Health and Safety Policy for Removal Van Hire

This Health and Safety Policy sets out how our removal van hire services are managed to protect customers, employees, contractors, visitors, and the general public. We are committed to maintaining safe working practices across all home and office moves within our service area, from initial loading through to transport and final delivery.

Our Commitment to Health and Safety

We recognise our legal and moral responsibility to provide a working environment that is, as far as reasonably practicable, safe and without risk to health. This applies to every aspect of our removal operations, including driving, lifting, packing, loading and unloading, route planning, and on-site activities at residential and commercial locations.

Senior management is responsible for implementing this policy, providing adequate resources, and reviewing performance. All employees and contractors share responsibility for working safely, following agreed procedures, and reporting concerns immediately.

Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all employees, temporary workers, subcontracted drivers and porters, and any person engaged in removal, storage, or associated activities on behalf of our company. It covers all removal vans, equipment, and locations where our services are provided, including private homes, offices, retail premises, storage facilities, and shared access areas such as car parks or communal hallways.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out regular risk assessments for typical removal activities and for specific jobs where conditions require it, such as restricted access properties, upper-floor moves, or heavy and awkward items. The findings of these assessments are used to develop safe systems of work, including recommended staffing levels, equipment requirements, and safe lifting techniques.

Our teams are briefed on particular risks before starting a job, such as narrow staircases, low ceilings, uneven ground, or limited parking and loading zones commonly encountered within our operating area. Whenever conditions change, the team leader reassesses risks and adapts working methods to maintain safety.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

All removal vans are maintained in safe, roadworthy condition through scheduled servicing, pre-use checks, and prompt repair of any faults. Drivers must complete daily walk-around inspections, including tyres, lights, mirrors, fluid levels, and load securing points.

We require all drivers to hold appropriate licences, follow road traffic laws, and adhere to speed limits and parking regulations across our service routes. Fatigue is managed through sensible scheduling and rest breaks, particularly on long-distance moves or busy multi-drop days.

Loads are secured using appropriate restraints to prevent shifting during transit. Weight limits are respected at all times, and vans are loaded to maintain stability and even weight distribution.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Lifting and moving heavy or bulky items is a core part of removal work and a key focus of our safety programme. All staff receive training in safe manual handling, including the use of correct posture, team lifting, and avoidance of twisting or overreaching.

Where practicable, we use handling aids such as sack trucks, lifting straps, furniture dollies, and ramps to reduce strain and risk of injury. Items that are too heavy or awkward to move safely by hand must be reassessed, and additional staff or equipment used before any attempt is made to move them.

Staff are instructed never to attempt lifts beyond their capability and to speak up immediately if they believe a task cannot be carried out safely.

Working at Height and Access Safety

When work involves stairs, steps, loading ramps, or vehicle tailgates, particular care is taken to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Access routes are kept clear of obstructions, and lighting is checked to ensure good visibility, especially in early morning or evening moves.

Where items are passed from balconies or upper floors, or where specialist lifting equipment is used, this must be planned in advance, supervised by a competent person, and carried out in accordance with a specific risk assessment.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work respectfully and safely within customer homes, offices, and communal areas. Protective materials such as floor covers and corner protectors may be used to reduce damage and trip risks. Doors and access routes are managed to minimise hazards during loading and unloading.

Care is taken to protect members of the public, neighbours, and visitors near loading areas. Where necessary, our staff will implement temporary controls such as cones or verbal warnings to keep people away from moving vehicles and lifted items.

Training, Supervision and Competence

All employees receive an induction covering our health and safety expectations, emergency procedures, reporting lines, and safe working practices specific to removal van hire. Ongoing training is provided in manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, and customer site awareness.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring standards on site, correcting unsafe behaviour, and ensuring that new or less experienced staff are supported and instructed appropriately.

Accident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and significant incidents must be reported immediately to the team leader or manager. Records are kept so that trends can be identified and lessons learned. We investigate incidents to determine root causes and introduce corrective actions, which may include changes to equipment, procedures, or training.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We expect staff to present for work in a fit state, free from the influence of alcohol or illegal substances, and to inform their manager of any medical condition that might affect their ability to work safely. Suitable welfare arrangements, including access to drinking water and rest breaks, are provided as part of normal scheduling.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where necessary, personal protective equipment such as safety footwear, gloves, and high-visibility clothing is provided and must be worn as instructed. Staff are responsible for looking after their equipment and reporting loss or damage so that replacements can be supplied promptly.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur in our operations, legal requirements, or industry best practice. We encourage feedback from employees and customers on safety matters and use this to support continuous improvement in our removal van hire services.

By following this policy and working together, we aim to ensure that every move within our service area is carried out efficiently, professionally, and with the highest regard for the safety of everyone involved.