Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van South Kensington

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and arrangements that Man with Van South Kensington follows to protect the wellbeing of our staff, customers, contractors and members of the public. We are committed to delivering local and regional removal services in a safe, responsible and professionally managed way.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

Man with Van South Kensington aims to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health in all aspects of our removal and transport activities. We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and continually review our working practices to reduce risks associated with lifting, carrying, loading, driving and working at customers premises.

Health and safety is the shared responsibility of management, staff and contractors. Everyone working for or on behalf of our company is expected to take reasonable care of themselves and of others who may be affected by their actions.

Responsibilities and Management

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van South Kensington rests with the company management. Management is responsible for:

Ensuring that suitable risk assessments are carried out for removals, loading and unloading tasks, and that appropriate control measures are adopted.

Providing adequate information, instruction, supervision and training to staff so that work is carried out safely and efficiently.

Making sure that vehicles, tools, equipment and protective gear are maintained in a safe and usable condition.

Reviewing this policy regularly and updating it when there are changes in our operations or in applicable regulations.

All employees and contractors are required to:

Follow the health and safety procedures and guidelines provided during training and inductions.

Use equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.

Report accidents, near misses, hazards or unsafe conditions as soon as they become aware of them.

Cooperate fully with management in implementing health and safety measures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting any removal or transport task, Man with Van South Kensington carries out risk assessments that take into account the nature of the items being moved, access routes, parking arrangements and any specific customer requirements. These risk assessments inform our safe working procedures, which may include:

Planning the safest route for carrying items, considering stairs, lifts, narrow corridors and uneven surfaces.

Assessing the weight, shape and stability of items to be lifted or carried, and organising team lifts or using handling aids where required.

Ensuring that adequate space is available for safe loading and unloading of the van and that the vehicle is parked legally and safely.

Identifying any need for additional equipment, such as trolleys, straps, blankets or ramps, to protect both people and property.

Where risks cannot be fully eliminated, they are reduced as far as reasonably practicable. Staff are trained to stop work if they believe a situation is unsafe and to seek guidance before continuing.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our removal work, so we pay particular attention to safe lifting techniques and load management. All staff receive instruction on:

Assessing the load before lifting, including its weight, centre of gravity and any sharp or fragile components.

Using correct posture, keeping the load close to the body and avoiding twisting movements while carrying.

Making use of handling aids and team lifts for heavy, bulky or awkward items.

Recognising and respecting personal limitations and seeking assistance rather than risking injury.

We do not expect staff to lift items they reasonably consider to be unsafe for manual handling. In such cases, alternative arrangements will be discussed with the customer.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to the safe delivery of removal services. Man with Van South Kensington maintains its vans in good mechanical condition and ensures that they are suitable for the loads carried. Our approach includes:

Regular inspections and servicing of vehicles in line with manufacturer recommendations.

Ensuring that drivers hold the appropriate licence and are familiar with the vehicle they are operating.

Securing all loads safely inside the van, using straps and other restraints as necessary to prevent movement during transit.

Encouraging safe and considerate driving, respecting speed limits and adapting to road, traffic and weather conditions.

Drivers must not operate vehicles if they are unfit to drive, whether due to fatigue, illness, alcohol, drugs or any other cause.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer homes, offices or other premises, our staff will behave professionally and considerately, ensuring that removal work does not put others at risk. This includes:

Keeping access routes as clear as possible and avoiding trip hazards from tools, boxes or packing materials.

Using warning signs or verbal communication when moving large items through shared areas or public spaces.

Taking care to protect doors, walls, floors and fittings to reduce the risk of damage and associated hazards.

Following any reasonable site rules or safety instructions provided by building managers or customers.

Training, Information and Supervision

Man with Van South Kensington provides ongoing training and supervision to make sure our team understands current health and safety requirements and best practice in the removals sector. This may include induction training for new staff, refreshers on manual handling, toolbox talks before complex moves and updates when new equipment or procedures are introduced.

Supervisors and experienced team members are encouraged to mentor newer staff, reinforcing safe behaviour and challenging unsafe practices.

Accident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, incidents and near misses that occur during our removal and transport operations must be reported promptly to management. We record and investigate these events to identify underlying causes and to implement corrective actions where needed.

We use the findings from incident investigations, staff feedback and customer comments to review our risk assessments and improve our procedures. This process of continuous improvement helps us maintain high standards of safety and service across our operating area.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains suitable and effective for the nature and scale of our work. Updates will be communicated to all staff and applied to our day-to-day removal and van services. By working together and keeping safety at the forefront of everything we do, Man with Van South Kensington aims to provide a reliable, careful and safe moving experience for every customer.