Man with Van Belmont Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Belmont is committed to maintaining high standards of health, safety and welfare for our customers, our team and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading vehicles, transporting goods and working in homes, offices and other premises across our service area.
Policy Aims and Responsibilities
The aim of this Health and Safety Policy is to prevent injury, protect property and minimise disruption during all moving and transport activities. We seek to identify and control hazards, provide clear guidance to our staff and communicate safety expectations to customers.
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that appropriate procedures, risk assessments and training are in place and regularly reviewed. Every member of staff is responsible for following safe working practices, using equipment correctly and reporting hazards or incidents as soon as they occur.
Risk Assessment and Planning
Before starting any removal or delivery, our team evaluates the job to identify potential risks. This may include assessing access routes, stairs, lifts, parking arrangements, loading areas, and any environmental factors such as poor lighting or uneven ground. Where necessary, we adapt the work plan to reduce risk, such as using additional staff, equipment or taking alternative routes.
For larger or more complex moves, our team may carry out a more detailed assessment on site before handling items. This may involve planning the order of loading and unloading, identifying items that require special handling and ensuring there is sufficient space for safe movement of people and goods.
Safe Lifting and Handling
The nature of moving services means that manual handling is a significant part of our work. To reduce the risk of strain, sprains and other injuries, our team follows recognised manual handling techniques, including assessing the weight and shape of an item before lifting, using correct posture, lifting with the legs and not the back, and working in pairs for heavy or awkward objects.
Staff are instructed to use appropriate handling aids, such as trolleys and straps, wherever practical. Items that are too heavy or unsafe to lift manually are not moved until a safe method is identified. We expect customers to inform us in advance of particularly heavy or delicate items so that we can plan for their safe movement.
Vehicle Safety and Loading
Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks on tyres, lights, brakes and loading equipment. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic vehicle safety checks and reporting any defects to management without delay.
When loading and unloading, our team takes care to avoid overloading, uneven weight distribution and unsecured items. Loads are secured to reduce movement in transit, helping to prevent damage to property and reduce the risk of accidents on the road. Care is taken when opening vehicle doors to avoid items falling unexpectedly.
Work Environment and Site Safety
We take reasonable steps to ensure that work areas in and around properties are kept as safe and tidy as possible during a move. This includes keeping walkways clear of trip hazards, managing cables and equipment safely, and organising boxes and furniture to minimise obstruction.
Where access involves stairs, ramps or narrow corridors, extra caution is exercised. Our team coordinates movements to avoid overcrowded spaces and communicates clearly when moving large items through doorways and shared areas. In shared buildings, we seek to minimise disruption to other occupants and visitors.
Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Gear
Any tools or equipment used during removals are selected and maintained with safety in mind. Staff receive instructions on the correct use of moving equipment and are required to follow manufacturer guidance and company procedures.
Where appropriate, team members may use personal protective gear such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing, particularly when working near traffic, loading on public roads or handling items with sharp edges or rough surfaces.
Customer Responsibilities and Cooperation
Health and safety is a shared responsibility. We ask customers to support a safe working environment by providing accurate information about access, parking and any known hazards at the premises. Customers should ensure that driveways, paths and internal routes are as clear as reasonably possible before our team arrives.
Children and pets should be kept away from areas where lifting, carrying and loading are in progress. We also ask customers not to assist with heavy lifting unless specifically agreed and supervised by our team, to reduce the risk of injury.
Training, Communication and Supervision
Our staff receive training relevant to their roles, including safe lifting techniques, vehicle loading, basic hazard awareness and incident reporting. New staff are supervised until they demonstrate they can work safely and follow company procedures.
We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Team members are expected to raise any concerns with their supervisor or management, especially if they believe a task cannot be completed safely in the manner originally planned.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, near misses and damage to property are reported and recorded. We review these reports to identify patterns, improve procedures and reduce the likelihood of similar incidents in the future. Where appropriate, we will discuss relevant issues with staff and update training or guidance.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to reflect changes in our operations, industry practice and any relevant legal requirements. By following this policy, Man with Van Belmont aims to provide a safe, reliable and professional moving service throughout our operating area.
