Health and Safety policy

Brent Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Brent Man and Van is committed to providing safe, reliable and professional removal services for all customers. The health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public are central to the way we operate. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, transport and on-site work.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and unnecessary disruption by managing health and safety in a systematic and practical way. We comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised best practice for removal companies, and we continuously review our arrangements as our operations develop.

We are committed to:

Identifying and controlling hazards associated with removals work, especially manual handling and transport. Providing appropriate training, supervision and instruction to all team members. Supplying and maintaining vehicles, equipment and protective gear that are safe and fit for purpose. Encouraging a positive safety culture where concerns can be raised and acted upon without delay. Reviewing accidents, incidents and near misses to learn lessons and improve.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Brent Man and Van rests with management, who ensure that adequate resources, time and support are allocated for implementing this policy.

Management will:

Assess key risks associated with our removal services. Provide appropriate equipment and maintain vehicles to safe standards. Arrange regular training and updates for staff. Monitor safety performance and investigate incidents.

Employees and contractors must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow safe systems of work and instructions given by supervisors. Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear properly and report defects immediately. Report accidents, near misses, hazards and health concerns promptly.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our main activities and for specific tasks or locations where the level of risk is higher. These assessments guide the controls and procedures that our teams must follow.

Our safe working practices cover:

Collection and delivery at residential and commercial premises. Packing, loading, unloading and moving items, including heavy or bulky objects. Working in confined spaces such as stairwells, corridors and loading bays. Vehicle movements in busy streets, driveways and shared access areas.

Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and after any significant change in our operations or following a major incident.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a central part of removal work and is one of the main sources of potential injury. Brent Man and Van is committed to reducing manual handling risks as far as reasonably practicable.

We will:

Avoid unnecessary lifting and carrying by planning routes and using equipment such as trolleys and dollies where appropriate. Assess the weight, size, shape and stability of items before moving them. Encourage team lifting techniques for heavy or awkward loads. Provide training on safe lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling techniques. Instruct staff never to attempt to move items that exceed safe limits or cannot be handled safely with available equipment or manpower.

Vehicle and Road Safety

Our vehicles are a core part of our removal services, and their safe operation is essential to protecting staff, customers and the public.

We will ensure that:

Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained to a safe standard. Loads are distributed and secured correctly to prevent movement during transport. Drivers hold the appropriate licences and are competent and medically fit to drive. Drivers follow road traffic laws, speed limits and parking rules at all times. Journeys are planned to allow sufficient time, reducing pressure that could lead to unsafe driving.

Drivers must conduct basic pre-use checks and report any defects, incidents or near misses involving vehicles immediately.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams often work in occupied homes, shared buildings and public areas. We recognise our duty to minimise disruption and protect the safety of all people who may be affected by our activities.

We will:

Take care when moving items through doorways, staircases and common areas to prevent slips, trips and falls. Use safe routes for carrying items and clearly communicate movements within the team. Keep walkways as clear as practicable and manage trip hazards such as loose packaging. Act with courtesy and caution around customers, neighbours and passers-by. Stop work if conditions become unsafe, for example due to blocked routes, structural concerns or aggressive behaviour.

Training, Information and Supervision

Training and competence are crucial to delivering safe and efficient removal services. Brent Man and Van will provide staff with the information and instruction necessary to carry out their roles safely.

Training will cover, as appropriate:

General health and safety awareness. Safe manual handling and use of lifting aids. Vehicle safety and basic load securing principles. Use and care of protective equipment. Incident reporting and emergency response procedures.

New starters will receive an induction before starting operational duties. Ongoing supervision and refresher briefings will be provided to maintain standards and reinforce good practice.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We select equipment that is suitable for the nature and scale of our work and maintain it so that it remains safe to use. Where appropriate, staff may be provided with personal protective equipment such as gloves or safety footwear. Employees must use such equipment correctly and report any damage or loss.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as practicable. This enables us to take immediate action where necessary and to learn from events.

We will:

Record and investigate incidents to identify root causes. Take corrective and preventive actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Provide information on emergency arrangements to staff, including how to respond in the event of injury, fire, traffic collision or other serious incidents.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise suggestions, highlight hazards and participate in improving safe systems of work.

This policy and the associated procedures are reviewed regularly and updated as needed to reflect changes in legislation, operational practice or the nature and scale of our removal services. Our goal is continual improvement in safety performance alongside reliable and professional service for every customer.