Health and Safety policy
Bow Man and Van Health and Safety Policy
Bow Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and man and van operations. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property during every move.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to conduct all removal and transportation activities in a manner that protects people, property and the environment. We aim to identify and control risks associated with lifting, carrying, loading, driving and working in and around homes, buildings and public spaces. Health and safety is integral to our service quality and is given equal priority with other business objectives.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Bow Man and Van is responsible for implementing and maintaining this policy. This includes:
Ensuring suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for typical removals, specialist items and unusual access conditions. Providing appropriate equipment, vehicles and protective gear for staff. Ensuring employees are competent and receive regular training in safe lifting techniques, use of equipment, road safety and incident reporting. Monitoring performance, investigating accidents or near misses and taking corrective actions where required. Reviewing this policy periodically and updating it in line with changes to our operations, best practice and legislation.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to work safely and to look after their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff are required to:
Follow all safety instructions, risk assessments and method statements provided. Use vehicles, tools and lifting equipment only as trained and in a safe manner. Wear any personal protective equipment supplied, such as gloves or safety footwear, when appropriate. Immediately report any hazards, near misses, incidents or injuries to a supervisor. Avoid taking shortcuts or unsafe practices, even when under time pressure.
Risk Assessment and Planning
Before each removal, Bow Man and Van plans the work to minimise risks. This includes:
Assessing access to properties, including stairs, lifts, tight spaces, long carrying distances and parking arrangements. Identifying fragile, heavy, awkward or high-value items that may require special handling techniques or additional crew members. Considering environmental factors such as weather, lighting and external obstacles that may affect loading and unloading areas. Determining whether additional equipment, such as trolleys, straps, ramps or moving blankets, is required for safe handling and transport.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of removal work, and Bow Man and Van takes particular care to control the risks of musculoskeletal injuries. Our procedures include:
Training staff in correct lifting postures and team lifting techniques. Encouraging the use of handling aids such as trolleys and dollies wherever feasible. Avoiding single-person lifts for heavy or awkward items, and planning two-person or multi-person lifts as necessary. Breaking down loads into smaller, manageable parts where possible, and using protective packaging to create secure handholds. Stopping or adapting work immediately if a lift is assessed as unsafe or beyond the capability of the crew on site.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to our operations and are maintained in a roadworthy condition in line with manufacturer guidelines and legal requirements. We:
Carry out regular checks on brakes, tyres, lights, securing points and load areas. Ensure drivers hold the correct licences and are trained in safe, defensive driving suitable for loaded removal vehicles. Secure loads properly using straps, blankets and appropriate load distribution to prevent movement during transit. Require drivers to comply with speed limits, parking rules and safe loading and unloading practices.
Customer and Public Safety
Bow Man and Van takes steps to protect customers and the public during moves. This includes:
Maintaining clear walkways where possible and minimising trip hazards from boxes, tools and packing materials. Using safe techniques when moving items through shared spaces such as corridors, entrances and pavements. Communicating with customers about the timing of loading and unloading and any temporary restrictions on access while heavy items are being moved. Taking care to avoid damage to property, including floors, walls, doors and communal areas, by using appropriate protection where necessary.
Equipment, PPE and Maintenance
We provide suitable equipment to support safe removals, including trolleys, straps, blankets and basic hand tools. When identified as necessary through risk assessment, personal protective equipment is supplied and must be used. All equipment is inspected regularly, and defective or damaged items are removed from service until repaired or replaced.
Training, Information and Supervision
Bow Man and Van ensures that employees receive relevant induction and on-the-job training covering health and safety topics such as manual handling, safe use of vehicles and equipment, emergency procedures and incident reporting. Supervisors monitor working practices, provide guidance and intervene if they observe unsafe behaviour or conditions.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and significant incidents must be reported as soon as possible. We record and investigate such events to identify root causes and to prevent recurrence. Staff are briefed on emergency actions, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, road accidents or significant property damage encountered during removals.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Bow Man and Van is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We regularly review operational feedback, incident reports and changes in best practice to refine our procedures. This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains relevant to our removal and man and van services and continues to protect everyone involved in or affected by our work.
By following this policy and working together, Bow Man and Van aims to deliver a professional, reliable and safe removal service on every job.
