Health and Safety policy

Kennington Removals Health and Safety Policy

Kennington Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and relocation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with lifting, loading, transport, access, and other aspects of our operations.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property arising from our work. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to identify hazards, control risks, and comply with applicable health and safety legislation relevant to the moving and removals sector.

Kennington Removals will continually seek to improve health and safety performance by reviewing working practices, encouraging staff reporting and feedback, and updating procedures where necessary.

Management Responsibilities

Company management has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and ensuring adequate resources are available. Management will provide clear instructions, training, and supervision to enable employees to perform their duties safely and competently during all stages of removal work.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that:

All tasks are planned with health and safety in mind, including property access, parking, loading, and unloading arrangements.

Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for removal activities, and appropriate control measures are implemented and communicated.

Incidents, near misses, and hazards are reported, recorded, and investigated so that corrective action can be taken and lessons learned.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees have 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. Every member of staff at Kennington Removals must:

Follow all safety instructions, safe systems of work, and training provided.

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

Cooperate fully with management in the implementation of this policy and related procedures.

Refrain from any reckless or unsafe behaviour, including manual handling techniques that have not been approved or trained.

Report accidents, injuries, near misses, and unsafe conditions without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before undertaking removal work, Kennington Removals will identify and assess potential hazards associated with the job. Typical risks include manual handling of heavy items, trips and falls, vehicle movement, working in confined or cluttered spaces, and operating in residential streets or commercial premises.

Control measures may include:

Planning access routes within properties and on approaches to premises.

Using appropriate lifting techniques, team lifts, and mechanical aids where available.

Ensuring clear communication and coordination among crew members during loading and unloading.

Minimising obstructions and keeping walkways clear of packaging materials and equipment.

Adapting plans to suit specific property types such as flats, narrow staircases, or shared entrances.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal activities, and improper lifting can result in serious injury. Kennington Removals will provide manual handling training appropriate to the tasks undertaken, with emphasis on posture, load assessment, team coordination, and use of handling aids.

Employees must not attempt to lift or move items that are beyond their capability. Heavier or awkward loads must be handled by more than one person or with the assistance of trolleys, straps, or other lifting aids. Staff must take extra care when moving items on stairs, ramps, or uneven ground.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

Safe operation of removal vehicles is essential to protect staff, customers, and the public. Only authorised and competent drivers may operate company vehicles. Drivers must carry out basic pre-use checks and report any defects or concerns immediately.

When operating in residential areas, town centres, and busy streets, drivers and crew members must plan safe stopping points and loading areas, taking account of traffic, pedestrians, and local restrictions where applicable. Reversing manoeuvres must be assisted by a banksman where possible, and extra care must be taken near driveways, schools, and shared access roads.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Kennington Removals takes care to minimise disruption and risk within customer homes, workplaces, and surrounding areas. Our crews will work to protect flooring, walls, and fixtures where reasonably practicable, and to keep routes clear during loading and unloading.

Where work is undertaken in shared buildings, communal areas, or on public footpaths, we will take steps to reduce hazards, such as temporarily cordoning off work zones, providing clear verbal guidance, and organising the sequence of work to limit obstruction.

Equipment, PPE, and Maintenance

Appropriate tools, lifting equipment, and personal protective equipment will be provided where required. This may include gloves, safety footwear, high-visibility garments, and other protective items relevant to the tasks being performed.

All equipment and vehicles must be kept in a safe condition and maintained in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements. Defective or damaged equipment must not be used and must be reported promptly so that it can be repaired or replaced.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Kennington Removals will provide induction training, task-specific instruction, and refresher training where necessary. Training will cover topics relevant to removal work, including manual handling, vehicle safety, working in and around customers properties, and emergency procedures.

Supervision will be provided to ensure that new or less experienced staff are supported and that established staff continue to follow safe systems of work. Information on hazards and controls will be communicated clearly during job planning and daily briefings.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. Records will be maintained and reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Emergency arrangements, including first aid and response to fire or serious injury, will be made known to staff. When operating at customer premises, our team will cooperate with on-site procedures and respond responsibly to any incident.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice, and the nature of our services. Kennington Removals is committed to ongoing improvement in all aspects of health and safety and encourages constructive feedback from employees and customers.