Finsbury Park Man and Van Health and Safety Policy
Finsbury Park Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and man and van activities. We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice, and we actively work to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property during all moving and transport operations.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The purpose of this Health and Safety Policy is to set out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading of vehicles, transportation of goods, and on-site activities at customer premises. Our main objectives are to:
Identify and control hazards related to lifting, carrying, driving, loading, unloading and working in varied environments.
Provide clear instructions, information, training and supervision to employees and contractors.
Promote a culture in which health and safety is an integral part of planning and delivering every move.
Continuously review and improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Finsbury Park Man and Van holds overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy. This includes ensuring suitable resources are available to maintain safe working conditions and that all employees are aware of their responsibilities. Management will:
Carry out and regularly review written risk assessments for typical removal activities and higher risk tasks.
Develop safe systems of work for loading, unloading, manual handling and driving duties.
Provide and maintain appropriate vehicles, tools and equipment in safe, roadworthy and serviceable condition.
Ensure employees receive appropriate induction and ongoing training, including manual handling, vehicle safety and site-specific safety procedures.
Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and take corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, drivers and porters share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. They are expected to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety procedures, guidance and training provided by Finsbury Park Man and Van.
Use vehicles, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Report hazards, accidents, incidents and near misses without delay so that appropriate action can be taken.
Cooperate with management and supervisors on all health and safety matters.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We conduct risk assessments for our core services, including residential moves, office relocations, furniture transport and collection or delivery services. Key areas considered include access routes, stairways, lifts, parking, loading areas, traffic movement, manual handling, weather conditions and time pressures.
Where significant risks are identified, suitable control measures and safe working practices are implemented. These may include team lifting, use of trolleys or dollies, load-securing systems in vehicles, route planning, time scheduling to avoid peak congestion, and task-specific briefings before starting work at a site.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is managed carefully to minimise the risk of injury. Our approach includes:
Training staff in correct lifting and carrying techniques, including working in pairs or teams where necessary.
Assessing the weight, shape and stability of items before moving them.
Using appropriate handling aids such as sack trucks, dollies, straps and blankets to reduce physical strain and protect items.
Avoiding unnecessary carrying by planning efficient loading routes and using mechanical aids whenever reasonably practicable.
Ensuring that staff do not exceed safe individual lifting limits and are encouraged to ask for assistance with heavy, awkward or bulky items.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to our operations and must be operated safely at all times. Finsbury Park Man and Van ensures that:
Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained according to manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.
Drivers hold the correct licences and are competent to operate the vehicles allocated to them.
Loads are distributed evenly and securely fastened to prevent movement during transit.
Drivers follow road traffic laws, observe speed limits and drive with consideration for other road users.
Journey planning takes account of route suitability, loading and unloading points, parking availability and any local restrictions.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our teams work in and around customer homes, offices and public areas. We take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors and the public from harm by:
Maintaining clear walkways and exit routes during loading and unloading.
Positioning vehicles and equipment to minimise obstruction and risk to pedestrians and other road users.
Handling customer property with care to avoid damage to building fabric, fixtures and fittings.
Being mindful of noise, dust and general disruption, especially in shared buildings and busy streets.
Training, Information and Supervision
All new staff receive a health and safety induction that covers core procedures, safe lifting techniques, vehicle rules and emergency arrangements. Refresher training is provided as needed, particularly when new equipment or working methods are introduced.
Supervisors are responsible for monitoring work practices on site and intervening where unsafe behaviour or conditions are identified. Toolbox talks and briefings are used to reinforce key safety messages and address any issues highlighted through incident reports or customer feedback.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records are kept and reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Where required by law, incidents will be reported to the relevant enforcing authorities.
Staff are briefed on emergency actions to take in the event of fire, collision, injury or other serious incidents, including contacting emergency services and making sites safe where it is safe to do so.
Review of Policy
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, our services or the nature of the risks we manage. The most current version of the policy is made available to employees and customers on request.
By working together and following this policy, Finsbury Park Man and Van aims to ensure that all removal, transport and associated services are carried out as safely and responsibly as possible.
