Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with a Van Kingston Vale

This Health and Safety Policy explains how Man with a Van Kingston Vale manages risks to protect customers, employees, subcontractors, visitors, and the general public during all removal and transport activities. Our aim is to deliver safe, reliable moving services while preventing injury, ill health, and damage to property.

Our Health and Safety Responsibilities

We are committed to meeting all applicable health and safety requirements relevant to our operations. Management is responsible for putting in place safe systems of work, providing appropriate equipment, and ensuring that staff and subcontractors understand and follow this policy. Every worker has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Health and safety considerations are integrated into planning for all removals, collections, deliveries, and related services, including loading, unloading, packing, and transport.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We assess risks before and during each job to identify potential hazards, particularly those associated with manual handling, vehicle movements, access to premises, and working in confined or shared spaces. Where necessary, risk assessments are reviewed and adapted on site to reflect actual conditions.

Control measures may include planning access routes, using appropriate lifting techniques and equipment, limiting load weights, coordinating with customers on parking and property access, and scheduling work to avoid unnecessary time pressure. Staff are instructed to stop work and seek guidance if they believe a task cannot be carried out safely.

Manual Handling and Lifting Practices

Manual handling is a key part of our removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries. We follow these principles:

Assess the weight, shape, and stability of items before lifting. Use mechanical aids such as trolleys or skates where reasonably practicable. Team-lift heavy or awkward items and agree the lift plan before moving. Keep loads close to the body, avoid twisting, and take breaks when needed. Refuse to move any item that presents an unacceptable risk to staff or property.

Fragile, sharp, or hazardous items are handled with added care and, where necessary, with protective materials or equipment.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained to a safe standard, with routine checks carried out on tyres, lights, brakes, securing points, and loading areas. Loads are distributed and secured to prevent shifting in transit, and doors are checked before departure.

Drivers must hold the appropriate licence and are required to drive in accordance with road safety laws and local traffic regulations. They must not drive while unfit due to fatigue, alcohol, drugs, or medication that may impair their ability. Journeys are planned to allow sufficient time, reducing the temptation to rush or take unnecessary risks.

Customer Premises and Property Protection

When working at customer homes or business premises, we plan safe access routes and take care to protect both people and property. This may include protecting floors or walls, moving obstacles, agreeing on safe staging areas for items, and keeping entrances, stairs, and corridors as clear as possible.

Customers are asked to keep children, pets, and visitors away from loading and unloading areas to reduce the risk of slips, trips, collisions, or other incidents. We also ask that customers inform us of any known risks at their property, such as loose flooring, low ceilings, restricted access, or faulty lighting.

Equipment, Tools, and Personal Protective Equipment

All tools, lifting aids, and associated equipment used during removals must be suitable for the task and kept in good working order. Any defect or damage must be reported immediately and the equipment taken out of service until repaired or replaced.

Where necessary, staff are provided with and instructed in the use of personal protective equipment, such as gloves, high-visibility clothing, or safety footwear. Staff are required to use such equipment properly and to report any damage or loss.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide information and instruction so that staff understand the hazards associated with removal and transport work and know how to manage them. This includes guidance on manual handling, safe vehicle loading, use of equipment, and conduct at customer locations.

New or less experienced workers may be supervised more closely until they demonstrate that they can follow safe working procedures. Refresher guidance is given where required, especially if working practices or equipment change.

Accidents, Incidents, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, instances of damage, and near misses that occur during our work must be reported to management as soon as possible. This allows us to record what happened, support those affected, and investigate the causes.

We use these investigations to improve our systems and reduce the likelihood of similar events. Corrective actions might include changes to procedures, additional training, or modifications to equipment or planning.

Health, Welfare, and Fitness for Work

We recognise that moving work can be physically demanding. Staff are encouraged to report health issues that may affect their ability to perform lifting or driving safely. Where appropriate, tasks may be adjusted to reduce strain or reallocated to others.

We support sensible breaks, hydration, and rest, particularly on longer jobs or in hot or cold conditions. No worker is expected to continue a task if they feel it is unsafe due to fatigue, illness, or environmental conditions.

Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness

When operating at customer premises, staff follow any fire and emergency procedures in place at that property. Access routes, exits, and emergency equipment such as alarms or extinguishers should not be obstructed by vehicles, boxes, or furniture.

In the event of fire, serious injury, or another emergency, the priority is to protect life and call the relevant emergency services. Staff will cooperate with emergency responders and assist customers where it is safe to do so.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever our activities or relevant regulations change. Feedback from staff and customers, as well as lessons learned from incidents or near misses, are used to improve our approach.

By booking our services or working with us, you acknowledge our commitment to safe working practices. We in turn commit to carrying out all removal and transport work in a manner that prioritises the health and safety of everyone involved.