Health and Safety Policy for Man and Van Office Removals

This Health and Safety policy sets out how our man and van office removals service manages risks, protects our clients, and provides a safe working environment for our team. Our aim is to complete every office move safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to your business operations.

Our Commitment to Health and Safety

We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for employees, contractors, clients, and visitors. Health and safety are integral to our planning and delivery of office removals, including packing, loading, transport, unloading, and furniture positioning at your new premises.

We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and follow recognised industry best practice for manual handling, transport safety, and office relocation work.

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this policy, providing appropriate resources, and reviewing performance regularly. Managers and supervisors ensure that staff are trained, equipped, and supervised to work safely on office removals jobs.

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow all safe systems of work, use equipment correctly, and report hazards, accidents, or near misses without delay.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Prior to each office removal, we carry out a risk assessment appropriate to the size and complexity of the job. This may include an assessment of access routes, floor levels, staircases, lifts, parking arrangements, and any site-specific hazards such as restricted access or shared entrances.

Where required, we develop and communicate a method statement that sets out the sequence of work, staffing levels, and any control measures such as use of trolleys, floor protection, or temporary barriers. This planning ensures that both our staff and your employees are aware of how the move will be conducted safely.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a significant part of man and van office removals. To reduce the risk of injury, our staff receive training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and the correct use of handling equipment.

We assess the weight, shape, and stability of items before moving them. Heavy or bulky items such as filing cabinets, desks, and office equipment are moved using appropriate tools, including dollies, sack trucks, furniture skates, and lifting straps where suitable. No employee is expected to lift or carry loads that exceed safe limits.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are checked regularly. Drivers hold the appropriate licences and are trained in safe loading, securing of loads, and defensive driving.

Loads are distributed evenly and secured using straps and protective materials to prevent movement during transit. Drivers plan routes to minimise risk, taking into account access restrictions, loading zones, and local traffic conditions to support safe and timely completion of office moves.

Site Safety and Public Protection

When working at client premises or in public areas, we take steps to protect other building users and the public. This can include using signs, cones, or verbal instructions to warn of moving operations, and keeping walkways, stairwells, and entrances as clear as possible.

We coordinate with building management or facilities teams where necessary, particularly in busy office locations, to agree access times, lift use, and segregation of work areas to reduce the chance of accidents.

Equipment, Tools, and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide and maintain appropriate removal equipment, including trolleys, hand trucks, protective blankets, and securing straps. All equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if found to be defective.

Personal protective equipment is supplied where required by the task or environment. This may include safety footwear, protective gloves, and high-visibility clothing for loading and unloading near traffic or in shared loading bays.

Office Furniture, IT and Electrical Items

Office removals often involve desks, chairs, storage units, computers, printers, and other electrical equipment. We ensure that items are disconnected by competent persons before handling and do not attempt work that should only be done by qualified electricians or IT specialists.

We take particular care when moving sensitive equipment and heavy cabinets to avoid instability, tipping, or damage to floors, walls, and doorways. Where appropriate, items are dismantled into manageable sections and reassembled at the new location following the manufacturer’s guidance.

Housekeeping and Slips, Trips and Falls

Good housekeeping is essential during office removals. We aim to keep corridors, stairs, and exits clear of packaging, equipment, and waste materials. Work areas are kept as tidy as possible throughout the move.

We identify hazards such as loose cables, uneven floors, wet surfaces, and low lighting, and take reasonable steps to control them. This may involve rerouting cables, using temporary covers, or adjusting the sequence of tasks to reduce exposure to risk.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive induction training on health and safety, safe driving, manual handling, and our procedures for office removals. Additional task-specific training is provided where required, such as use of specialist handling equipment or working in complex multi-floor buildings.

Supervisors monitor working practices on site to ensure that procedures are followed and that any unsafe behaviour or conditions are addressed promptly. We maintain good communication with clients throughout the move so that any concerns can be raised and dealt with immediately.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

We record all accidents, injuries, and near misses related to our man and van office removals. Incidents are investigated to understand the root causes and to identify any improvements in training, equipment, or procedures.

This policy is reviewed regularly and updated when required to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, or the nature of the services we provide. Feedback from clients and staff is welcomed as part of our commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety performance.

Policy Review and Availability

This Health and Safety policy is communicated to all employees and is available to clients on request. It forms part of our overall commitment to providing a professional, reliable, and safe man and van service for office removals in our operating area.