Bromley Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Bromley 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 removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy explains our approach to managing risks associated with lifting, loading, driving, and working in customers homes, offices and premises.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our main health and safety objectives are to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our operations. We aim to:

Identify and control hazards associated with removal and delivery services.

Provide clear instructions, supervision and training to all staff.

Ensure vehicles, equipment and tools are suitable, checked and properly maintained.

Promote safe manual handling and lifting techniques at all times.

Continuously improve our safety performance through monitoring and review.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Bromley Man and Van holds overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:

Ensuring compliance with applicable health and safety laws and industry best practice.

Carrying out and reviewing risk assessments for typical removal, transport and loading activities.

Providing appropriate resources, equipment and training for safe working.

Investigating incidents, near misses and hazards and taking corrective action.

Consulting with employees on health and safety matters and encouraging feedback.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and regular contractors of Bromley Man and Van share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Every team member must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their work.

Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided.

Use vehicles, tools and lifting equipment correctly and for their intended purpose.

Report accidents, incidents, hazards or unsafe conditions to management without delay.

Cooperate with any investigation or corrective measures introduced.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before starting work, we assess the risks associated with removal or transport tasks. This includes considering access routes, stairways, parking, loading areas, heavy or awkward items, and any customer specific requirements. Where risks are identified, appropriate control measures are put in place, which may include:

Planning additional manpower or equipment for heavy or bulky items.

Using trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling aids where suitable.

Agreeing safe access routes within properties and common areas.

Scheduling work to minimise congestion, obstruction and disruption.

Implementing safe loading and unloading procedures at vehicles.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our activities and presents one of the main risks in removal work. To reduce the risk of injury:

Staff receive training in safe lifting techniques, including assessing load weight, size and stability before moving items.

Two person lifts are used for heavy or awkward furniture and appliances.

Mechanical aids are used wherever reasonably practicable to avoid excessive manual effort.

Items are dismantled, where appropriate and agreed, to make lifting and transit safer.

Breaks and task rotation are used to reduce fatigue where workloads are demanding.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential for providing man and van services and must be operated safely at all times. Bromley Man and Van ensures that:

Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.

Drivers are competent, hold the appropriate licences and follow road safety rules.

Loads are distributed evenly, secured correctly and kept within permitted weight limits.

Parking and loading are carried out in a way that minimises risk to pedestrians and other road users.

Drivers are encouraged to report defects immediately and not to operate unsafe vehicles.

Customer and Public Safety

Our teams often work in and around occupied homes, workplaces and shared spaces. We take care to protect customers, neighbours and the general public by:

Maintaining clear walkways and exits during moves wherever possible.

Using warning where there is a risk of trip hazards, loose packaging or equipment.

Managing doors, lifts and stairways to avoid congestion and obstruction.

Handling customer property carefully to prevent damage and instability.

Maintaining professional conduct and being attentive to potential hazards.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Where appropriate for the task, our teams may use equipment and personal protective equipment to control risks. This may include gloves, safety footwear, high visibility clothing or other items suitable for the environment and conditions. All equipment is:

Selected for its suitability to the job.

Inspected regularly for damage and wear.

Stored correctly to prevent deterioration.

Used in accordance with training and manufacturer instructions.

Training, Information and Supervision

Health and safety training is provided to all new staff and refreshed when necessary. Training covers topics such as manual handling, safe loading, vehicle safety, use of equipment and customer site conduct. Additional instruction or supervision is given for complex moves, unusual environments or higher risk tasks. We also communicate safety information during team briefings and job specific planning.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses that occur during our work must be reported as soon as possible. Bromley Man and Van maintains records of such events and uses them to identify trends and preventive measures. In the event of an emergency, employees must follow company procedures, which may include evacuating the area, calling the emergency services, and making the scene safe where it is safe to do so.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legal requirements or industry guidance. Feedback from staff and customers, as well as lessons learned from incidents and near misses, are used to improve our safety arrangements. Bromley Man and Van is committed to continually developing safer ways of working while delivering efficient, reliable removal and transport services.