Pimlico Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Pimlico Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, contractors, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to preventing accidents, work-related ill health, and damage to property during moving, loading, unloading, and transport activities.

Policy Objectives

Our primary objectives are to protect people, property, and the environment while delivering professional removal services. We aim to:

Identify and control hazards associated with lifting, carrying, driving, access to properties, and handling of goods.

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

Provide appropriate training, information, and supervision for all team members.

Promote a positive safety culture focused on prevention, reporting, and continuous improvement.

Ensure that vehicles, tools, and equipment used in our operations are maintained in a safe condition.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Pimlico Man and Van is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring it is effectively communicated and understood. Management will:

Conduct and regularly review risk assessments for key activities such as lifting and carrying, use of trolleys, vehicle loading, and access to properties.

Provide staff with clear instructions, safety procedures, and method statements where required.

Ensure that all vehicles and equipment are suitable for their intended purpose and maintained in good working order.

Monitor health and safety performance, investigate incidents, and implement corrective actions.

Review this policy periodically to ensure it remains current and effective.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and operatives working on behalf of Pimlico Man and Van share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided by the company.

Use vehicles, equipment, and personal protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately.

Report accidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions promptly so that action can be taken.

Cooperate fully with management in implementing health and safety measures and initiatives.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Pimlico Man and Van carries out risk assessments for removal and transport activities, including domestic moves, commercial moves, short-distance transfers, and loading and unloading at different property types. These assessments consider:

Manual handling risks such as lifting heavy or awkward items, carrying up and down stairs, and moving goods through tight spaces.

Slips, trips, and falls arising from uneven ground, wet surfaces, poor lighting, or cluttered areas.

Vehicle-related risks including loading, securing loads, reversing, and working near traffic.

Environmental factors such as weather conditions and safe access to buildings.

These risk assessments inform safe systems of work, which may include planning access routes, using handling aids, team lifting arrangements, and setting clear responsibilities for each team member on a job.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removals service, and we take particular care to prevent injuries. We will:

Provide training on safe lifting techniques, posture, and team coordination.

Encourage the use of handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, and straps whenever practical.

Plan the handling of large, heavy, or fragile items, ensuring sufficient personnel and appropriate equipment are available.

Avoid unnecessary lifting by using mechanical assistance or adjusting access routes where possible.

Employees must follow manual handling guidance, avoid taking unnecessary risks, and seek assistance when an item is too heavy or awkward to move safely alone.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are central to providing a reliable man and van service, and their safe operation is essential. Pimlico Man and Van will:

Ensure drivers are competent, appropriately licensed, and aware of their responsibilities.

Keep vehicles in a roadworthy condition through regular inspections, servicing, and defect reporting.

Implement safe loading practices to prevent shifting loads, overloading, and vehicle instability.

Encourage defensive driving, adherence to speed limits, and compliance with traffic regulations.

Drivers and crew must conduct pre-use checks, report defects, secure loads correctly, and avoid driving while tired or unfit for duty.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams frequently work in and around customer homes, workplaces, shared entrances, and public areas. We take steps to minimise disruption and protect those nearby by:

Assessing access routes and identifying hazards at the start of each job.

Using safe systems for moving goods through stairwells, corridors, lifts, and doorways.

Keeping walkways as clear as reasonably practicable and managing trip hazards such as ramps or equipment.

Positioning vehicles and loading areas to reduce risk to pedestrians and other road users.

Being courteous and communicating clearly with customers and others who may be affected by our work.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Pimlico Man and Van provides appropriate health and safety training for employees based on their role and responsibilities. This may include:

Induction training covering company safety procedures and emergency arrangements.

Manual handling and lifting techniques specific to removal operations.

Vehicle safety, load securing, and safe driving practices.

Use, inspection, and reporting of equipment and handling aids.

Supervision is provided, particularly for new or less experienced operatives, to ensure that safe working practices are understood and followed.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

We encourage open reporting of all accidents, near misses, and hazardous situations. Pimlico Man and Van will:

Record and investigate incidents to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Review risk assessments and procedures in light of incident findings.

Consult with employees on practical improvements to safety arrangements.

Use feedback from staff and customers to refine our approach to health and safety.

Policy Review and Availability

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, or our working practices. The latest version is made available to employees and is provided to customers or other interested parties on request. All staff are expected to familiarise themselves with this policy and to support Pimlico Man and Van in maintaining high standards of health and safety across all removal and transport services.