Barnes Man and Van Health and Safety Policy

Barnes Man and Van is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety for our employees, customers, visitors, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. Our objective is to prevent injury, protect property, and minimise risks before, during, and after every move.

This policy applies to all operations carried out by Barnes Man and Van, including domestic and commercial removals, packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and any related services.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our key health and safety objectives are to provide and maintain:

A safe and healthy working environment for all employees and contractors. Safe systems of work for all removal and transportation activities. Safe handling, lifting, loading, and unloading of furniture, equipment, and personal belongings. Adequate information, instruction, supervision, and training to ensure staff and contractors are competent to carry out their duties safely. Continuous improvement of our health and safety performance through regular review and incident learning.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Barnes Man and Van accepts ultimate responsibility for health and safety. We will ensure that:

Health and safety considerations are integrated into planning and decision-making for all removal and transport work. Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out, documented where required, and reviewed regularly. Appropriate resources are allocated to implement and maintain safe working practices, equipment, and training. All vehicles, tools, and handling equipment used in removals are maintained in a safe condition and inspected regularly. Accidents, incidents, and near misses are recorded, investigated, and used to improve procedures and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions or omissions. Employees and contractors are required to:

Follow all health and safety instructions, procedures, and safe systems of work provided by Barnes Man and Van. Use vehicles, tools, and handling equipment correctly and only for their intended purpose. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment where required, such as safety footwear and gloves. Report any hazards, defects, accidents, or near misses to management without delay. Co operate with management on all health and safety matters, including training, risk assessments, and audits. Refrain from any behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers, or members of the public.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out proportionate risk assessments for our moving and transport activities, including:

Manual handling of heavy or awkward items, such as furniture, appliances, and office equipment. Safe access and egress at collection and delivery locations, including stairs, corridors, lifts, and external paths. Vehicle movements, parking, and loading in residential streets and commercial areas. Use of removal equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, blankets, ramps, and lifting aids. Weather conditions, lighting, and other environmental factors that could affect the safety of our work.

Based on these assessments, Barnes Man and Van implements safe systems of work, communicates them to staff, and reviews them regularly to ensure they remain effective and relevant.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

The nature of removal work involves regular lifting and carrying of items of varying size and weight. To minimise risk of injury and damage to property, we will:

Provide manual handling training appropriate to the work carried out by our staff. Encourage team lifting, mechanical assistance, and the use of handling equipment wherever reasonably practicable. Avoid single person lifts of very heavy or bulky items unless they have been properly assessed and can be done safely. Ensure that ramps, trolleys, straps, and other moving aids are used correctly and inspected regularly.

Employees must follow all guidance on safe lifting techniques and use of removal equipment, and must not attempt to lift or move items that they believe cannot be handled safely.

Vehicles, Driving, and Road Safety

Our vehicles are central to our moving operations and are maintained to a safe and roadworthy standard. Barnes Man and Van will:

Ensure that all vehicles used for removals and transport are regularly inspected and maintained by competent persons. Confirm that drivers hold the appropriate licences and are competent to operate the vehicles they are assigned. Promote safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, careful manoeuvring in residential and commercial areas, and consideration for other road users. Manage loading and securing of items to reduce the risk of movement, damage, or instability while in transit.

Drivers must carry out basic pre use checks, report any defects, and drive in a manner that is safe, considerate, and compliant with road traffic requirements.

Customer and Public Safety

Barnes Man and Van takes seriously its responsibility to protect customers, their property, and members of the public. We will:

Plan moves to minimise disruption and hazards in shared spaces such as hallways, entrances, and car parks. Keep walkways as clear as reasonably practicable and highlight trip or slip hazards during loading and unloading. Take care to prevent damage to property, fixtures, and fittings by using appropriate protective materials and handling methods. Communicate clearly with customers regarding any access restrictions, risks, or safety requirements identified before or during the move.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We recognise that competent, well informed staff are essential to safe removal operations. Barnes Man and Van will:

Provide induction training to new staff, covering general health and safety expectations and removal specific risks. Offer role specific training, including manual handling, use of equipment, and vehicle operation where needed. Keep staff informed of updated procedures, new risk controls, and lessons learnt from incidents. Ensure that supervisors monitor working practices on site and address unsafe behaviour or conditions promptly.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Response

All accidents, incidents, and near misses occurring during removal and transport work must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will:

Record incidents accurately and investigate the causes. Take prompt action to correct unsafe conditions or practices identified. Provide or obtain appropriate first aid assistance where required. Review this policy and associated procedures following any serious incident, making improvements where necessary.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, sufficient, and effective in light of changes to our business activities, legislation, best practice, or incident experience. Where improvements are identified, we will implement them in a timely manner and communicate relevant changes to staff and contractors.

All employees are encouraged to contribute suggestions for improving safety and to raise any concerns with management. Working together, we can maintain a safe, professional, and reliable removal service for every customer.