Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Hammersmith Removal Company

This Health and Safety policy sets out how our removal company manages risks to protect employees, customers, contractors, visitors and members of the public during all removal and relocation activities. Our objective is to provide a safe and healthy working environment across all moves, whether domestic or commercial, and to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

Statement of Commitment

Management is fully committed to preventing injury and ill health and to continually improving our health and safety performance. Safety considerations are integrated into planning, scheduling, loading, driving, and handling of furniture and goods. All work activities are assessed for risk, appropriate control measures are implemented, and these controls are regularly reviewed.

Responsibilities

The company directors have overall responsibility for health and safety, including the implementation, monitoring and review of this policy. They ensure that suitable resources, equipment, information, training and supervision are provided so that work can be carried out safely.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day implementation of safety procedures on each job. This includes conducting on-site checks, communicating hazards to staff, enforcing use of protective equipment, and ensuring that vehicles and tools are used correctly.

All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow all safety procedures, use equipment correctly, report any defects or hazards, and cooperate with management in maintaining a safe workplace.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before undertaking removal work, appropriate risk assessments are carried out. These assessments consider access routes, stairways, lifts, parking arrangements, loading areas, road conditions, weather, and any other site-specific hazards. For complex or large-scale removals, a detailed site survey may be completed in advance.

Control measures may include restrictions on manual handling, use of mechanical aids, traffic management at loading points, protection of floors and walls, and planning of safe loading sequences. The results of risk assessments are communicated to all team members involved in the move.

Safe Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is managed carefully to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Staff receive instruction in correct lifting techniques, team lifting, use of handling aids, and recognition of their own physical limits.

Where reasonably practicable, mechanical and handling aids such as sack trucks, dollies, furniture sliders, straps and ramps are used to reduce manual effort. Employees must use such equipment as trained and must not improvise with unsafe methods.

Loads are assessed for weight, size, stability and grip. Items that are too heavy or awkward for safe manual lifting are never handled by a single person. Staff are encouraged to stop and seek assistance if they judge a lift to be unsafe.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

All removal vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, inspected regularly and serviced in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Daily pre-use checks are carried out by drivers, who must report any defects immediately so that they can be addressed before further use.

Drivers are required to hold the appropriate licences and to follow all road traffic regulations, including speed limits and restrictions for larger vehicles. They must drive defensively, plan routes to avoid unnecessary risk, and adapt to traffic and weather conditions.

Loads are secured in vehicles using straps, blankets, bars and other appropriate restraints to prevent shifting during transit. Heavy items are positioned low and evenly distributed to maintain vehicle stability. Overloading is strictly prohibited.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where risks cannot be fully controlled by other means, suitable personal protective equipment is provided. This may include safety footwear, gloves, high visibility clothing and other items relevant to specific tasks or locations.

Employees are required to wear PPE as instructed, keep it in good condition, and report any loss or damage so that replacements can be provided. PPE is regarded as a last line of defence and does not replace safe systems of work.

Customer and Public Safety

During removals we take steps to protect customers, neighbours and members of the public. This includes careful positioning of vehicles, use of cones or signs where appropriate, and maintaining clear walkways free from trip hazards.

Doors, gates and lift doors are managed to prevent collisions, and care is taken when carrying items through shared corridors, stairwells and pavements. Special attention is given to preventing children or pets from entering work areas.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive induction training covering core health and safety responsibilities, company procedures, emergency measures and safe use of vehicles and equipment. Job-specific and refresher training is provided where necessary, including manual handling and working in varied property types.

Information about risks and control measures is communicated through briefings, written instructions and on-site supervision. New or less experienced staff are closely supervised until they demonstrate competence in their tasks.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, injuries, property damage and near misses must be reported at the earliest opportunity. These incidents are recorded and investigated to identify underlying causes and to prevent recurrence. Where necessary, risk assessments and working methods are updated in light of the findings.

We encourage a culture in which employees feel able to raise safety concerns without fear of blame. Lessons learned from incidents are shared with teams to improve overall safety performance.

Emergency Arrangements

Appropriate emergency arrangements are in place for fire, medical emergencies, breakdowns and other foreseeable incidents. Drivers and team leaders have access to emergency contact information and instructions for seeking assistance.

First aid equipment is available in vehicles or at base as appropriate, and nominated staff receive basic first aid training. In the event of serious incidents, work is stopped and the area made safe before operations resume.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes in legislation, operations, equipment or identified risks. Employees are informed of any revisions, and updated procedures are incorporated into training and supervision.

By following this policy and working together, we aim to ensure that every removal is carried out safely and professionally, protecting our staff, our customers and the wider community.