Man with Van Kensal Green Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Kensal Green is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, subcontractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and delivery activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our principles and arrangements for managing risks associated with home and office moves, loading and unloading, driving, and work at client properties.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property during the provision of our man and van services. We aim to identify and control risks at every stage of a move, from planning and packing through to transport, unloading and final positioning of items at the destination.
We continually review our practices to improve safety performance and to ensure that our work in residential streets, commercial premises and shared spaces is carried out responsibly and with consideration for others.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective health and safety arrangements. This includes:
Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out for typical moving activities, such as manual handling of furniture, use of equipment, lifting in stairwells and vehicle loading. Providing and maintaining vehicles, tools and equipment that are safe and suitable for the nature and scale of our work. Ensuring that staff and regular subcontractors receive appropriate information, instruction and training to work safely and to follow company procedures. Monitoring health and safety performance and investigating any incidents, near misses or concerns raised by workers or customers.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and subcontractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must:
Work in accordance with the training, procedures and guidance provided by the company. Use vehicles, trolleys, straps, protective equipment and other tools correctly and safely. Report hazards, defective equipment, near misses and incidents promptly so that appropriate action can be taken. Cooperate fully in any incident investigation and in the implementation of safety improvements. Refrain from any behaviour that could compromise safety, including working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We assess the risks associated with typical jobs, including house and flat moves, office relocations, storage runs and single-item collections. We consider manual handling, property layout, stairways, parking, access restrictions and environmental conditions such as poor lighting or adverse weather.
Where particular hazards are identified, we implement control measures such as using lifting aids, allocating additional personnel, planning safe routes through properties and scheduling sufficient time for the job to be carried out without rushing.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of our work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of strain and injury. Our approach includes:
Training staff in safe lifting techniques, including team lifting for heavy or awkward items. Planning lifts in advance and clearing walkways of obstacles before moving large pieces. Using trolleys, dollies, shoulder straps, blankets and other aids to reduce manual strain where possible. Refusing lifts that are unsafe due to excessive weight, poor grip, unstable loads or unsuitable access, and seeking alternative solutions where practical.
Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks on tyres, lights, brakes and load securing points. Drivers are responsible for ensuring they are fit to drive and that all loads are properly secured before any journey begins.
We emphasise defensive driving, adherence to speed limits and respect for other road users. Parking and loading are planned to minimise risk to pedestrians and avoid obstruction, with particular care taken in residential streets and busy commercial areas.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
When working at customer premises, our teams take reasonable steps to protect both the property and the people within or around it. This includes:
Identifying potential trip hazards such as loose cables, uneven surfaces or cluttered hallways and addressing them where possible. Using protective coverings such as floor runners or corner protectors where necessary to prevent damage. Keeping access routes clear during loading and unloading so that customers and members of the public can move safely. Communicating clearly with customers about planned moving routes and any short-term restrictions while heavy items are being handled.
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
We select and maintain equipment suitable for the moving tasks we undertake, including trolleys, straps and moving blankets. Equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if damaged or defective.
Where necessary, appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves or safety footwear is provided and must be used in accordance with training and instructions.
Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work
We recognise that moving work can be physically demanding. Staff are encouraged to maintain reasonable levels of fitness and to report any health conditions that may affect their ability to lift or perform certain tasks safely.
No one is permitted to work if they are unfit due to illness, fatigue, alcohol or drugs. Short breaks are scheduled where needed to prevent overexertion, particularly during long or complex moves.
Training, Communication and Consultation
Appropriate induction and ongoing training are provided to ensure that workers understand their health and safety responsibilities and are competent to carry out their roles. This includes training on manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle loading and customer interaction.
We encourage open communication about safety matters. Employees and subcontractors are invited to raise any concerns or suggestions for improvement, which will be considered by management and, where appropriate, incorporated into updated procedures.
Incident Reporting and Policy Review
All accidents, injuries, near misses and significant property damage linked to our work must be reported as soon as possible. These events are investigated to identify underlying causes and any necessary corrective actions.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, vehicles, equipment or working methods. Updated versions are communicated to employees and subcontractors to ensure that our safety standards remain current and effective.
