Health and Safety policy

Marylebone Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Marylebone Man and Van is committed to providing professional removal and delivery services in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, customers, contractors and the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with domestic and commercial moves, transportation, loading and unloading, and the handling of furniture and goods.

We recognise our legal and moral responsibilities to prevent accidents, work-related injuries and ill health. Health and safety considerations are integrated into our daily planning and decision-making so that every move, regardless of size or location, is carried out as safely as reasonably practicable.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Marylebone Man and Van rests with the company management, who ensure that adequate resources are available to implement and maintain this policy. Managers are responsible for:

Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out and reviewed for removal activities.
Providing and maintaining safe equipment, vehicles and systems of work.
Offering suitable health and safety training, information and supervision for staff.
Monitoring performance, investigating incidents and implementing corrective actions.

All employees, including drivers, porters and office staff, are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Following safe working procedures, guidance and instructions at all times.
Using equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and reporting any defects.
Immediately reporting accidents, incidents, near misses or hazards to management.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We conduct risk assessments for all core activities in our removal services, including packing, lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and transportation. Where a site presents specific challenges, such as restricted access, stairs or shared entrances, a site-specific assessment is undertaken before work begins.

Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments and communicated clearly to staff. These systems cover, among other matters:

Planning of moves to minimise manual handling and congestion.
Safe routes for carrying items through homes, buildings and communal areas.
Use of lifting aids, trolleys and ramps to reduce strain and risk of injury.
Secure stacking and load restraint within vehicles.

Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and following any significant change in our operations or after an incident that highlights new or altered risks.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key part of removals work and is a major focus of our health and safety arrangements. We aim to avoid hazardous lifting wherever practicable and to minimise risks where manual handling cannot be avoided.

All staff receive training in safe lifting techniques, team handling and the correct use of equipment such as sack trucks, furniture dollies and protective covers. We plan workloads to prevent over-exertion and ensure staff take appropriate rest breaks during longer moves.

Only trained and authorised staff may operate any specialist equipment. All removal equipment is subject to regular inspection and maintenance so it remains in safe working order. Any damaged or defective item is taken out of use immediately and reported for repair or replacement.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are integral to our removal services, and we treat vehicle safety as a priority. Vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained in line with manufacturer recommendations and applicable road safety requirements.

Drivers are required to hold the appropriate licences and to follow our driving standards, which include:

Carrying out daily vehicle checks before leaving the depot or base.
Securing all loads properly to prevent movement during transit.
Driving at safe speeds and adjusting to weather, traffic and road conditions.
Taking rest breaks to avoid fatigue on longer journeys.

No employee is permitted to drive or work while impaired by alcohol, drugs or medications that could affect their ability to operate safely.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We take care to protect customers, visitors and members of the public during all removal and delivery activities. Our crews are instructed to work considerately in all properties, keeping access routes as clear as possible and minimising disruption to neighbours and other building users.

Where practical, temporary safety measures such as warning signs or cordoned-off areas may be used while large items are being moved. Care is taken to protect floors, walls, doors and communal areas so that damage and trip hazards are avoided. Staff are trained to be vigilant for risks such as loose flooring, wet surfaces, poor lighting or restricted access and to report or mitigate these hazards when identified.

Training, Communication and Consultation

Health and safety training is provided as part of induction for new employees and is refreshed periodically. Training covers safe manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, incident reporting and site conduct. Additional instruction is provided when new procedures, vehicles or equipment are introduced.

We encourage open communication about health and safety. Employees are expected to raise concerns, suggest improvements and report hazards without fear of reprisal. Where relevant, we consult staff on changes that may affect their health and safety and consider their feedback when reviewing procedures.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We keep records of incidents and investigate them to identify causes and implement corrective or preventive actions.

Emergency procedures are in place for situations such as fire, vehicle breakdowns, road traffic incidents and injuries at work. Staff are briefed on what to do in these circumstances, including how to protect themselves, customers and the public, and how to notify the relevant emergency services when required.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Marylebone Man and Van monitors health and safety performance across its removal operations through incident statistics, staff feedback, inspection findings and customer comments. Management reviews this policy and associated procedures at regular intervals and whenever changes in legislation, industry good practice or operational needs make this necessary.

We are committed to continual improvement in health and safety, aiming to reduce risks at source and learn from experience so that every move we undertake is handled as safely and efficiently as possible.

This Health and Safety policy is communicated to all employees and is available to customers and interested parties upon request.