Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Kentish Town

Man with Van Kentish Town is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, lifting, transporting, and delivering household and commercial goods throughout our service area.

Our Commitment to Health and Safety

We aim to conduct all removal and transport services in a manner that prevents injury, ill health, damage to property, and harm to the environment. Health and safety considerations are integrated into our planning, decision-making, and daily operations. We comply with applicable health and safety legislation and continually look for ways to improve our performance.

All staff and contractors working with Man with Van Kentish Town are expected to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. We promote a culture where safety concerns can be raised without hesitation and are dealt with promptly and effectively.

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this Health and Safety policy, providing appropriate resources, and ensuring that safe systems of work are in place. This includes conducting risk assessments, providing training and information, and monitoring compliance with safety procedures.

Employees and contractors must follow all safety instructions, use equipment correctly, wear appropriate personal protective equipment where required, and report hazards, near misses, or incidents as soon as possible. Everyone involved in our operations shares responsibility for maintaining high safety standards.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before carrying out removal activities, Man with Van Kentish Town conducts suitable and proportionate risk assessments. These assessments consider potential hazards such as manual handling, trips and falls, vehicle movements, access issues, and the handling of fragile or heavy items.

Where risks are identified, control measures are put in place. These may include the use of additional staff to handle heavy objects, the use of moving equipment such as trolleys and straps, planning safe access routes through properties, and agreeing safe loading and unloading points for our vehicles. Our procedures are regularly reviewed and updated as our services and working environments evolve.

Manual Handling and Lifting Practices

Manual handling is a core part of our work, and we recognise the potential for injury if it is not managed correctly. Staff receive guidance on correct lifting techniques, safe team lifting, and the use of handling aids where appropriate.

We assess the weight, size, and shape of items to be moved, as well as the route they must travel through the property and to our vehicles. Items that are too heavy or awkward to be safely lifted by one person must be handled by a team or with mechanical assistance. No staff member is required or permitted to lift or carry items beyond their capability.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition in line with legal requirements and good practice for removal operations. Regular checks are carried out to ensure tyres, lights, brakes, and securing equipment are in safe working order.

Drivers are responsible for operating vehicles safely, observing speed limits, parking considerately, and planning routes that minimise risk. Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit, with particular care taken over heavy, tall, or fragile items. Drivers must not operate vehicles if they are unfit to drive, including as a result of fatigue, illness, or the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Customer and Public Safety

Man with Van Kentish Town takes reasonable steps to protect customers and members of the public during all removal activities. We plan loading and unloading to avoid unnecessary obstruction of pavements and entrances, and we communicate clearly with customers about where it is safe to walk or stand while work is in progress.

Where possible, we keep walkways clear, avoid leaving equipment unattended in areas that may pose a trip hazard, and store tools and packing materials safely. If we become aware of any condition that may pose a risk in a customer property, we will highlight this and, where appropriate, adjust our work method to reduce the hazard.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Measures

We use appropriate equipment such as trolleys, moving straps, blankets, and securing devices to reduce manual handling risks and protect goods and property. All equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if any defects are identified.

Where necessary, staff may use protective gloves, safety footwear, or other protective items suited to the task. Staff are expected to use such equipment correctly and report any damage or need for replacement.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Man with Van Kentish Town provides suitable information and guidance so that staff understand their health and safety responsibilities and can carry out their tasks safely. This includes instruction on safe lifting, correct use of equipment, vehicle loading, and working carefully in customer properties.

Where new procedures, vehicles, or equipment are introduced, we ensure that team members receive adequate guidance. Less experienced staff are supervised appropriately until they are competent to work more independently.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and significant safety concerns are to be reported promptly. We record and review incidents to understand root causes and identify improvements. Corrective actions may include changes to procedures, additional instruction, or modifications to equipment or working practices.

We aim to learn from each incident or near miss so that similar events are less likely to occur in the future, supporting continuous improvement in our safety performance.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, services, or legal obligations. Updated versions will be communicated to staff and applied across our removal and transport activities.

By following this policy, Man with Van Kentish Town seeks to deliver reliable moving services while protecting the wellbeing of our team, our customers, and the public in every area where we operate.