Health and Safety policy
Sutton Man and Van Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and procedures Sutton Man and Van follows to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public. As a professional removal company, we are committed to planning and delivering every move in a safe, responsible, and legally compliant manner.
Our Health and Safety Commitments
Sutton Man and Van aims to provide a safe working environment for all removal and transport activities. We will identify, manage, and reduce health and safety risks, while continually improving our standards and performance. We expect all staff, contractors, and partners to co-operate with this policy and follow safe working practices at all times.
The company will review this policy on a regular basis and update it when required by changes in legislation, best practice, or operational procedures.
Responsibilities and Management
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management. Management is responsible for:
Ensuring that safe systems of work are developed, implemented, and maintained for all removal activities, including packing, loading, transport, and unloading.
Providing suitable resources for health and safety, including training, equipment, and supervision.
Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out for typical removal tasks and for any non-routine or higher risk work.
Monitoring health and safety performance and taking corrective action where standards are not met.
Employees are responsible for:
Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Following training, instructions, and safety procedures exactly as provided.
Using equipment properly and reporting any defects, hazards, accidents, or near misses to management without delay.
Co-operating fully with health and safety initiatives and not interfering with or misusing anything provided for safety purposes.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Sutton Man and Van conducts risk assessments for our key activities, including domestic and commercial removals, packing services, and the transport and handling of furniture and other items. These assessments identify significant hazards and specify control measures designed to reduce risk to an acceptable level.
Safe working practices include, but are not limited to:
Planning each move to ensure safe access, appropriate parking, and clear routes for carrying items.
Assessing the weight, size, and fragility of items before lifting or moving them.
Using correct manual handling techniques and requesting additional help or equipment when required.
Using removal equipment such as trolleys, straps, blankets, and ramps safely and in accordance with training.
Maintaining good housekeeping, keeping walkways clear, and minimising tripping, slipping, and falling hazards.
Manual Handling and Musculoskeletal Safety
Manual handling is a significant part of our work and is treated as a high priority risk area. To manage this, Sutton Man and Van will:
Provide manual handling training and guidance on safe lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling techniques.
Encourage team lifting for heavy or awkward items and the use of handling aids wherever practicable.
Discourage lone handling of large, bulky, or unstable items.
Require staff to assess each lift before starting, taking into account the load, the individual, the task, and the environment.
Promote reporting of discomfort, strain, or injury at an early stage so that work methods can be reviewed and adjusted where needed.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to our removal services and must be operated safely at all times. Sutton Man and Van will:
Ensure vehicles are roadworthy, maintained, and inspected regularly.
Require drivers to hold the correct and valid licence for the class of vehicle they operate.
Expect drivers to comply with all road traffic laws, speed limits, and parking regulations and to drive courteously and defensively.
Ensure loads are correctly distributed, secured, and covered where appropriate to prevent movement or loss of items during transit.
Discourage the use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving, unless hands-free use is legally compliant and safe.
Equipment, Tools, and Personal Protective Equipment
Sutton Man and Van will provide suitable equipment and tools for removal work and ensure they are maintained in good condition. Where personal protective equipment is required, such as gloves, safety footwear, or high-visibility clothing, it will be provided and must be used as instructed.
Employees must check equipment before use, report damage or defects immediately, and remove unsafe items from service until they are repaired or replaced.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our teams frequently work in customers homes, offices, and shared buildings. We will take all reasonable steps to avoid damage, disruption, and risk to occupants and visitors. This includes:
Planning the safest routes for moving items and communicating with customers about any temporary restrictions or hazards.
Using protective coverings where needed to prevent slips and damage.
Being particularly careful in shared corridors, stairwells, and entrances to keep routes as clear as reasonably practicable.
Managing loading and unloading activities to minimise obstruction on pavements, driveways, and access roads.
Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses
All accidents, incidents, and near misses related to our work will be recorded and investigated where appropriate. The aim is to understand what happened, prevent a recurrence, and improve our health and safety performance.
Employees must report all injuries, however minor, and any incident that had the potential to cause harm or damage. Management will take these reports seriously and implement corrective or preventive measures as required.
Training, Communication, and Continuous Improvement
Sutton Man and Van recognises that effective training and communication are essential to safe operations. The company will ensure that staff receive appropriate induction and ongoing training covering manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, and general health and safety awareness.
We encourage staff to raise health and safety concerns and suggestions for improvement. Health and safety performance and procedures will be reviewed regularly so that we can maintain a safe and reliable removal service for all customers.
