Man and a Van Kensington Health and Safety Policy
Man and a Van Kensington is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. This Health and Safety Policy outlines our approach to managing risks associated with moving, handling, loading, unloading, and transporting goods.
The company recognises its responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and aims to adopt best practice in all areas of its operations. We are dedicated to preventing accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health through effective planning, training, supervision, and continuous improvement.
Policy Objectives
Our key health and safety objectives are to:
Identify, assess, and reduce risks arising from our removal and delivery services.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, and systems of work.
Ensure all employees are competent to carry out their tasks through information, instruction, and training.
Promote a positive safety culture where everyone accepts their responsibilities and works proactively to prevent harm.
Consult with workers on matters affecting their health and safety and encourage feedback to improve our procedures.
Review and update this policy regularly to reflect changes in legislation, operations, and best practice.
Management Responsibilities
Company management has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. Management will:
Lead by example and demonstrate visible commitment to health and safety in all business activities.
Ensure that adequate resources, including time, personnel, and equipment, are made available to manage health and safety effectively.
Carry out and regularly review risk assessments for typical removal tasks, such as lifting and carrying furniture, packing, loading and unloading vehicles, driving, and operating any mechanical aids.
Develop and implement safe working procedures for all key activities, ensuring they are communicated and understood by staff.
Provide appropriate personal protective equipment where necessary and ensure it is maintained and used correctly.
Monitor accidents, incidents, near misses, and customer feedback to identify trends and implement corrective actions.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including drivers, porters, and office staff, share responsibility for maintaining health and safety standards. Every employee must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Follow all safety instructions, training, and company procedures in relation to lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, and securing loads.
Use vehicles, tools, and equipment only for their intended purpose and in accordance with training and manufacturer guidance.
Report any accidents, near misses, hazards, or defective equipment without delay so that prompt action can be taken.
Refrain from horseplay or any behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers, or the general public.
Cooperate fully with any health and safety investigation, inspection, or training programme.
Safe Handling, Lifting, and Carrying
Removal work often involves manual handling, which can present a risk of injury if not managed properly. To minimise these risks, Man and a Van Kensington will:
Provide training in safe lifting techniques, including assessment of loads, team lifting, and the use of mechanical aids where appropriate.
Encourage employees to assess each lift before starting work, considering the weight, shape, and stability of items.
Promote the use of trolleys, sliders, lifting straps, and other aids whenever they can reduce strain or risk.
Plan routes in and out of properties to avoid obstacles, uneven surfaces, or other hazards that could lead to slips, trips, or falls.
Discourage staff from attempting to lift or move items that are beyond their individual capability and support team-based handling for heavy or awkward pieces.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
The safe operation of vehicles is essential to our work. We will:
Ensure all vehicles used for removals and deliveries are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular servicing and checks.
Require drivers to carry out pre-use vehicle checks, including tyres, lights, mirrors, and load securing equipment, and to report any faults immediately.
Ensure loads are packed and secured so that they cannot move during transit, paying particular attention to heavy items and fragile goods.
Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits, parking regulations, and safe driving practices at all times.
Promote safe journey planning to reduce stress and fatigue, and avoid unnecessary risks when accessing properties or loading zones.
Customer and Public Safety
We are committed to protecting the safety of customers and the public while providing removal services. To achieve this, we will:
Plan removal activities to minimise disruption and avoid creating hazards in communal areas, pavements, and access routes.
Use safe systems for moving goods through shared spaces, stairwells, corridors, and entrances, and maintain clear walkways wherever possible.
Advise customers of any temporary restrictions or areas that should be kept clear while loading or unloading takes place.
Handle customer property with care to avoid damage that could lead to secondary hazards, such as broken glass or unstable furniture.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Man and a Van Kensington recognises that competent staff are key to a safe working environment. We will:
Provide initial and refresher training on manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, hazard awareness, and emergency procedures.
Ensure that new employees receive induction training, including an introduction to this Health and Safety Policy and our specific procedures.
Offer additional training where required for specialist tasks or when new equipment or processes are introduced.
Supervise less experienced staff and ensure that tasks are allocated according to competence and physical capability.
Risk Assessment and Continuous Improvement
We are committed to ongoing improvement in health and safety performance. To support this, we will:
Carry out regular risk assessments for typical moving and transport activities, updating them as circumstances or methods change.
Record and investigate accidents and near misses to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
Review working practices periodically and in response to feedback from staff or customers.
Revise this policy as necessary to reflect operational changes, updated regulations, and industry guidance.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes in our operations or applicable legislation. Man and a Van Kensington is committed to ensuring that health and safety considerations remain central to the planning and delivery of all our removal and transport services.
