Health and Safety Policy for Man With a Van Kingston upon Thames

Man With a Van Kingston upon Thames 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. This policy sets out the principles and arrangements we follow to manage health and safety across our operations, including home removals, office relocations, and local collection and delivery services.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and minimise risks arising from our work. We will manage health and safety with the same priority as service quality and customer care. We aim to:

Identify and control hazards associated with lifting, carrying, loading, driving, and working in and around properties and vehicles.

Comply with relevant health and safety legislation, industry guidance, and best practice for removal and transport services.

Consult with workers and encourage active participation in maintaining safe working conditions.

Provide appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision to enable staff to work safely and competently.

Review our health and safety performance regularly and make improvements where necessary.

Responsibilities

The management of Man With a Van Kingston upon Thames has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources are made available for health and safety management.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for:

Assessing risks for tasks such as lifting heavy items, operating trolleys, and loading vehicles.

Ensuring that employees follow safe systems of work and use equipment correctly.

Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses, and taking corrective action.

Employees and contractors are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Following the training, instructions, and procedures provided by the company.

Using lifting aids, personal protective equipment, and safety devices as required.

Reporting hazards, defects, incidents, or concerns to management at the earliest opportunity.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will carry out suitable and proportionate risk assessments covering routine and non-routine activities, including:

Manual handling of furniture, appliances, and boxes.

Use of trolleys, straps, ramps, and other moving equipment.

Vehicle loading, unloading, and securing of loads.

Driving and parking in residential streets and busy urban areas.

Working in customers homes, offices, and communal spaces.

Based on these assessments, we implement safe systems of work such as:

Planning the route of heavy items to avoid obstacles, uneven ground, and unnecessary stair use.

Using two-person lifts for bulky or awkward items and mechanical aids where reasonably practicable.

Ensuring loads are evenly distributed, properly secured, and within vehicle weight limits.

Maintaining clear communication between team members during lifts, manoeuvres, and vehicle movements.

Manual Handling and Musculoskeletal Health

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and presents significant risks if not managed properly. We are committed to reducing the risk of strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries by:

Providing training in correct lifting techniques, posture, and team handling.

Encouraging staff to assess each lift, avoid twisting, and keep loads close to the body.

Using trolleys, dollies, and sliders to minimise carrying distances where possible.

Allowing adequate rest breaks and rotating tasks to reduce repetitive strain.

Vehicles, Driving, and Road Safety

Our vehicles are central to our removal services and must be operated safely at all times. To protect drivers, passengers, customers, and the public, we will:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained in roadworthy condition.

Check that drivers hold valid licences and are medically fit to drive.

Encourage safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits and avoidance of distractions.

Plan journeys to allow sufficient time for safe driving, loading, and unloading.

Use appropriate equipment to secure loads and prevent movement during transit.

Working at Customer Premises

Our teams frequently work inside customers homes and business premises, often in confined spaces and shared areas. To reduce risks in these environments, we will:

Carry out on-site assessments where practicable before moving large or heavy items.

Protect floors, walls, and fixtures to prevent damage and trip hazards.

Maintain clear access routes and keep walkways free of loose items and packing materials.

Control the movement of vehicles in driveways and shared access areas and use a guide where visibility is restricted.

Show consideration for neighbours and other occupants by managing noise, obstruction, and traffic flow sensibly.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We recognise that effective training is essential for safe removal work. All staff will receive appropriate induction and ongoing training covering topics such as:

General health and safety responsibilities and company procedures.

Manual handling and safe lifting practices.

Use of moving equipment and vehicle loading methods.

Hazard awareness at domestic and commercial properties.

Emergency procedures, including fire and first aid arrangements.

Supervision will be provided in proportion to the risks and the experience of staff involved, with new or temporary workers given additional oversight.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported to management. We will:

Record and investigate incidents to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Provide suitable first aid equipment and ensure staff know how to access assistance.

Establish clear emergency arrangements for fires, serious injuries, and vehicle incidents.

Cooperate with relevant authorities where required.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

This health and safety policy will be monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals, or sooner if there are significant changes to our operations, relevant law, or following a serious incident. Feedback from employees and customers about safety concerns or improvements is encouraged and will be taken into account when updating procedures.

Man With a Van Kingston upon Thames will continue to develop and improve its health and safety arrangements to support safe, reliable, and responsible removal services across the areas we serve.