Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Kidbrooke Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Kidbrooke is committed to providing a safe, healthy and responsible removal service for our customers, our team members and anyone who may be affected by our activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks, preventing accidents and promoting a culture of safety in all aspects of our home and office removal services.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our key objectives are to prevent injury, protect health and ensure that all removal work is carried out in a safe and controlled manner. We aim to identify and minimise risks related to lifting, loading, transport, access to properties and interactions with customers and the public. We regularly review our procedures to keep standards high and to reflect best practice in the removals industry.

Roles and Responsibilities

The overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management of Man with Van Kidbrooke. Management is responsible for putting in place safe systems of work, providing suitable equipment, delivering training and monitoring compliance with this policy. Team leaders and drivers are responsible for implementing safe working practices on each job, conducting on-site checks and immediately reporting hazards or incidents. Every member of staff has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others, and to co-operate with the company in meeting its safety obligations.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before carrying out any removal work, we consider the specific risks associated with the property, access routes, items to be moved and any particular customer requirements. Where appropriate, a more formal risk assessment may be completed in advance. Typical factors assessed include staircases and tight spaces, heavy or awkward items, long carries from property to vehicle, potential trip hazards, weather conditions and traffic conditions during loading and unloading. On the basis of this assessment, staff are instructed in safe methods of lifting, carrying and stacking, use of equipment and vehicle loading arrangements.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of any man and van service, and we give it special attention. Our staff are trained in correct lifting techniques, including assessing the weight and shape of items, lifting with a straight back and using leg strength, working in pairs or teams for heavy or bulky loads, and planning the route before moving an item to avoid sudden twists or overreaching. Where practical, we use handling equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps and blankets to reduce physical strain and protect both people and property. Staff are instructed not to attempt to lift items beyond their safe capability and to request assistance when needed.

Vehicle Safety and Loading Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks on tyres, brakes, lights and securing points within the load area. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic pre-use checks and reporting any defects immediately. When loading vehicles, we follow safe loading practices, including distributing weight evenly across the load area, securing items with straps and other restraints to prevent movement in transit, avoiding overloading beyond the vehicle's permitted capacity and maintaining clear access to doors and exits. Only authorised and competent staff are permitted to drive or operate company vehicles.

Protection of Customers, Property and the Public

We plan our removal activities to minimise disruption and risk to customers, neighbours and the general public. This includes keeping access routes clear of loose items and trip hazards, using protective coverings where appropriate to prevent damage to floors and surfaces, positioning vehicles safely to avoid obstruction and ensure safe loading and unloading, and being alert to the presence of children, pets and vulnerable persons. We take care to handle all customer belongings with respect, using appropriate packing and securing methods to reduce the risk of damage or loss.

Information, Instruction and Training

All staff receive induction training that covers core health and safety principles relevant to removal work. This includes manual handling, use of handling aids, vehicle safety, use of personal protective equipment where required, incident reporting procedures and emergency arrangements. Refresher guidance is provided when needed, for example when new equipment is introduced or when any safety concerns are identified. Staff are encouraged to raise safety questions or suggestions for improvement at any time.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

Any accidents, near misses or damage incidents that occur during removal work must be reported to management as soon as possible. We keep records of such incidents and use them to identify patterns, introduce corrective actions and prevent recurrence. In the event of an emergency such as injury, fire, significant property damage or traffic incident, staff are required to follow agreed procedures, prioritising the safety of people, calling emergency services where necessary and notifying the company management promptly.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Man with Van Kidbrooke believes that health and safety performance improves when staff are involved and informed. We consult team members about changes that may affect their safety and invite feedback on how our procedures work in practice. Lessons learned from each job, and from any incidents or customer feedback, are used to refine our methods and improve training content. We review this policy and associated procedures on a regular basis to ensure they remain suitable, sufficient and up to date for our removal services.

Customer Cooperation

We ask our customers to support our health and safety efforts by providing accurate information about access, parking and any unusual or heavy items in advance; ensuring safe access to the property on the day of the move; keeping children and pets away from loading and unloading areas; and informing our team of any specific hazards at the property, such as loose flooring, low ceilings or fragile structures. By working together, we can complete each move efficiently, safely and with minimal risk to all involved.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy applies to all activities carried out by Man with Van Kidbrooke and forms part of our overall commitment to professional and responsible removals. It is reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or relevant guidance, to ensure it continues to reflect our standards and responsibilities.