Health and Safety policy
Kennington Movers Health and Safety Policy
Kennington Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public affected by our removal services. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with packing, lifting, loading, transporting, and unloading household and commercial goods.
We recognise our responsibility to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and to continually improve our safety performance. All staff are expected to co-operate in implementing this policy and ensuring that health and safety remains a core part of our removals operations.
Policy Objectives
Kennington Movers aims to:
Identify, assess, and control risks associated with removal activities, including packing, moving, transport, and storage. Provide and maintain safe equipment, vehicles, and working systems. Ensure all employees are properly trained, informed, and supervised to carry out their roles safely. Minimise the risk of injury and ill health to staff, customers, and the public. Promote a positive safety culture and encourage reporting of hazards, near misses, and incidents. Review and update health and safety arrangements regularly to reflect operational changes and best practice.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for implementing this policy and integrating health and safety considerations into business planning and day-to-day operations. This includes:
Ensuring that adequate resources are allocated for health and safety measures, including training, equipment, and protective gear. Putting in place clear procedures for safe working, incident reporting, and emergency response. Conducting and reviewing risk assessments for all major activities, such as manual handling, working in confined or elevated spaces, and vehicle movements. Monitoring health and safety performance and responding promptly to identified issues.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Kennington Movers share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Staff must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided by the company. Use equipment, vehicles, and protective gear correctly and report any defects or concerns immediately. Refrain from unsafe practices, horseplay, or any behaviour that may increase risk. Report accidents, near misses, hazards, and unsafe conditions to their supervisor as soon as practicable.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Kennington Movers conducts risk assessments for key aspects of our removal services to identify potential hazards and appropriate control measures. These assessments cover, as a minimum:
Manual handling of furniture, appliances, and boxes. Use of lifting aids, trolleys, and moving equipment. Vehicle loading and unloading, including securing loads for transport. Access to and from properties, including stairs, narrow corridors, and external pathways. Working on or near roads, driveways, and shared access spaces. Weather-related risks, such as wet or icy surfaces.
Safe systems of work are implemented based on these assessments, and staff are expected to follow the defined procedures at all times.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of our operations and requires particular care. To reduce the risk of injury:
Staff receive training in correct lifting techniques and team lifting practices. Loads are assessed before lifting to determine weight, size, and stability. Where appropriate, mechanical aids and moving equipment such as dollies, sack trucks, and straps are used. Items are packed and stacked to minimise strain and to maintain clear visibility while carrying. Staff are instructed not to attempt lifts beyond their capability and to request assistance when needed.
All equipment and lifting aids are maintained, inspected regularly, and removed from service if found to be defective.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are maintained to a safe standard and used in a way that protects both employees and the public. Kennington Movers will:
Ensure regular inspection and servicing of vehicles in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements. Provide training for drivers on safe driving, load securing, and route planning. Require drivers to observe all road traffic laws and drive with due care and attention. Ensure that loads are distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit. Prohibit the use of vehicles by staff who are unfit to drive due to illness, fatigue, alcohol, drugs, or medication that impairs driving ability.
Customer and Public Safety
Kennington Movers recognises its duty to protect customers and members of the public who may be affected by our work. To achieve this, we:
Plan moves to minimise disruption and hazards around entrances, hallways, stairwells, pavements, and shared spaces. Keep access routes as clear as reasonably practicable and use clear communication to highlight potential hazards. Take care when handling customers belongings to prevent damage that could create safety risks. Avoid creating trip hazards, such as unsecured ramps, trailing straps, and loose packing materials.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment will be provided. This may include safety footwear, gloves, high-visibility clothing, and other items relevant to specific tasks. Employees must use the protective equipment provided in accordance with training and instructions.
Training, Supervision, and Communication
Kennington Movers provides training and information to ensure staff understand the hazards associated with their roles and the safe methods of working required. This includes induction training for new staff and periodic refresher training. Supervisors monitor working practices on site, correct unsafe behaviour, and provide guidance where needed. Health and safety information is communicated to staff through briefings, notices, and updates as necessary.
Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly. Kennington Movers maintains records of such events and investigates them to identify causes and corrective actions. Findings from investigations are used to improve procedures, training, and equipment in order to prevent recurrence.
Monitoring and Review of Policy
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, equipment, or relevant legislation. Revisions are communicated to all staff, and updated procedures are implemented as required. Kennington Movers is committed to continually improving the safety of our removal services and welcomes feedback from employees and customers on any aspect of health and safety.
