Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Kennington Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Kennington is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy explains our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting, and unloading goods across our service area.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our key objectives are to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health; to protect property and customer belongings; and to promote a positive safety culture throughout all stages of a move. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance by reviewing our working methods, training, and equipment on a regular basis.

Legal Responsibilities and Duty of Care

We recognise our duty of care under relevant health and safety legislation and best practice guidance applicable to the removals and transport sector. Man with Van Kennington will take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that our operations do not pose unnecessary risks to our team, our clients, or the public. Staff are required to cooperate with these arrangements and to work safely at all times.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources are available for health and safety. This includes suitable vehicles, equipment, and protective gear, as well as appropriate training and supervision. Management will:

Carry out and review risk assessments for typical and non-standard removal tasks. Plan work to minimise manual handling and other hazards. Ensure vehicles are maintained and inspected regularly. Provide information and instruction to staff and contractors. Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and contractor of Man with Van Kennington has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All team members must:

Follow the safety procedures and instructions provided. Use equipment and vehicles correctly and safely. Wear any personal protective equipment supplied when required. Report hazards, defects, or unsafe conditions without delay. Inform management of any incident, injury, or near miss.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting a job, our team assesses the working environment, access routes, parking arrangements, and potential hazards inside and outside the property. This includes checking for trip hazards, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, restricted spaces, and any specific customer requirements.

Where significant risks are identified, suitable control measures are put in place. These may include using additional staff, adjusting the loading plan, using lifting aids, or rescheduling work if conditions are unsafe. Work will not proceed if it cannot be carried out safely.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. Our team is trained to use correct lifting techniques, including:

Assessing the weight, shape, and stability of items before lifting. Asking for assistance with heavy or awkward loads. Using mechanical aids such as trolleys where appropriate. Keeping loads close to the body and avoiding twisting while carrying. Taking regular breaks when moving large volumes of items.

Particularly heavy, fragile, or high-value items are planned and handled with extra care, and may require specialist equipment or additional personnel.

Vehicle Safety and Loading

Safe vehicle operation is essential to our work. Man with Van Kennington ensures that vehicles are suitable for removal work, correctly maintained, and inspected routinely. Drivers are responsible for operating vehicles in a safe and considerate manner, observing highway rules and adjusting driving style according to weather and traffic conditions.

All goods are loaded and secured to prevent movement in transit, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring stability of the vehicle. Items are distributed evenly to avoid overloading any single area. Hazards such as sharp edges, unstable stacks, and blocked exits are avoided when packing and securing loads.

Customer and Public Safety

We take active steps to protect customers, neighbours, and the general public while our work is in progress. This includes keeping access routes as clear as possible, using safe lifting zones, and avoiding unnecessary obstruction of pavements and entrances.

Where there is a risk of trips, collisions, or falling objects, our team will manage the area and, where necessary, pause work until risks are controlled. We communicate clearly with customers about safe distances and any temporary restrictions during loading and unloading.

Equipment, Tools, and Protective Gear

We supply appropriate equipment and tools for our removal activities. These may include trolleys, straps, blankets, and protective covers. All equipment is checked regularly and removed from service if damaged or defective.

Where required, staff are provided with and expected to use personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear, and high-visibility clothing. Equipment must be used only for its intended purpose and in line with training and instructions.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man with Van Kennington provides induction and ongoing training on safe working methods, including manual handling, safe loading, hazard awareness, and emergency procedures. Supervisors and experienced staff support new team members to ensure that safety standards are understood and applied consistently.

We keep staff informed about changes to procedures, equipment, or legal requirements that may affect their work and provide additional training when needed.

Wellbeing and Fitness for Work

Removal work can be physically demanding. Staff are expected to present themselves fit for duty, avoiding fatigue, alcohol, or substances that may impair performance or judgement. Any existing health conditions that could affect manual handling or driving must be disclosed to management so that work can be planned safely.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and damage to property are to be reported as soon as possible. Incidents are recorded and reviewed to identify causes and to implement corrective measures. In the event of an emergency, such as fire, serious injury, or road traffic incident, our team will follow agreed emergency procedures and cooperate fully with emergency services.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation, or best practice in the removals industry. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed to help us improve our approach. Updated versions of the policy are communicated to all relevant personnel so that standards remain clear and consistently applied.