Swiss Cottage Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Swiss Cottage Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with man and van removals, loading and unloading, transportation, and related services in our operating area.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property, and harm to the environment arising from our work activities. We aim to:

Identify and control risks arising from removal and transportation operations, provide appropriate information, instruction, and training to all staff, maintain safe vehicles, tools, and equipment, plan work to reduce the likelihood of accidents, and continually improve our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that health and safety is integrated into all aspects of our man and van services. This includes:

Conducting and reviewing risk assessments for removal jobs and related tasks, ensuring that safe systems of work are in place and followed, providing suitable training and supervision for staff, supplying and maintaining appropriate personal protective equipment, and investigating accidents, near misses, and incidents to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors working for Swiss Cottage Man and Van have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They are required to:

Follow all safety procedures and instructions provided, use vehicles, equipment, and PPE correctly, report hazards, defects, incidents, and near misses promptly, avoid reckless or unsafe behaviour, and cooperate with management in implementing this policy.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Risk assessments are carried out for typical removal and transportation activities, and for any non-routine or higher-risk tasks. Before each job, our team considers factors such as property access, parking, lifting requirements, stairways, and any specific customer needs that may affect safety.

Where necessary, additional control measures are put in place, such as adjusting staffing levels, using lifting aids, or rearranging the order of work to reduce risk. Assessments are reviewed periodically and after any significant change in our services or working practices.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling, including lifting, carrying, and loading items, is a core part of our services and a key area of risk. To reduce the likelihood of strains, sprains, and other injuries:

Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques and team handling, loads are assessed for weight, size, and stability before moving, heavy or awkward items are handled by two or more team members where required, trolleys, dollies, and other handling aids are used where suitable, and items are secured inside vehicles to prevent shifting during transit.

Vehicle Safety and Driving

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Regular checks are carried out on brakes, tyres, lights, securing points, and loading areas. Drivers are responsible for conducting pre-use checks and reporting any issues immediately.

Safe driving practices are required at all times. Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, follow speed limits, and adapt their driving to weather, traffic, and local conditions. Loads must be distributed evenly and secured properly, and doors and ramps must be used safely when loading and unloading.

Use of Equipment and PPE

Equipment used during removals, such as trolleys, straps, and protective covers, must be suitable for the task and maintained in good condition. Defective equipment is removed from service until repaired or replaced.

Where required, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, and high-visibility clothing is provided. Employees must use PPE as instructed and take care of it. Any loss or damage must be reported so that replacements can be arranged.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customers' homes, offices, or other premises, our team will act to protect both the customer and the public. This includes:

Keeping access routes clear and managing trip hazards from tools, boxes, and wrapping materials, using protective coverings on floors and surfaces where appropriate, taking care when moving items through tight spaces and shared areas, and being mindful of noise, parking, and loading activities that may affect neighbours and passers-by.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All staff receive appropriate induction and role-specific training relevant to their duties. This may include manual handling, safe driving, equipment use, and incident reporting. Training needs are reviewed regularly and when changes occur in our operations or equipment.

Supervision is provided to ensure that safe working practices are followed, particularly for new staff or those undertaking new tasks. Instructions and safety information are communicated clearly and updated as required.

Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, damage to property, and near misses must be reported as soon as possible. Reports are reviewed, and where appropriate, investigations are carried out to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Records of incidents are maintained to help us monitor trends and improve our health and safety performance over time.

Emergency Procedures

Emergency procedures are in place to manage events such as fire, serious injury, vehicle breakdown, or collision. Employees are informed of relevant procedures and must follow them in the event of an emergency. This includes cooperating with emergency services and notifying management promptly.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our operations, legal requirements, or best practice. Feedback from staff, contractors, and customers is welcomed and used to support continual improvement in how we manage health and safety across our man and van services.

By following this policy, Swiss Cottage Man and Van aims to deliver reliable removal and transportation services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved.