Health and Safety policy

Marylebone Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Marylebone Man and Van is committed to providing a professional, safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, transport and related services.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health arising from our work and to continually improve our health and safety performance. We aim to identify and control risks linked with household and office removals, furniture handling, packing, loading, unloading and driving, so that all work is carried out as safely as reasonably practicable.

Legal Responsibilities and Compliance

Marylebone Man and Van complies with relevant health and safety legislation and guidance applicable to removal and transport operations. Management is responsible for ensuring that safe systems of work are developed, implemented and monitored, and that all employees understand their duties in relation to health and safety. We review our policy regularly, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or applicable regulations.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Marylebone Man and Van will:

Plan and organise work so it can be completed safely and efficiently, providing adequate resources for health and safety. Implement appropriate risk assessments for tasks such as lifting and carrying, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, loading vehicles, and navigating tight access routes. Provide relevant information and instruction so staff understand safe procedures, emergency measures and reporting requirements. Monitor working practices and investigate incidents, near misses and complaints to prevent recurrence. Lead by example, promoting a positive safety culture throughout our removals operations.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors of Marylebone Man and Van must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow the companys safe working procedures, risk assessments and training instructions at all times. Use vehicles, tools, equipment, lifting aids and personal protective equipment provided by the company in a proper and safe manner. Report accidents, near misses, hazards, vehicle defects and unsafe conditions to management without delay. Refrain from any activity that may put themselves, colleagues, customers or the public at risk, including working while unfit through fatigue, alcohol or drugs.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading at properties, packing and unpacking, and short-distance and longer-distance transport. These assessments identify potential hazards such as manual handling, trip and slip risks, falling objects, vehicle movement, working on stairs, confined spaces, and adverse weather conditions.

For each task, safe systems of work are developed. This may include team lifting, using appropriate lifting aids, planning routes through properties, securing loads in vehicles, and managing customer presence during operations. Staff are instructed to stop work if a situation is assessed as unsafe and to seek guidance from a supervisor or manager.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key element of removals work and is a major focus of our safety arrangements. Our team members receive manual handling training covering lifting techniques, use of trolleys, handling of bulky or heavy items, and safe working on stairs and uneven surfaces. We encourage careful planning of each move, including assessing the weight, size and fragility of items before lifting.

Where required, suitable equipment is provided, such as sack trucks, dollies, moving straps and furniture blankets. All equipment must be inspected before use and any defects must be reported immediately. Only trained staff are permitted to use any specialist lifting or securing equipment.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in good working order and are subject to regular checks and servicing appropriate to their use in the removals sector. Drivers are responsible for completing pre-use checks, reporting defects, and driving in a manner that protects passengers, other road users and the public.

Loads must be secured properly to prevent movement during transit, and vehicles must not be overloaded. Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, observe speed limits, drive defensively and adjust their driving for weather, traffic and road conditions.

Customer and Public Safety

Marylebone Man and Van is committed to working safely in and around customer premises and public spaces. Where practical, we will agree access routes in advance with customers, identify potential hazards such as low ceilings, narrow corridors, loose floor coverings or restricted parking, and take reasonable measures to reduce risk.

Customers may be asked to keep children, pets and unnecessary visitors away from working areas to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Our staff are instructed to maintain clear walkways, avoid leaving trip hazards, and communicate when heavy or awkward loads are moving through shared areas.

Training, Information and Supervision

All new staff receive an induction which includes our health and safety expectations, safe working practices for removals and driving, and procedures for incident reporting and emergencies. Ongoing training is provided where needed, including updates on manual handling, vehicle loading, and use of any new equipment or methods.

Supervisors and experienced staff are expected to support newer team members, oversee complex or high-risk moves, and intervene if unsafe practices are observed. Information on health and safety arrangements is communicated clearly and updated when procedures change.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses and significant incidents must be reported promptly to management. These are recorded, investigated and reviewed to help us learn lessons and improve our procedures. Where a customer or member of the public is affected, we will provide appropriate information about what has occurred and any immediate steps taken.

Employees are trained on what to do in an emergency, including summoning medical assistance, making areas safe, and contacting the relevant authorities when necessary.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Marylebone Man and Van regularly reviews its health and safety performance and this policy to ensure it remains effective and appropriate for our removals operations. Feedback from staff and customers, as well as findings from incident investigations and site observations, are used to improve our procedures and standards of work.

This Health and Safety Policy is endorsed by management and applies to all Marylebone Man and Van activities. All staff are required to cooperate fully with its implementation so that we can deliver professional removal services in a safe and responsible manner.