Man with Van Kenley Health and Safety Policy
Man with Van Kenley is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transportation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to identifying, managing, and reducing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting, and unloading goods.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aim of this policy is to prevent accidents, injuries, ill health, and damage to property arising from our operations. Our objectives are to:
Identify and control hazards associated with lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, and driving activities.
Provide clear information, instruction, training, and supervision to our employees and contractors.
Ensure our vehicles, equipment, and work practices are safe and suitable for removals work.
Promote a positive health and safety culture where all individuals take responsibility for safe conduct.
Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Man with Van Kenley has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:
Ensuring health and safety considerations are integrated into planning and decision making.
Providing adequate resources for training, maintenance, equipment, and protective gear.
Carrying out regular reviews of health and safety practices and updating procedures when necessary.
Investigating any accidents, near misses, or complaints and taking corrective action.
Ensuring that every member of staff understands their responsibilities and is competent to carry out their duties safely.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and regular contractors of Man with Van Kenley have a duty to:
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others affected by their work.
Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided.
Use vehicles, tools, and equipment correctly and report defects immediately.
Wear any personal protective equipment issued, such as gloves or safety footwear, where required.
Report hazards, near misses, and incidents promptly so that risks can be addressed.
Refrain from any behaviour that may endanger themselves, colleagues, customers, or the public.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We assess the risks associated with our removal and transport activities and take steps to minimise them. Risk assessments cover, where applicable:
Manual handling of furniture, appliances, and personal belongings.
Loading and unloading vehicles at homes, offices, and storage facilities.
Working in confined spaces, stairwells, or areas with restricted access.
Securing loads for transport to prevent movement and damage.
Driving and roadside activities, including parking and unloading in busy areas.
Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments, and staff are trained to follow them consistently.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of removal work, and we put strong emphasis on safe lifting techniques. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, we:
Train staff in correct lifting posture and team-lifting methods.
Encourage the use of handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, and straps where suitable.
Plan moves to avoid unnecessary carrying distances or awkward routes.
Assess the weight, shape, and stability of items before lifting or moving.
Instruct staff not to attempt lifting items that are beyond their capability and to request assistance when needed.
Vehicle and Equipment Safety
Our vehicles and equipment are essential tools for our removal services and must be maintained in a safe condition. Man with Van Kenley will:
Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected and serviced in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.
Check tyres, brakes, lights, and load security features routinely.
Provide and maintain equipment such as removal blankets, straps, ramps, and trolleys in good working order.
Ensure that only trained and authorised personnel drive company vehicles.
Require all loads to be properly distributed, secured, and checked before journeys commence.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, visitors, neighbours, and members of the public during removal operations. To do this we:
Take care to protect floors, walls, doorways, and fixtures from damage where reasonably practicable.
Keep routes clear of trip hazards such as packing materials, tools, or loose items.
Work in a manner that minimises disruption, noise, and obstruction of access paths.
Exercise extra caution when operating in communal areas, pavements, and shared driveways.
Ensure children, pets, and vulnerable persons are kept away from loading and unloading zones where possible.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Man with Van Kenley provides appropriate training and supervision so that staff can work safely and confidently. This includes:
Induction training on company health and safety procedures.
Instruction in safe lifting, loading, and driving practices.
Ongoing guidance and refresher training where duties or best practice change.
Clear communication of job-specific risks before each move.
Monitoring of working methods to ensure standards are maintained and improved.
Health, Welfare, and Fitness for Work
We take the welfare and fitness of our staff seriously, recognising the physical nature of removal work. We will:
Discourage lone working in high-risk situations, particularly with heavy or bulky items.
Expect employees to present themselves fit for work and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Encourage early reporting of health concerns that may affect safe performance of duties.
Provide reasonable rest breaks and encourage proper hydration, especially during demanding work.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, damage, or dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as practicable. Man with Van Kenley will:
Record and investigate incidents to identify causes and prevent recurrence.
Ensure staff are familiar with basic emergency procedures, including what to do in case of injury, fire, or road incidents.
Encourage cooperation with emergency services and authorities when required.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our activities, legislation, or best practice. We seek feedback from staff and customers to identify areas for improvement and to ensure our approach remains effective, practical, and aligned with our commitment to safe and reliable removal services.
By working together and following this policy, Man with Van Kenley aims to maintain high standards of safety and care on every job we undertake.
