Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van South Kensington
Man and a Van South Kensington is committed to maintaining the highest practicable standards of health, safety and welfare for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety policy applies to all removal and delivery services we provide, including domestic moves, small office relocations and transport of goods.
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by managing risks associated with lifting, carrying, loading, driving and working in varied locations such as homes, offices and shared access areas.
Management Responsibilities and Commitment
The management of Man and a Van South Kensington accepts overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy. We ensure that:
Health and Safety is given equal priority with operational and commercial considerations.
All work is properly planned, supervised and carried out in accordance with relevant health and safety legislation and industry good practice.
Employees receive appropriate information, instruction and training to work safely and competently in removal environments.
Vehicles, equipment and tools are maintained in a safe condition and inspected at appropriate intervals.
Accidents, incidents and near misses are recorded, investigated where necessary and used to improve our procedures.
This policy is reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, to ensure it remains effective and up to date.
Employee Duties and Cooperation
All employees, including temporary and part‑time staff, have a duty to safeguard their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are expected to:
Follow company safety procedures, risk assessments and safe systems of work.
Use handling aids, protective equipment and company vehicles in accordance with training and instructions.
Report hazards, defects, near misses and any concerns relating to health, safety or welfare to management as soon as reasonably practicable.
Refrain from horseplay, misuse of equipment or any behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk.
Cooperate with any accident investigation, safety review or training initiative arranged by the company.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Man and a Van South Kensington identifies and manages risks associated with our removal services by carrying out risk assessments for typical tasks and environments. These assessments inform our safe working practices, which include:
Surveying properties where practicable to identify access issues, parking arrangements, stairs, lifts and potential hazards.
Planning routes and loading arrangements to minimise manual handling, reduce journey times and avoid unnecessary risks.
Adapting methods when working in shared areas such as corridors, stairwells, pavements and communal entrances to protect the public.
Ensuring team members understand their roles and coordinate movements, particularly when carrying bulky or heavy items.
Stopping work and reassessing if conditions change or an unexpected hazard is discovered.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of removal activities and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. We aim, wherever reasonable, to avoid or minimise heavy manual lifting by:
Using appropriate handling equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, straps and protective covers when suitable.
Encouraging team lifting for large or awkward items and ensuring loads are within individual capabilities.
Training staff in safe lifting techniques, correct posture, load assessment and the importance of planning each lift before starting.
Disassembling furniture and removing detachable components when practicable to reduce size and weight.
Ensuring that equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service immediately if found to be defective.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and are operated with a strong emphasis on safety. We ensure that:
Vehicles are roadworthy, regularly serviced and checked by drivers before use.
Loads are distributed evenly, secured correctly and kept within the vehicle load capacity.
Drivers comply with road traffic laws, drive defensively and account for the larger size and weight of removal vehicles.
Parking is carried out with due consideration for pedestrians, traffic flow and local restrictions, and in a way that minimises manual handling distances.
Engines are switched off during loading and unloading where safe to do so, and hazards such as reversing are controlled, using a guide where practicable.
Protection of Customers and the Public
We recognise our duty to protect customers, occupants of properties, neighbours and members of the public during removal operations. To achieve this, we:
Maintain clear walkways and minimise trip hazards such as trailing straps, packaging and loose materials.
Use warning where required and communicate with customers and others present about moving routes and activities taking place.
Secure doors of vehicles and properties against unauthorised access while work is ongoing.
Handle customer belongings with care to prevent damage, spills or breakages that could create hazards.
Work considerately in shared spaces, keeping noise and obstruction to a reasonable minimum.
Welfare, Fitness for Work and Training
Man and a Van South Kensington recognises that staff wellbeing is closely linked to safe performance. We therefore:
Expect employees to present for work fit, rested and free from the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Encourage staff to report health issues that might affect their ability to lift, carry or drive safely so that suitable adjustments can be considered.
Provide training and ongoing guidance on safe working practices, manual handling, vehicle use and hazard awareness relevant to removal work.
Promote a culture where safety concerns can be raised without fear of reprisal and where mutual support between team members is the norm.
Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy forms part of our wider commitment to delivering reliable and professional removal services. We aim for continual improvement by monitoring performance, listening to feedback from staff and customers and keeping abreast of changes in relevant standards. Where improvements are identified, we update our procedures, training and risk assessments to ensure that health and safety remains an integral element of our day to day operations.
