Greenwich Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Greenwich Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public affected by our removal services. Our goal is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by managing health and safety risks in a sensible, proportionate, and consistent manner.

This Health and Safety policy applies to all activities carried out by Greenwich Man and Van, including removals, packing, loading and unloading, transport, storage handling, and any associated services carried out at customers premises, on the road, or at any other location where we operate.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to:

Identify, assess, and control risks associated with removals and transport activities.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, and working systems.

Ensure employees receive appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision.

Promote safe manual handling and lifting practices at all times.

Minimise the risk of damage to customers property and to third-party property.

Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards.

Roles and Responsibilities

Health and safety is a shared responsibility across the business. Everyone working for or with Greenwich Man and Van is expected to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Greenwich Man and Van will:

Provide clear leadership and direction on health and safety matters.

Ensure that risk assessments are carried out and regularly reviewed.

Provide safe equipment, including vehicles, trolleys, lifting aids, and protective equipment.

Ensure employees receive necessary induction and ongoing training relevant to removal work.

Monitor health and safety performance and investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses.

Review this policy periodically to ensure it remains effective and up to date.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, crew members, and drivers must:

Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided.

Use equipment, tools, and vehicles only for their intended purpose and in a safe manner.

Wear any personal protective equipment provided when required.

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

Cooperate with management in implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Greenwich Man and Van will identify hazards and assess risks in relation to removal and transport activities. This includes risks associated with manual handling, trips and falls, vehicle movements, loading and unloading, working in confined areas such as stairwells, and working in customer homes or business premises.

Safe systems of work are developed and communicated to staff to reduce these risks, including:

Planning each removal job to determine access routes, parking arrangements, and likely lifting challenges.

Ensuring that loads are of manageable size and weight wherever possible.

Using suitable lifting aids, trolleys, and equipment when appropriate.

Ensuring vehicles are parked and loaded safely, with clear walkways and stable loads.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling and lifting are central to removal activities and are a key focus of our safety arrangements.

Greenwich Man and Van will:

Provide manual handling training to all relevant staff, covering correct lifting techniques, team lifting, and safe body positioning.

Encourage staff to assess each lift before starting work, including weight, shape, and route.

Require team lifting for heavy or awkward items such as large furniture, appliances, and bulky boxes.

Discourage staff from attempting lifts that they believe to be unsafe or beyond their capability.

Use mechanical aids where reasonably practicable to reduce the strain of manual work.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles and drivers are vital to safe and efficient removal operations. Greenwich Man and Van will ensure that all vehicles used for removals are maintained in a safe, roadworthy condition.

Drivers and vehicle operators must:

Carry out basic daily safety checks before starting work, including tyres, lights, and load security.

Ensure all loads are correctly balanced, secured, and stable prior to departure.

Drive in accordance with road traffic laws and adjust driving style to prevailing conditions.

Use safe parking and unloading practices to protect pedestrians, customers, and property.

Report any vehicle defects or incidents immediately so they can be addressed without delay.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Many of our activities take place in customers homes, business premises, communal areas, and on public roads. Greenwich Man and Van is committed to minimising disruption and protecting anyone who may be affected by our work.

Where reasonably practicable our teams will:

Keep walkways and access routes clear of trip hazards such as boxes, tools, and packing materials.

Use caution when moving items around tight corners, staircases, corridors, and doorways.

Plan loading and unloading so that the risk to pedestrians and other road users is reduced.

Take care to protect floors, walls, and fixtures to reduce the chance of damage and related hazards.

Accident, Incident and Near-Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, damage, and near-miss incidents related to our work must be reported to management as soon as possible.

Greenwich Man and Van will:

Record significant incidents and investigate their causes.

Identify any underlying issues or trends and implement corrective actions.

Review risk assessments, methods of work, and training content following serious incidents.

Encourage open reporting of near misses so that potential problems can be addressed before they result in harm.

Training, Competence and Supervision

Greenwich Man and Van recognises that competent, well-trained staff are essential to safe operations. We will ensure that employees receive appropriate induction training, including health and safety expectations, safe lifting techniques, and vehicle and equipment use.

Additional training will be provided where roles or equipment change, or where new risks are identified. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring safe working practices on site and correcting unsafe behaviour.

Policy Review and Communication

This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary, for example when there are changes to work practices, equipment, or legislation affecting removal activities. The policy will be made available to employees and, on request, to customers and other interested parties so they can understand our approach to managing health and safety.

By following this policy, Greenwich Man and Van aims to deliver safe, reliable, and professional removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our operations.