Health and Safety policy

Pimlico Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Pimlico Man and Van is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public affected by our activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out how we manage risks associated with removals, transportation, loading, unloading and related services.

We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing appropriate control measures. Health and Safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver every move, from small man and van jobs to larger household and office removals.

Legal Compliance and Responsibilities

Pimlico Man and Van complies with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry guidance relating to removal and transport operations. We keep our policy and procedures under review and update them in line with changes in law, best practice and our operational experience.

Overall responsibility for Health and Safety lies with the company management, who ensure that adequate resources are made available. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy on a day-to-day basis and for promoting a positive safety culture during every job.

All employees and contractors have a duty to work safely, follow instructions and cooperate with the company to meet legal and policy requirements. They must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of colleagues, customers and the public who may be affected by their actions.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for our removal and transport activities. These may be generic for routine work or specific to a particular property, item, route or customer requirement where risks are higher or unusual circumstances apply.

Risk assessments cover, where relevant, manual handling, lifting of heavy or awkward items, use of moving equipment, vehicle loading and unloading, property access, stairs and tight spaces, working in public areas, and environmental factors such as weather and lighting. Control measures may include the use of appropriate equipment, adequate staffing levels, safe systems of work and planning of routes and timings.

Safe working procedures are communicated to staff and are expected to be followed at all times. We encourage staff to report any new hazards or concerns so that we can review and, where necessary, revise our risk control measures.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key element of removal and transport work, and we place particular emphasis on avoiding and reducing the risks of musculoskeletal injuries. Our approach includes planning lifts, using handling equipment where practical, and ensuring that loads are within safe limits for the individuals involved.

Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, including correct posture, team lifting, assessing load weight and stability, and recognising when it is unsafe to proceed without assistance or equipment. Where items are especially heavy, fragile or valuable, additional precautions and planning are undertaken to protect both staff and property.

Vehicles, Equipment and Maintenance

Pimlico Man and Van ensures that vehicles used for removal and transport services are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Routine checks are carried out, and any defects are reported immediately and rectified before the vehicle is used for work.

We provide suitable equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, blankets and protective coverings to support safe handling and transit of goods. Equipment is inspected regularly and replaced when damaged or no longer safe for use.

Drivers are responsible for operating vehicles in a safe and courteous manner, following road traffic laws and company procedures. They must ensure that loads are correctly distributed, secured and within any weight limits applicable to the vehicle and route.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide appropriate Health and Safety training and information to all staff based on their role and responsibilities. This may include induction training, manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, working at customers’ premises and emergency procedures.

Training is refreshed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to work practices or equipment. Supervisors and experienced staff provide on-the-job guidance to ensure that safety standards are applied consistently in real working conditions.

We maintain records of training and competency where relevant to safety critical tasks, and we expect all staff to keep their knowledge up to date and to ask for clarification where they are unsure of the correct and safe way to proceed.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our work often takes place at customer premises, in shared buildings and in public spaces. We take care to minimise disturbance and hazards to customers, neighbours and the public while carrying out removals and deliveries.

Where possible, we plan access routes to avoid congestion and trip hazards, and we use appropriate signage or verbal warnings when moving large items through shared areas. Staff are instructed to keep walkways as clear as reasonably practicable and to store equipment and items safely during the move.

We respect customer property and take reasonable steps to prevent damage to buildings, fixtures, fittings and belongings. Where specific risks are identified, such as fragile surfaces or restricted access, we discuss these with the customer and agree suitable precautions before work starts.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and hazardous situations must be reported promptly to management. We investigate these reports to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Employees are briefed on what to do in case of injury, fire or other emergencies, including raising the alarm, contacting the appropriate emergency services and securing the area where it is safe to do so. First aid arrangements are made in line with the nature and scale of our activities.

Consultation, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Pimlico Man and Van believes that effective Health and Safety management is a shared responsibility. We consult with staff on matters that affect their safety and encourage feedback on how we can improve our practices. Concerns can be raised directly with supervisors or management without fear of reprisal.

We monitor our Health and Safety performance through inspections, incident analysis and ongoing review of our risk assessments and procedures. This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains suitable, sufficient and effective for the type of removal and transport services we provide.

By following this Health and Safety policy and working together, Pimlico Man and Van aims to deliver a reliable, efficient and safe service for every move.