.

Providing appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, and high-visibility clothing where necessary.

Ensuring that emergency procedures are in place and that employees understand how to respond to incidents, accidents, and near misses.

Monitoring performance and investigating any safety concerns to prevent recurrence and improve overall standards.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, drivers, and porters must:

Follow all safety instructions, training, and procedures issued by the company.

Use vehicles, equipment, and protective gear only for their intended purpose and report any defect immediately.

Adopt safe manual handling techniques during lifting, carrying, loading, and unloading to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury.

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of colleagues, customers, and members of the public.

Report accidents, incidents, near misses, or unsafe conditions to management without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before commencing removal or delivery work, a suitable and proportionate assessment of risks will be carried out. This may include consideration of access routes, stairways, parking and loading restrictions, building layouts, weather conditions, and the nature and weight of items to be moved.

Where higher-risk activities are identified, such as moving bulky or fragile items, piano removals, or work at height, a more detailed safe system of work will be developed. Staff will be briefed on any specific controls, such as the need for additional manpower, specialist equipment, or temporary barriers.

Manual Handling and Load Safety

Manual handling is a key part of our man and van and removal services, and we treat it as a priority area for safety management. We will:

Provide training on correct lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifts for heavy or awkward items.

Use mechanical aids such as sack trucks, dollies, and furniture sliders wherever reasonably practicable.

Plan the route for moving items in and out of properties to avoid unnecessary lifting, twisting, or carrying over long distances.

Ensure that loads are secured safely within vehicles using straps, blankets, and other restraints to prevent movement during transit.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our removal and transport operations. We will maintain them in safe, roadworthy condition and carry out regular checks and servicing. Drivers are required to:

Hold the correct driving licence for the vehicle being used and comply with road traffic laws at all times.

Conduct pre-use vehicle checks, including tyres, lights, indicators, mirrors, and load security.

Drive responsibly and adjust speed and driving style to weather, traffic, and road conditions.

Plan routes to minimise reversing and unsafe manoeuvres and use a banksman or guide when reversing in confined spaces where possible.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise that our work often takes place at customers homes, offices, and other premises where members of the public may be present. Our teams will:

Respect and follow any specific safety rules at customer sites where they are consistent with legal requirements.

Keep access routes as clear as reasonably possible, avoiding trip hazards such as loose packing materials, tools, and trailing straps.

Use caution when moving items through shared areas such as corridors, stairwells, and entrances and give priority to vulnerable persons including children, older persons, and those with mobility issues.

Take care to prevent damage to property and building structures that could create further safety risks.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All new employees receive an introduction to the companys Health and Safety Policy and the specific hazards associated with removal and delivery work. Ongoing training is provided as needed, including refresher training on manual handling, load security, and safe driving.

Supervisors and senior staff are responsible for monitoring working practices, correcting unsafe behaviour, and reinforcing safe systems of work. Information about incidents, lessons learned, and improvements will be shared with employees to promote a positive safety culture.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. This enables us to investigate, identify root causes, and take corrective action to prevent a repeat occurrence.

Employees must be familiar with emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, road traffic collisions, personal injury, or property damage. First aid arrangements will be maintained in line with legal requirements and the nature and scale of our work.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary, for example following changes in legislation, significant incidents, or developments in our man and van and removal services. The latest version of this policy will be made available to employees and customers on request.

By working together and following this policy, Finsbury Park Man and Van aims to deliver safe, reliable, and professional removal and transport services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved.