Shoreditch Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Shoreditch Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, handling, transportation and related services.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and disruption to our services by identifying, assessing and controlling risks associated with our work. Health and safety considerations are an integral part of our planning and daily operations, from initial booking through to completion of each move.

Management will provide direction, resources and support to ensure that health and safety standards are maintained and continually improved. Employees at all levels are expected to cooperate and take responsibility for working safely and following established procedures.

Management Responsibilities

Company management is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that health and safety is treated as a core business priority. This includes:

Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out for all key activities, including lifting and carrying, loading and unloading vehicles, operating equipment and working at customers premises. Providing appropriate training, information and supervision to employees and contractors so they can perform their tasks safely and competently. Supplying and maintaining suitable equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment so that tasks can be carried out safely and efficiently. Monitoring performance, investigating accidents, near misses and incidents, and taking corrective and preventive action where necessary. Reviewing this policy on a regular basis and updating it when required by changes in legislation, operations or best practice.

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 their actions or omissions. Employees are expected to:

Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided by the company. Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly and report any defects or issues immediately. Avoid taking shortcuts or engaging in unsafe practices, especially when lifting, carrying or operating equipment. Report hazards, near misses, accidents or concerns to a supervisor as soon as possible. Cooperate fully with any investigation, inspection or review aimed at improving safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will maintain a programme of risk assessments that covers our core removal and transport activities. These assessments will identify significant hazards and specify control measures to reduce risk to an acceptable level.

Safe systems of work will be developed for tasks such as manual handling of furniture and boxes, stair work, use of trolleys, vehicle loading and unloading, use of straps and securing devices, and working in confined or shared spaces such as loading bays and communal entrances. These procedures will be communicated to staff and periodically reviewed.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key part of our operations and a major focus of our safety management. We are committed to reducing the risk of injury by:

Providing training in correct lifting techniques, team lifting, load assessment and planning of routes before moving items. Using handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and furniture blankets wherever practical to minimise strain. Assessing heavy or awkward items in advance and planning additional resources, equipment or specialist support where needed. Instructing staff to refuse to move items where they believe it cannot be done safely with the resources and equipment available.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition and are suitable for the loads they carry. Drivers are required to:

Hold the appropriate valid licence and be medically fit to drive. Carry out basic pre use checks and report any defects or safety concerns immediately. Secure loads properly to prevent movement during transit and to protect both the goods and other road users. Comply with speed limits, parking regulations and road traffic laws. Avoid using handheld devices while driving and follow company guidance on safe route planning and journey times.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When operating at customer homes, offices or shared buildings, we will take reasonable steps to protect both the customer and the public. This may include:

Planning safe access routes, particularly on stairs and in narrow corridors or shared spaces. Using warning signs or verbal warnings where there is a risk to others from moving large items. Taking care to avoid damage to property, fixtures and fittings, and reporting any incidents promptly. Ensuring that exits, fire doors and emergency routes are kept clear whenever possible.

Training, Information and Supervision

All new employees will receive an induction that includes key health and safety information relevant to our services. Ongoing training will be provided in areas such as manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, incident reporting and customer care related to safety.

Supervisors and team leaders will monitor work practices on site and intervene where unsafe behaviours or conditions are identified. Refresher training will be arranged where necessary, particularly following an incident or a change in procedures.

Accident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to the responsible person. Accurate records will be kept and used to identify trends, recurring issues and opportunities for improvement.

Where appropriate, investigations will be carried out to establish root causes and implement corrective actions. Lessons learned will be shared with staff through briefings, updated procedures or additional training.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to the services provided by Shoreditch Man and Van. Changes may be made to reflect updates in legislation, operational changes, new equipment or improved industry practices.

We encourage feedback from employees and customers on health and safety matters, and we are committed to continuous improvement to maintain a safe and reliable removals service.