Health and Safety policy
Man and a Van Knightsbridge Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Man and a Van Knightsbridge manages the safety and wellbeing of its employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public during all removal and transport activities. Our services involve handling, lifting, loading, transport and delivery of goods, and we are committed to carrying out all operations in a safe, responsible and professional manner.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
Man and a Van Knightsbridge is committed to providing a safe working environment, safe systems of work and safe equipment for everyone involved in our removal services. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health, and to continuously improve our health and safety performance in line with best practice in the removals industry.
Health and safety considerations are integral to planning every job, from small flat moves to larger home and office relocations. We expect all workers and contractors to share this commitment and to co-operate in following our procedures at all times.
Legal Responsibilities
We recognise our duty to comply with relevant health and safety legislation applicable to removal and transport operations. Our management team is responsible for ensuring that our policies and procedures reflect current legal requirements and accepted industry standards. Employees and contractors must take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions, and must report any concerns without delay.
Risk Assessment and Planning
Before carrying out removal work, our team considers the specific risks associated with the property, access routes, parking, loading areas and the nature of the items being moved. Where appropriate, a structured risk assessment is undertaken to identify hazards and set out suitable control measures.
Risk assessments may address issues such as manual handling, working in confined or restricted spaces such as stairwells, moving large or awkward items, operating in busy streets, and handling fragile or high-value goods. Findings are used to plan vehicle positioning, lifting techniques, equipment requirements and staffing levels for each job.
Safe Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core element of removal work and a key focus of our safety procedures. Staff receive guidance and instruction on safe lifting methods, including how to assess the weight and shape of loads, when to use team lifting, and when to use lifting aids such as trolleys, dollies and straps.
Our policy is to avoid unnecessary manual lifting wherever possible by using suitable equipment and practical loading techniques. Staff are expected to refuse to lift loads that are unsafe or beyond their physical capability, and to seek assistance as needed.
Vehicles, Equipment and Maintenance
Man and a Van Knightsbridge ensures that vehicles used for removal and transport are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Regular checks are carried out on brakes, lights, tyres, securing points and loading areas. Drivers are responsible for conducting basic pre-use checks and reporting any defects immediately so that appropriate action can be taken.
Removal equipment such as trolleys, blankets, straps and ramps is inspected and maintained to ensure it is safe and fit for purpose. Faulty or damaged equipment must not be used and must be reported so that it can be repaired or replaced.
Protection of Customers, Public and Property
We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, members of the public and property in the areas where we work. Our staff are required to secure loading areas as far as reasonably practicable, to avoid creating trip hazards, and to minimise obstruction on pavements, staircases and communal areas.
Protective measures such as corner guards, floor coverings and wrapping materials may be used when appropriate to help prevent damage to property and to create safer working conditions. Items are loaded and secured within vehicles to avoid movement during transit, reducing risk to both people and goods.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide ongoing guidance and instructions to our team on safe working practices, manual handling techniques, correct use of equipment, and safe driving and loading procedures. New staff are introduced to our health and safety expectations as part of their induction and are supervised until they are competent in their tasks.
Supervisors and drivers are responsible for ensuring that safety procedures are followed on each job, and for addressing any unsafe behaviour immediately. Where necessary, additional briefings are given for jobs that involve unusual risks or complex access.
Driving and Road Safety
Our drivers are required to hold appropriate driving licences and to observe all road traffic laws. They must drive at safe speeds, allow sufficient time for journeys, and take into account the size and load of the vehicle when planning routes and manoeuvres. Fatigue, distraction and unsafe driving are not tolerated.
Loads must be evenly distributed and securely fastened to prevent shifting during transit. Doors, ramps and tailgates must be correctly closed and locked before departure and checked on arrival at each destination.
Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses
All accidents, incidents, injuries, damage to property and near misses that occur during removal or transport work must be reported as soon as possible to the relevant manager or supervisor. We review such events to understand the cause and to identify any improvements needed to prevent recurrence.
Where appropriate, we will co-operate with authorities and any external parties in investigating serious incidents. Lessons learned are used to update our risk assessments, training and procedures.
Consultation and Responsibilities
Everyone engaged in work for Man and a Van Knightsbridge shares responsibility for health and safety. Managers are responsible for implementing this policy and monitoring compliance. Employees and contractors must follow instructions, use equipment correctly, wear any required protective items and immediately report hazards or concerns.
We encourage open communication on health and safety matters and welcome suggestions for improving our systems. No worker will be penalised for raising a genuine safety concern or for stopping work they reasonably believe to be unsafe.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our activities, working practices or legal requirements. We aim to learn from experience on every job, from local house moves to larger relocations, and to use that knowledge to enhance the safety and reliability of our services.
By following this policy, Man and a Van Knightsbridge seeks to deliver removal and transport services that protect people, property and the wider community, and that reflect our commitment to professional and responsible working practices.
