Health and Safety policy
Soho Man and Van Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Soho Man and Van manages the safety and wellbeing of employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. Our services involve moving, loading and transporting furniture, personal items, business equipment and other goods, often in busy urban environments. We recognise the specific risks associated with removal work and are committed to operating safely, responsibly and in full compliance with applicable health and safety legislation.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Soho Man and Van aims to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our removal activities. Health and safety is an integral part of planning, supervising and delivering every move. We will continually seek to improve our standards by reviewing procedures, learning from experience and encouraging feedback from our teams and customers.
Our key objectives are to provide safe systems of work for manual handling, vehicle use and loading, protect the public during collections and deliveries, and ensure that all staff understand their responsibilities and receive appropriate training.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Soho Man and Van has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources are available to maintain high health and safety standards. This includes providing suitable equipment and vehicles, arranging necessary training, carrying out and reviewing risk assessments, and monitoring compliance with procedures.
Management will regularly review this policy to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice and the nature of our operations. Any significant changes will be communicated to all staff and contractors.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and contractors working on behalf of Soho Man and Van are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions. They must follow company procedures and safe systems of work, use equipment correctly, report hazards, accidents and near misses without delay, and cooperate fully with any training or instruction provided.
No employee is expected to undertake work that they consider unsafe. Concerns about safety must be reported to a supervisor or manager so that they can be addressed before work continues.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before undertaking removal work, Soho Man and Van will assess foreseeable risks related to the property layout, access routes, parking and loading areas, stairways and lifts, and the nature and weight of items to be moved. Where appropriate, site-specific assessments will be conducted, and control measures will be implemented to minimise risks.
Safe working practices are established for tasks such as lifting and carrying, use of trolleys and other moving aids, protecting floors and fixtures, and positioning vehicles safely during loading and unloading. These safe systems of work are communicated to staff and reviewed regularly.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core element of removal work and carries a risk of strains and injuries if not properly controlled. Soho Man and Van provides training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting methods and the use of mechanical aids where appropriate. Staff are instructed to avoid lifting loads that are too heavy or awkward for them and to request additional support when required.
Equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, straps, furniture blankets and other protective and handling aids will be maintained in good condition and used in accordance with training and instructions. Defective or damaged equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of service.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Soho Man and Van is committed to operating vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. Vehicles used for removals will be regularly inspected and maintained so that they remain roadworthy and suitable for the type of work undertaken. Loads must be packed and secured to prevent movement during transit and to protect both goods and vehicle occupants.
Drivers are expected to comply with road traffic laws, follow journey plans and parking instructions, and drive with consideration for other road users and pedestrians. Distractions while driving are to be minimised, and mobile devices must only be used in a safe and legal manner.
Protecting Customers and the Public
Our removal work often takes place in residential streets, commercial premises and shared spaces. Soho Man and Van will take reasonable steps to protect customers, neighbours, passers-by and other contractors from risks arising from loading, unloading and moving items.
Where appropriate, this may include setting up safe walkways, positioning vehicles to avoid obstructing traffic or emergency access, using warning signs or verbal warnings, and securing doors or stairwells while large items are being moved. Staff are instructed to act courteously and to minimise inconvenience to others while maintaining safety as the priority.
Training, Information and Supervision
Soho Man and Van provides induction and ongoing training covering manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, hazard awareness, incident reporting and emergency arrangements. Information on specific risks and control measures is shared with staff before they undertake unfamiliar tasks or work in new environments.
Supervisors will monitor working practices on site to ensure that safety procedures are followed and will provide additional guidance where needed. New or inexperienced staff may be paired with more experienced colleagues until they demonstrate competence and understanding of our safety standards.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, injuries, property damage and near misses arising from our activities must be reported as soon as possible to management. Soho Man and Van will keep appropriate records, investigate incidents to identify causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.
Where required by law, serious incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities. Lessons learned from investigations will be communicated to staff and, where appropriate, reflected in updated procedures, training or equipment changes.
Welfare, Health and Wellbeing
Soho Man and Van recognises that removal work can be physically demanding and occasionally stressful. We encourage staff to take regular breaks as appropriate, stay hydrated, use correct lifting techniques and speak up if they feel fatigued or unwell. No one should continue with physical tasks that they feel may cause injury.
We are committed to treating all staff fairly and respectfully and do not tolerate bullying, harassment or discrimination. Any concerns relating to wellbeing or workplace behaviour should be raised with management so that they can be addressed.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, services or legal requirements. Soho Man and Van is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance and welcomes suggestions from employees and customers on how our practices can be enhanced.
By following this policy and working together, we aim to deliver our removal services efficiently while maintaining a safe environment for everyone involved.
