Health and Safety Policy for Canary Wharf Man and Van

Canary Wharf Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy outlines our approach to managing risks associated with man and van services, domestic and commercial removals, loading, unloading, and related operations.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health through sensible and proportionate health and safety management. Our core commitments are to:

Identify, assess and control risks associated with removal services and material handling. Provide and maintain vehicles, tools and equipment in safe working condition. Offer appropriate training, instruction and supervision to all staff. Promote a culture where safety is integral to every job. Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing and reviewing this Health and Safety policy and ensuring that adequate resources are available to maintain safe operations. This includes:

Carrying out regular risk assessments for removal activities, loading areas and storage locations. Developing safe systems of work for packing, lifting, carrying, loading and driving. Ensuring that vehicles used for man and van services are inspected, maintained and operated safely. Providing staff with initial and refresher safety training relevant to their roles. Investigating accidents and near-misses, and putting in place measures to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or fail to do. Employees of Canary Wharf Man and Van are expected to:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided. Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately. Avoid taking shortcuts that could compromise safety during moves or transport. Report hazards, incidents, near-misses and unsafe conditions to management without delay. Cooperate with management in the implementation of this Health and Safety policy.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before each removal job begins, we assess key risks relating to access, parking, lifting, loading and transit. Factors such as stairways, narrow corridors, uneven surfaces, heavy or awkward items, weather conditions and traffic environments are considered.

Where significant risks are identified, we adopt control measures such as adjusted staffing levels, use of handling aids, revised access routes or changes to scheduling. All practical steps are taken to minimise the likelihood of injury or property damage while maintaining efficient and professional service.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a major element of removal work. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, Canary Wharf Man and Van:

Provides training on correct lifting techniques, team lifts and load assessment. Encourages staff to plan lifts, check routes and clear obstacles before moving items. Supplies handling aids such as trolleys, dollies and straps where appropriate. Requires staff to refuse unsafe loads that exceed individual capability or equipment limits.

Equipment used in the course of removals is checked regularly, and defective items are removed from service until repaired or replaced.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

The safety of our drivers, passengers, customers and other road users is a priority. Our approach to vehicle and driving safety includes:

Maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy condition through planned inspections and servicing. Ensuring drivers hold appropriate licences and are competent and medically fit to drive. Setting safe loading limits and securing loads to prevent movement in transit. Planning routes, as far as practicable, to minimise congestion, difficult access and unnecessary risk. Encouraging safe driving behaviour, including compliance with speed limits and traffic regulations.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in and around customer homes, offices and public spaces. To protect customers and the public, we:

Take care to keep access routes as clear as possible during moves. Use appropriate warning and guidance to alert people to removal activity. Protect floors, walls and fixtures from damage where reasonably practicable. Avoid leaving tools, packing materials or debris where they may cause trips or falls. Work respectfully and safely in all environments, recognising that conditions may vary from site to site.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive information on this Health and Safety policy and relevant safe working procedures as part of their induction, and further training is provided as needed. Training may cover manual handling, vehicle safety, working on stairs, use of handling equipment, and the correct approach to assessing and communicating risks on site.

Supervision is provided in proportion to the experience and competence of the team. Less experienced staff are supported and monitored until they are able to work safely and independently.

Accident, Incident and Near-Miss Reporting

Canary Wharf Man and Van maintains a system for recording accidents, incidents and near-misses. All employees must report any event that has led, or could have led, to injury or property damage. These reports are reviewed so we can learn from them and improve our procedures, training and equipment where necessary.

Health and Safety Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our activities, equipment or external requirements. Updates are communicated to staff, and revised practices are incorporated into daily operations.

By following this policy and working together, Canary Wharf Man and Van aims to deliver reliable removal services while safeguarding the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our work.