Health and Safety Policy for Man and Van Knightsbridge

Man and Van Knightsbridge is committed to maintaining high standards of health, safety and welfare for all employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting and unloading goods in residential and commercial environments.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

The management of Man and Van Knightsbridge accepts overall responsibility for ensuring that health and safety is an integral part of our business operations. We aim to prevent accidents, work-related ill health, damage to property and avoidable disruption by planning our work safely and assessing the risks involved in every job.

We will provide appropriate resources, training, supervision and equipment so that all work is carried out safely and in accordance with relevant legislation and recognised industry best practice within the removals and transportation sector.

Responsibilities and Management

Senior management is responsible for implementing this policy, reviewing it regularly and ensuring that suitable procedures are in place. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day safety management on each job, including briefing staff on any site-specific risks, ensuring safe systems of work are followed and checking that equipment is in good condition.

All employees, including drivers and removal operatives, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff are required to follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents promptly and cooperate fully with any training or instruction provided.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before any removal work is undertaken, appropriate risk assessments will be carried out to identify hazards associated with access routes, stairways, parking, lifting requirements, weather conditions and any unusual items to be moved. These assessments inform the planning of staffing levels, equipment needs and safe lifting or carrying techniques.

Where significant risks are identified, specific control measures will be put in place, such as using additional operatives, employing specialist handling equipment, adjusting the sequence of work or refusing tasks that cannot be made safe. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and updated to reflect changes in work practices or lessons learned from incidents.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling is a core element of our work, and we recognise the potential for strains, sprains and more serious injury if it is not managed correctly. Man and Van Knightsbridge provides training on safe lifting and carrying techniques, team lifting, use of trolleys, dollies and lifting straps, and how to recognise loads that are too heavy or awkward to move manually.

Employees must always assess the weight, shape and stability of any item before lifting, and must not attempt to move items that exceed safe limits or cannot be handled safely with the equipment and personnel available. Wherever practicable, mechanical aids and handling equipment will be used to reduce manual handling risks.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are central to our service, and their safe operation is essential. All vehicles used by Man and Van Knightsbridge will be maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular inspections and servicing in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.

Drivers must hold a valid licence for the vehicles they operate, comply with road traffic laws, and follow company procedures regarding loading, securing of goods, route planning and rest breaks. Loads must be balanced and secured to prevent shifting during transit, and tail-lifts or ramps must be used correctly in accordance with training and manufacturer instructions.

Use of Equipment and Protective Measures

We will provide suitable equipment for removal activities, including trolleys, blankets, straps and where necessary personal protective equipment such as gloves and safety footwear. All equipment will be checked regularly and removed from use if found to be defective.

Employees are required to use the equipment provided, not improvise with unsafe methods, and report any faults immediately. Work areas will be kept as tidy as possible to minimise trip hazards, and items will be stacked or stored in a stable manner during loading and unloading.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams often work in occupied homes, offices and shared spaces. We take care to protect customers, visitors and the general public from risks associated with our activities. This includes managing access routes, clearly identifying trip or slip hazards, and keeping doorways and emergency exits clear wherever possible.

Where work is carried out in shared buildings or busy areas, our teams will take extra care when moving large items, using corridors, lifts and stairways, and will coordinate with building management where required to minimise disruption and risk.

Training, Communication and Consultation

Man and Van Knightsbridge provides induction and ongoing training for all staff covering safe working practices, manual handling, vehicle safety, incident reporting and emergency arrangements. Training needs are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in working practices or equipment.

Employees are encouraged to raise concerns, make suggestions for improving safety and report near misses, so that potential issues can be addressed before an accident occurs. Open communication is central to maintaining a positive safety culture.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries and significant near misses must be reported to management as soon as practicable. Incidents will be recorded, investigated and reviewed so that root causes can be identified and corrective actions taken to prevent recurrence.

Emergency arrangements, including procedures for dealing with injuries, vehicle breakdowns, fire, hazardous conditions and security issues, will be communicated to staff and reviewed regularly. Where we are working on customer sites, our teams will cooperate with the customer’s own emergency procedures.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance, company operations and the outcomes of incident investigations. Man and Van Knightsbridge is committed to continuous improvement in all aspects of health and safety performance, with the aim of providing a reliable, professional and safe removal service in every area we serve.