Man With a Van Kew Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Kew is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety in all removal and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to safeguarding our staff, customers, the public, and property during collection, loading, transit, and delivery. We aim to provide a safe and healthy working environment and to minimise risks associated with moving, handling, and transporting goods.

Policy Aims and Responsibilities

The primary aim of this policy is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health. We integrate health and safety considerations into our planning for every move, from small residential jobs to larger commercial removals.

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that appropriate procedures, training, and resources are in place. Every employee and contractor working with Man With a Van Kew has a duty to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions, and to follow all safety instructions and procedures.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before each removal or transport job, we carry out a risk assessment that considers the nature of the items, property access, parking arrangements, and any specific hazards. Where necessary, we may visit the site in advance or request additional information from the customer to support safe planning.

Risk assessments cover, as a minimum, manual handling risks, trip and slip hazards, use of lifting equipment, staircases and narrow access, weather conditions, and vehicle movement. Control measures are implemented to reduce risks to a reasonable level, and staff are briefed on any specific precautions required for each job.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is managed with care to prevent injury. Our staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, including correct posture, team lifting methods, and use of handling aids such as trolleys, straps, and blankets where appropriate.

We avoid lifting loads that are excessively heavy or awkward for one person and use team lifting or mechanical assistance where necessary. Items are assessed for weight, stability, and potential hazards such as sharp edges or fragile parts before being moved. Staff are instructed not to exceed their personal physical limits and to seek assistance whenever required.

Use of Vehicles and Equipment

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe, roadworthy condition in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Regular inspections are carried out to check tyres, lights, brakes, securing points, and loading areas. Any defects are reported immediately and remedied before vehicles are used for work.

Equipment such as sack trucks, ramps, and securing straps are selected, inspected, and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance. Only trained staff are permitted to operate equipment, and damaged or defective items are taken out of service until repaired or replaced.

Safe Loading, Transport, and Unloading

Safe loading practices are essential to protect staff, customers, and other road users. Goods are loaded to ensure weight is evenly distributed and securely restrained to prevent movement during transit. Fragile, sharp, or hazardous items are handled with particular care in line with agreed procedures and legal requirements.

Drivers follow safe driving practices, comply with road traffic laws, and adjust driving style to account for vehicle load and weather conditions. On arrival, unloading is planned to avoid blocking pavements, driveways, or access routes and to minimise risk to pedestrians and other vehicles.

Customer and Public Safety

We take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors, neighbours, and members of the public from risks arising from our work. This includes planning safe parking positions, clearly identifying work areas, and ensuring that walkways and exits remain accessible where possible.

Where there is a risk of trips, slips, or falling objects, our team will take practical steps to reduce hazards, such as careful placement of ramps, cables, and equipment, and prompt removal of packing materials and waste from access routes.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All staff receive appropriate induction and ongoing training covering health and safety responsibilities, manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, and emergency procedures. Refresher training is provided as needed, and new procedures are communicated clearly to all relevant personnel.

Supervisors monitor work practices to ensure that safety standards are followed. Staff are encouraged to raise health and safety concerns, suggest improvements, and report hazards or near misses, so that preventative action can be taken.

Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents, and near misses are recorded and, where necessary, investigated to identify root causes and preventive measures. First aid provisions are made available, and staff are informed of the procedures to follow in the event of an injury or emergency.

Where applicable, incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities in accordance with legal requirements. Lessons learned from investigations are used to improve our procedures, training, and risk assessments.

Occupational Health and Wellbeing

Man With a Van Kew recognises the importance of protecting both the physical and mental health of employees. Workloads and schedules are managed to reduce excessive fatigue, and staff are encouraged to report any health conditions that may affect their ability to carry out tasks safely.

We aim to foster a culture in which staff feel able to raise concerns about stress, workload, or unsafe practices, knowing that they will be listened to and that reasonable steps will be taken to address their concerns.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation, or best practice guidance. We are committed to continuous improvement and will update our procedures, training, and risk assessments to reflect new information and experience.

By working together and following this policy, Man With a Van Kew aims to deliver a safe, reliable, and professional removal service across our operating area, protecting our workforce, customers, and the wider community.