Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Seven Kings
Man with Van Seven Kings is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, visitors, and any other persons who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our objectives, responsibilities, and working practices to minimise risks associated with moving, loading, transporting, and unloading goods.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We are dedicated to managing health and safety as an integral part of our removal services. Our aims are to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, reduce hazards where reasonably practicable, and comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and industry good practice relevant to removals and van transport.
We will review this policy regularly and update it when necessary to reflect changes in operations, regulations, or identified risks.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this policy throughout Man with Van Seven Kings. This includes:
Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out for typical removal activities, such as lifting and carrying items, using moving equipment, loading and unloading vehicles, and operating in residential and commercial locations.
Providing suitable information, instruction, and training so that staff understand their responsibilities and can complete their tasks safely.
Supplying and maintaining appropriate equipment, protective clothing where needed, and safe vehicles for the work undertaken.
Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses to identify causes and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.
Allocating sufficient resources to support safe working practices and continuous improvement in health and safety performance.
Employee Responsibilities
Every member of our team has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. All staff are expected to:
Follow the training, procedures, and safe systems of work provided by the company.
Use tools, equipment, and vehicles in accordance with instructions and only for their intended purpose.
Report hazards, defects, unsafe conditions, and incidents promptly to management.
Cooperate with any health and safety measures introduced, including wearing personal protective equipment when required.
Refrain from any behaviour that may put themselves, colleagues, customers, or the public at risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for our main activities and locations, including domestic and commercial moves, internal relocations, and short-distance and longer-distance van transport. These assessments consider manual handling, trip and slip hazards, working in and around vehicles, access to properties, and environmental conditions.
Where risks cannot be eliminated, they are controlled through safe systems of work, staff training, team lifting, use of appropriate moving equipment, and clear communication with customers. Work will not proceed if it is considered unsafe to do so.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant part of removal operations. To manage this safely, Man with Van Seven Kings:
Provides training in safe lifting and carrying techniques, including team lifting for heavy or awkward items.
Uses trolleys, dollies, lifting straps, and other suitable equipment to reduce strain and the risk of injury wherever possible.
Plans the route for moving items inside and outside properties, clearing obstacles and identifying any hazards such as stairs, uneven surfaces, or tight corners.
Sets practical limits on the size and weight of items that can be carried manually and will refuse unsafe lifts if proper control measures cannot be put in place.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are central to our services, and their safe operation is essential. We ensure that:
Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.
Drivers hold the appropriate driving licence and are considered competent and medically fit to drive.
Loads are planned, distributed, and secured to prevent movement during transit, reduce the risk of damage, and maintain vehicle stability.
Drivers comply with road traffic laws, adjust their driving style for weather and traffic conditions, and avoid distractions while driving.
Parking and unloading are carried out with regard for the safety of staff, customers, pedestrians, and other road users.
Customer and Public Safety
We take reasonable steps to protect customers, their households, visitors, and members of the public during our operations. This includes:
Planning access routes that minimise disruption and trip hazards.
Advising customers of any temporary hazards, such as ramps, open vehicle doors, or stacked items awaiting loading.
Keeping work areas as tidy as possible and removing packing materials, waste, or debris created by our teams.
Ceasing work immediately if a situation arises that puts people at unacceptable risk and reassessing the method of work before continuing.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All staff receive an introduction to our health and safety expectations when they start work with Man with Van Seven Kings. Ongoing training is provided as needed, covering topics such as manual handling, use of moving equipment, vehicle safety, and emergency procedures.
Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure that procedures are followed and provide guidance and support to less experienced team members. Where necessary, refresher training is arranged to maintain competence.
Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses
We encourage the reporting of all accidents, incidents, and near misses, regardless of severity. These are recorded and reviewed so that trends can be identified and corrective actions taken. Lessons learned are shared with relevant staff to reduce the likelihood of similar events happening again.
Continuous Improvement
Man with Van Seven Kings is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety. We monitor our performance, review this policy at regular intervals, and update our procedures when new risks or better ways of working are identified. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed and taken into account when reviewing our approach.
This Health and Safety Policy is communicated to all employees and is available to customers and interested parties on request. By working together and following these principles, we aim to deliver removal and transport services that are both efficient and safe for everyone involved.
