Health and Safety Policy for Man and a Van West Kensington
Man and a Van West Kensington is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal services. This policy outlines the principles and procedures we follow to manage health and safety risks associated with our moving and transport operations.
We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and aim to constantly improve our standards through regular review, training, and risk management. Health and safety are integral to the planning and delivery of every job we undertake.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The main aims of this policy are to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property and to promote a culture of safety awareness in all our activities. We will:
Identify, assess, and manage risks associated with lifting, carrying, loading, driving, and working at customers premises. Provide appropriate information, instruction, and training so that our staff can carry out their duties safely. Ensure vehicles, tools, and equipment are maintained in safe working condition. Encourage staff to report hazards, near misses, and incidents so that we can learn and improve. Review this policy regularly and update it as needed to reflect current best practice.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing and monitoring this health and safety policy. This includes:
Ensuring suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for removal and transport tasks. Providing access to appropriate personal protective equipment where required. Ensuring that staff are competent and receive training in manual handling, vehicle safety, and customer site safety. Investigating accidents, incidents, and complaints relating to health and safety and taking corrective action. Allocating sufficient resources to support effective health and safety management.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular contractors working on behalf of Man and a Van West Kensington share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. They are expected to:
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided. Use equipment and vehicles in accordance with instructions and never misuse safety devices. Report hazards, defects, near misses, and incidents to management at the earliest opportunity. Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and any related safety measures.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before starting a removal or delivery, staff must consider the risks associated with the job. This includes assessing access routes, stairs, narrow corridors, parking arrangements, and any unusual items or loads. Where necessary, a more formal risk assessment will be completed.
Safe working practices include, but are not limited to, planning the route in advance, agreeing safe lifting methods as a team, ensuring enough staff are present for heavy or awkward items, and using handling aids such as trolleys where appropriate. Work should be stopped immediately if a situation appears unsafe and advice must be sought from management.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of our removal service and presents a risk of injury if not managed correctly. To reduce the risk of strain and injury, we require that:
Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, including posture, team lifting, and use of handling equipment. Loads are assessed before lifting to determine weight, shape, and stability. Heavy or bulky items are lifted by two or more people where necessary. Staff avoid twisting their bodies while lifting and carrying and take regular short breaks when handling multiple loads. Staff do not attempt to lift or move any load they believe to be unsafe for them.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are essential to our removal service and must be operated safely at all times. We ensure that:
Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained in roadworthy condition. Loads are distributed and secured correctly to avoid movement during transit. Drivers hold the appropriate licence and are familiar with the vehicle they are operating. Drivers plan routes to minimise stress, delays, and unsafe manoeuvres in busy areas. Drivers follow all road traffic laws, avoid using mobile devices while driving, and take rest breaks as required.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Working in and around customer homes, offices, and shared access areas requires particular care. We aim to protect customers, neighbours, and passers-by by:
Keeping access routes as clear as possible during loading and unloading. Using warning signs or verbal warnings where trip hazards cannot be fully avoided. Taking care not to block fire exits, communal corridors, or emergency access. Protecting surfaces, walls, and fixtures from damage where reasonably practicable. Carrying out work in a way that minimises noise and disruption to others.
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
We provide suitable tools and, where necessary, personal protective equipment for tasks such as lifting, loading, and securing goods. All equipment must be kept in good condition, inspected regularly, and removed from service if damaged or faulty.
Staff must use any protective equipment in line with the training and instructions provided and must never bypass or disable safety features on tools or vehicles.
Health, Welfare, and Fitness for Work
We expect staff to attend work in a fit state to safely perform their duties. Alcohol, illegal drugs, or misuse of medication are not tolerated in any circumstances that could affect safety. Staff must inform management if they are taking any medication or have any medical condition that might impact their ability to carry out lifting or driving tasks safely.
We encourage open communication about health concerns and will consider reasonable adjustments where practical to support the wellbeing of our workforce.
Accidents, Incidents, and Reporting
All accidents, incidents, and near misses, irrespective of severity, must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will investigate to identify causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence. Where required by law, incidents will be recorded and reported to the appropriate authorities.
Training, Communication, and Review
We provide initial and refresher training relevant to the tasks our staff perform, including manual handling, safe use of equipment, and vehicle operation. Health and safety expectations are communicated clearly during induction and through ongoing discussions.
This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable for the nature and scale of our removal and transport activities. Updates will be communicated to all staff and implemented promptly. By working together, we can deliver a reliable man and van service while maintaining high standards of health and safety for everyone involved.
