Health and Safety Policy for Man and Van West Kensington

Man and Van West Kensington is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. Our aim is to prevent injury, protect health and comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and industry standards relevant to our operations.

This policy applies to all aspects of our services, including packing, lifting, loading, transportation, unloading and related activities carried out at clients premises, on public roads and in any storage or operational areas used by the company.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

The company accepts overall responsibility for managing health and safety and for ensuring that suitable arrangements, resources and training are in place. Management is responsible for implementing this policy, monitoring performance and promoting a positive safety culture in every aspect of our removal work.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day to day health and safety on site, including briefing staff, checking that safe systems of work are followed, identifying hazards and reporting incidents or near misses promptly. They must ensure that vehicles, equipment and lifting aids are used correctly and remain in a safe condition.

All employees, contractors and casual workers 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 follow company procedures, use equipment properly, wear any required personal protective equipment and immediately report unsafe conditions, incidents or concerns to a responsible person.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We identify and assess risks associated with our activities and introduce control measures to reduce those risks so far as is reasonably practicable. Typical hazards in removal work include manual handling, working in confined or cluttered spaces, slips and trips, falls from vehicles, vehicle movement, traffic risks and potential damage to property.

Before each removal job, staff are expected to review the work environment, consider access routes, parking, stairways, lifts, floor surfaces and any specific client requirements. Where necessary, a more formal risk assessment will be carried out, recorded and communicated to the team. Work will only proceed when it can be done safely.

Safe systems of work are developed for common tasks, including lifting and carrying heavy or awkward items, using trolleys and handling equipment, protecting furniture and fixtures, stacking items in vehicles and securing loads for transport. These procedures are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect experience and any changes in regulations or best practice.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant risk in the removals industry. We aim to minimise manual lifting by using appropriate handling aids such as sack trucks, dollies, furniture sliders and lifting straps wherever reasonably practicable. Loads are assessed for weight, shape and stability before being moved.

Staff receive guidance in correct lifting techniques, including team lifting for heavy or bulky items, keeping loads close to the body, avoiding twisting movements and maintaining clear communication during shared lifts. No employee is required to lift or carry any item that they believe cannot be moved safely.

All equipment used in removal operations, including trolleys, straps and protective materials, is maintained in a safe condition and inspected regularly. Defective or damaged equipment must not be used and must be reported so that it can be repaired or removed from service.

Vehicle Safety and Load Security

Our vehicles are an essential part of our service and must be operated safely at all times. Drivers are responsible for the safe operation of their vehicles, including compliance with road traffic laws, safe parking, vehicle checks and reporting of defects. Only authorised and competent drivers are permitted to operate company vehicles.

Before departure, all loads are checked to ensure they are stable and securely restrained. Items must be packed and stacked so that they cannot shift during transit. Heavy items are placed low and towards the front of the load area, with suitable use of straps and protective materials to maintain stability and prevent damage.

Extra care is taken when working near traffic or on busy streets. Where necessary, employees use high visibility clothing and agree safe procedures for moving items between the property and the vehicle, paying attention to pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

Client Premises and Public Safety

When working at client premises, we take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of occupants and visitors. This includes keeping access routes as clear as possible, using warning signs or verbal warnings where trip hazards cannot be fully eliminated, and avoiding leaving equipment or materials unattended in walkways.

Care is taken to protect floors, walls, doorways and fixtures from damage, which can also reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls. Where common areas are used, such as lobbies, corridors or shared driveways, our staff act considerately and maintain safe passage for other users.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide appropriate information and instruction so that employees understand the hazards associated with removal work and the controls in place to manage these hazards. Training may include manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle and load safety, working at height where relevant, and emergency procedures.

New staff receive an induction that covers company health and safety rules, reporting procedures and expectations for safe behaviour on client premises and on the road. Ongoing training and supervision are provided to maintain standards and to respond to changes in work practices or regulations.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and introduce measures to prevent recurrence. Records are kept of incidents and any resulting actions.

Employees are made aware of basic emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, road traffic incidents or sudden illness. Where work is carried out at client sites, our staff will cooperate with any local emergency rules that apply.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We regularly monitor our health and safety performance through site observations, incident reports, equipment checks and feedback from staff and clients. Findings are used to improve our procedures, training and risk controls.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, the law or recognised industry best practice. Updated versions are communicated to all relevant personnel, and all employees are expected to cooperate in its implementation so that our removal services are carried out safely and responsibly.