Man with Van Kensington Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Kensington is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risk and promoting safe working practices across all moving and transport services we provide.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We recognise our duty of care under applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice. Our objectives are to prevent injury, protect health, minimise property damage and ensure that our services are carried out in a responsible and professional manner. We aim to continually improve our performance by regularly reviewing this policy and our working procedures.

Management is responsible for ensuring that appropriate resources, training and supervision are provided so that all activities, including home moves, office relocations and item collections or deliveries, are carried out safely and efficiently.

Responsibilities

Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Every person working for or with Man with Van Kensington has a duty to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of those who may be affected by their actions.

The management team is responsible for:

Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out for removal and transport tasks.

Providing safe systems of work, suitable equipment and appropriate personal protective equipment where needed.

Delivering health and safety information, instruction and training to staff.

Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses and taking corrective action.

Employees and contractors are responsible for:

Following the safety procedures and guidance provided by the company.

Using equipment correctly and reporting defects or hazards without delay.

Cooperating with colleagues and customers to maintain safe working conditions at all properties and loading points.

Reporting any accidents, near misses or unsafe conditions to management as soon as possible.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for our removal activities, including packing, loading, unloading and transportation of goods. These assessments identify potential hazards such as manual handling risks, slips and trips, falls from height, vehicle movement, traffic conditions and property damage. Control measures are implemented to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Safe systems of work are established and communicated to staff for typical removal scenarios, including stair work, narrow access, use of lifting aids, parking near properties and working in shared or busy environments. Where conditions on site differ from expectations, our staff are instructed to reassess the risk, adjust the working method, and if necessary stop work until it is safe to continue.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our operations and is managed with particular care. We provide training in correct lifting techniques, team lifting, use of trolleys and other aids, and safe stacking of items. Staff are instructed to:

Avoid unnecessary manual handling where mechanical aids are available and practical.

Assess the weight, size and stability of items before attempting to move them.

Ask for assistance for heavy or awkward loads and never attempt lifts that exceed their capability.

Use proper posture, keeping loads close to the body and avoiding twisting or overreaching.

We also encourage customers to inform us in advance of particularly heavy or bulky items so we can plan appropriate resources and equipment.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition in line with legal requirements and manufacturer recommendations. Drivers must carry out basic pre-use checks and report any defects immediately so that they can be addressed before the vehicle returns to service.

All driving for work purposes is carried out with safety as the first priority. Drivers must:

Follow road traffic laws and speed limits at all times.

Drive to the conditions, allowing extra time in busy areas and residential streets.

Secure loads correctly to prevent movement or damage during transit.

Avoid distractions and never use a handheld mobile device while driving.

Plan routes and parking locations carefully, paying attention to access, height restrictions and the safety of pedestrians and other road users.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise that our work often takes place in occupied homes, offices and shared spaces. Our teams take reasonable steps to protect customers and members of the public from harm during loading, unloading and moving activities. This includes:

Maintaining clear walkways and exits wherever possible.

Using caution when moving large items through doorways, corridors and communal areas.

Communicating with customers about planned movements, potential hazards and any temporary restrictions on access.

Leaving premises in a tidy and safe condition once work is complete, removing packing materials and equipment used by our teams.

Training, Supervision and Competence

All staff receive appropriate induction and on the job training in health and safety, safe lifting and carrying, use of equipment and vehicle operation where applicable. Supervisors and experienced team members provide ongoing guidance to newer workers to ensure that safe practices are consistently followed.

Where particular skills or qualifications are required for specific tasks or equipment, we ensure that only competent and authorised staff carry out those activities. Training needs are reviewed periodically and additional training is provided when new risks, equipment or procedures are introduced.

Accident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly to management, who will investigate the circumstances and identify any lessons to be learned. We keep appropriate records and use this information to review risk assessments, update procedures and provide additional training where needed.

We encourage open communication on health and safety matters and welcome feedback from staff and customers about any concerns or suggestions for improvement. Our goal is to continuously enhance the safety, reliability and professionalism of our removal services.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance or our operational practices. The latest version is made available to staff and customers so that everyone understands our approach and commitment to safe working within the removal and man and van sector.