Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Knightsbridge Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Knightsbridge is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, contractors, and the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks associated with removal and transport services, including packing, loading, unloading, and driving.

Our Commitment to Health and Safety

We recognise that professional removal services involve physical work, vehicle use, and interaction with customers at their homes, workplaces, and storage facilities. Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, and damage by planning work carefully, using appropriate equipment, and ensuring that all staff are trained and supervised.

Health and safety is a core part of how we operate. We expect every member of our team to take personal responsibility for safe working practices and to support colleagues and customers in maintaining a safe environment.

Responsibilities and Management

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Man with Van Knightsbridge rests with company management, who will:

Plan work activities to minimise risk to staff, customers, and the public.

Provide appropriate training, information, and supervision to all workers.

Ensure equipment and vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition.

Review incidents, near misses, and feedback to improve our procedures.

All employees and contractors must:

Follow this Health and Safety Policy and any specific job instructions.

Use equipment correctly and report defects or hazards immediately.

Work in a way that does not endanger themselves or others.

Report all accidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions without delay.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before each removal job, we assess the work to identify potential hazards and decide on the safest approach. This includes considering:

Access to the property, including stairs, lifts, narrow corridors, and parking.

The size, weight, and shape of items to be moved.

Potential risks from fragile, sharp, or bulky items.

Weather conditions that may affect loading, unloading, or driving.

Where appropriate, we may adjust the number of staff assigned, the type of vehicle used, and the equipment required to ensure safe completion of the job.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our removal services and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. Our approach includes:

Training staff in correct lifting techniques, including team lifting for heavy or awkward items.

Using equipment such as dollies, trolleys, straps, and blankets to assist with safe moving.

Assessing the weight and stability of items before lifting or carrying.

Planning routes through properties to avoid obstructions and trip hazards.

Staff are instructed not to attempt to lift or carry items that are beyond their capability or that cannot be moved safely with the available equipment and personnel.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and are operated with a strong focus on safety. We:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained in line with manufacturer guidelines and legal requirements.

Require drivers to hold the appropriate licence for the vehicle being used.

Load vehicles in a balanced and secure manner to avoid shifting loads and instability.

Plan routes to minimise risk, taking into account traffic, road conditions, and access restrictions.

Drivers must obey all road traffic laws, avoid distractions, and not drive when tired or unfit for duty.

Safe Working at Customer Premises

We respect that we are often working within customers homes and workspaces. To protect people and property, we:

Conduct visual checks for hazards such as loose carpets, wet floors, low ceilings, or fragile fittings.

Use protective materials where appropriate to reduce the risk of damage to floors, walls, and doorways.

Keep walkways as clear as reasonably possible during loading and unloading.

Communicate clearly with customers about our activities so they can keep a safe distance from moving items.

We may refuse or postpone work if conditions are unsafe or if proceeding would put staff, customers, or property at unreasonable risk.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide suitable equipment and, where necessary, personal protective equipment to support safe working. This may include:

Removal blankets, straps, trolleys, and ramps.

Gloves and protective clothing for handling certain items.

High-visibility garments when working near traffic or in shared access areas.

All equipment must be used in accordance with training and manufacturer instructions, and any defects must be reported and taken out of use until repaired or replaced.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and safety concerns must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to:

Provide any necessary first aid or medical attention.

Investigate the cause of the incident.

Take corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

In an emergency, staff are instructed to prioritise the safety of people over property, to contact the appropriate emergency services where necessary, and to inform management without delay.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide ongoing training and guidance so that our team understands their responsibilities and can carry out their work safely. This includes:

Induction training for new staff covering core health and safety procedures.

Instruction in manual handling, safe use of equipment, and vehicle loading.

Updates when procedures, equipment, or legal requirements change.

Supervision of less experienced staff until they demonstrate competence in safe working practices.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Man with Van Knightsbridge is committed to continually improving health and safety performance. We review this policy regularly, and whenever there are significant changes in our services, working methods, or legal requirements. Feedback from staff and customers about safety issues is encouraged and will be considered as part of the review process.

By implementing this Health and Safety Policy and keeping it under regular review, we aim to ensure that removal and transport services are provided in a way that protects our team, our customers, and the wider community.