Health and Safety Policy for Removals Roehampton

Removals Roehampton 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, preventing injury and ill health, and continually improving our safety performance across all services we provide.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, protect property, and ensure that all removal tasks are carried out in a controlled and safe manner. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing sensible control measures, and encouraging a positive safety culture throughout the company.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Removals Roehampton has overall responsibility for ensuring that this Health and Safety Policy is implemented, maintained and reviewed. Management will:

Provide appropriate resources, including equipment, training and supervision, so that work can be carried out safely and without risk to health.

Ensure that safe systems of work are developed for all removal operations, including packing, lifting, loading, transport and unloading.

Make sure that vehicles and equipment used for moving, lifting and transporting goods are maintained in a safe condition and inspected regularly.

Monitor health and safety performance, investigate incidents and near misses, and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.

Regularly review and update this policy to reflect any changes in legislation, guidance or company activities.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff working for Removals Roehampton are expected to:

Follow all health and safety procedures, instructions and training provided by the company.

Use vehicles, tools, lifting equipment, trolleys, protective clothing and any other safety equipment correctly and for their intended purpose.

Report hazards, defects, near misses, accidents or unsafe practices to their manager or supervisor without delay.

Refrain from horseplay, misuse of equipment or any behaviour that could create unnecessary risk in homes, business premises or public areas.

Cooperate fully with any risk assessment, safety inspection or investigation carried out by the company.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Removals Roehampton is committed to carrying out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for all significant hazards associated with removal work. This includes, but is not limited to:

Manual handling of furniture, appliances, boxes and other household or office contents.

Use of lifting aids, trolleys, ramps and other handling equipment.

Vehicle movements, including reversing, parking and loading in residential streets, commercial areas and shared spaces.

Working inside customer properties, communal areas, stairwells and external access routes.

Weather-related risks, such as slippery surfaces, reduced visibility or extreme temperatures.

The findings of risk assessments are used to develop safe working procedures and to implement control measures designed to minimise risk to staff, customers and the public.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of moving services, and Removals Roehampton recognises the potential for injury if tasks are not performed correctly. To reduce these risks, we will:

Provide training on safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of handling aids such as dollies, straps and skates.

Plan moves to avoid unnecessary lifting, including careful packing, stacking and use of wheeled equipment wherever possible.

Assess heavy, awkward or fragile items before moving and determine the safest method, including dismantling furniture where appropriate.

Ensure that employees do not exceed their individual physical capabilities and are encouraged to ask for assistance when needed.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to the provision of removal services and must be operated safely at all times. Removals Roehampton will:

Ensure that all drivers are competent, hold the appropriate licences and receive any additional training required for safe operation.

Carry out regular checks and maintenance on vehicles to ensure they are roadworthy and suitable for the loads carried.

Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking restrictions.

Promote safe loading practices, including secure stowage of furniture and possessions, correct weight distribution and use of restraints.

Customer and Public Safety

Removals Roehampton recognises its responsibility to safeguard customers, visitors, neighbours and the general public during moving operations. We will:

Take reasonable steps to maintain safe access and egress to properties while work is in progress.

Use clear communication with customers to explain any temporary restrictions, hazards or special arrangements needed on the day of the move.

Position vehicles, ramps and equipment to minimise obstruction and reduce risk to pedestrians and other road users.

Maintain professional conduct in and around customer properties, ensuring that safety and respect for the premises are always prioritised.

Training, Information and Supervision

To ensure that health and safety standards are achieved and maintained, Removals Roehampton will provide ongoing training and instruction that is relevant to each role. This may include induction training, on-the-job coaching, toolbox talks and refresher sessions. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring the performance of their teams, providing guidance, and intervening where unsafe practices are identified.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported as soon as possible. Removals Roehampton will investigate incidents to identify root causes, learn lessons and implement improvements. Records of incidents will be maintained in line with legal requirements and will be reviewed to identify trends or recurring issues.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Removals Roehampton encourages open communication about health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise suggestions for improving safety procedures, equipment or work practices. Management will consult with staff when making significant changes that may affect health and safety and will take account of feedback received.

This Health and Safety Policy reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding people and property during all moving and relocation activities. It will be reviewed regularly and revised as necessary to ensure it remains effective and up to date.