Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Kennington Man and Van

Kennington Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transportation activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in all aspects of our man and van and removal services.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, protect health, and reduce risks associated with lifting, loading, transport and delivery of goods. We aim to achieve continuous improvement in health and safety performance through planning, monitoring and regular review of our working practices.

Legal Responsibilities and Standards

Kennington Man and Van will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards that apply to removal and transportation activities. We will ensure that our policies and procedures are kept up to date and reflect current legal requirements, published guidance and best practice for manual handling, vehicle use and workplace safety.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Kennington Man and Van accepts overall responsibility for health and safety. Management will:

Provide clear instructions, information and supervision to promote safe working practices during all removal and transport work.

Ensure that risk assessments are carried out, actions are implemented, and control measures are maintained and reviewed.

Provide suitable equipment and vehicles that are safe, properly maintained and fit for purpose.

Allocate adequate resources, including time and budget, to implement and maintain this policy.

Investigate incidents and near misses in order to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, including drivers, porters and supervisors, share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided by Kennington Man and Van.

Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly and report any damage or defects immediately.

Report hazards, unsafe conditions, incidents and near misses to management without delay.

Cooperate fully with any health and safety investigations, audits or reviews.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedures

We will conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments for our key activities, including packing, loading, transportation, unloading and storage of goods. These assessments will consider risks such as manual handling injuries, slips and trips, falls from vehicles, traffic incidents, property damage and harm to members of the public.

Findings from risk assessments will be used to develop safe systems of work. These may include specific procedures for loading and securing items, working at the rear of vehicles, operating on roads and driveways, and handling fragile or bulky objects.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant aspect of removal work and requires careful control. Kennington Man and Van will:

Provide training in safe lifting techniques, team handling and the use of moving equipment such as trolleys and dollies.

Encourage employees to assess loads before lifting, and to request assistance or use equipment for heavy or awkward items.

Avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable by planning jobs, breaking down loads and using mechanical aids.

Ensure that any lifting or moving equipment is inspected, maintained and used in accordance with manufacturer instructions.

Vehicle Safety and Road Risk

Our drivers and vehicles play a central role in our service. To manage road risk, Kennington Man and Van will:

Ensure that vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in safe working order.

Check that loads are safely distributed, secured and do not exceed vehicle capacity.

Promote safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, parking rules and road traffic regulations.

Discourage the use of mobile phones or distractions while driving, other than approved hands free solutions where legally permitted.

Plan routes, where possible, to minimise time pressures and reduce the risk of fatigue.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams often work in and around customer homes, business premises and public areas. To protect customers and the public, we will:

Assess access routes, stairways, doorways and external areas for hazards before starting work.

Use safe techniques when moving furniture and goods through confined spaces, staircases and shared areas.

Take reasonable steps to prevent trip hazards, such as loose packaging, tools or equipment, in work areas and walkways.

Maintain professional conduct and consider the comfort and safety of customers, neighbours and passers by at all times.

Training, Information and Supervision

Kennington Man and Van will provide appropriate induction and ongoing training to employees so they are competent to perform their duties safely. This includes training in manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, incident reporting and emergency arrangements.

Supervisors and experienced staff will monitor work practices, provide guidance and correct unsafe behaviour. Written procedures and safety information will be made available for reference and review.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and cases of damage to vehicles, property or customer goods must be reported promptly to management. Records will be kept and reviewed to identify patterns and areas for improvement.

Employees will be briefed on emergency procedures relevant to their work, including how to respond to injuries, fire, spills, traffic incidents and other unexpected events. First aid arrangements will be made in line with legal requirements and the nature of our operations.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage open communication about health and safety matters. Employees are invited to share concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about working practices. Where practical, changes will be made to reduce risks and enhance safety.

This health and safety policy will be reviewed regularly, and whenever there are significant changes in our activities, legislation or industry guidance. Revisions will be communicated to all staff to ensure that safe working remains at the core of Kennington Man and Van operations.