Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Removal Company Notting Hill

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of Removal Company Notting Hill to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and relocation activities. We aim to provide a safe working environment for all moves, whether domestic or commercial, and to continually improve our standards.

Company Responsibilities

Removal Company Notting Hill accepts overall responsibility for managing health and safety in connection with our removal operations. Management will ensure that appropriate resources, equipment, information, and supervision are provided so that work is carried out safely and without risk to health.

We will identify hazards, assess the level of risk arising from our activities, and implement effective control measures. We will review and update this policy regularly to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance, and our own working practices.

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. Staff must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, and report any hazards, defects, or concerns to their supervisor without delay.

Employees must not misuse or interfere with anything provided for health and safety purposes, including personal protective equipment, lifting aids, or vehicle safety systems. All staff are expected to cooperate fully with training, risk assessments, and safe systems of work.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before work begins, we will assess the risks associated with removal activities, including but not limited to manual handling, loading and unloading vehicles, driving, working at height when required, and operating in shared or public spaces.

Findings from risk assessments will be used to develop safe systems of work for:

Planning and scheduling removals to reduce time pressure and fatigue.

Carrying out pre-move surveys to identify access issues, parking arrangements, and special handling requirements.

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

Securing loads in vehicles to prevent shifting during transit.

Managing entry and exit routes safely in homes, offices, and communal areas.

These procedures will be communicated to all relevant employees and will be reviewed periodically or after any incident or near miss.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant part of removal work. We will minimise the risk of injury by:

Providing manual handling training covering posture, lifting techniques, and the use of team lifts.

Using trolleys, dollies, straps, and other handling aids wherever reasonably practicable.

Planning routes to avoid unnecessary carrying and to remove trip hazards before lifting begins.

Ensuring that loads are kept within safe weight limits and that staff are not expected to move items beyond their capability.

All equipment used for lifting, securing, or transporting items will be inspected regularly and maintained in safe working order.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles will be maintained, serviced, and inspected in line with manufacturer recommendations and applicable road safety requirements. Drivers must hold valid licences and be authorised to operate company vehicles.

We will promote safe driving practices by:

Allowing adequate time for journeys and loading.

Discouraging the use of mobile devices while driving.

Ensuring loads are evenly distributed and properly secured.

Considering local parking and access conditions to reduce the risk of accidents or obstruction.

Any vehicle defects or incidents must be reported immediately and investigated where appropriate.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our work often takes place in homes, offices, and shared buildings. We will take reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors, and the public by:

Keeping walkways as clear as possible during moves.

Using warning signs or verbal warnings where there is a risk from moving large items.

Taking care to prevent damage to property and to identify any existing structural or access issues during the pre-move survey.

Managing noise, dust, or disruption so far as is reasonably practicable during removal operations.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Removal Company Notting Hill will provide all necessary health and safety training relevant to our operations, including induction training for new staff and refresher training where required.

Employees will receive clear instructions on the safe use of equipment, vehicles, and packing materials, as well as procedures for working in confined spaces, stairwells, or other challenging environments.

Supervisors will monitor working practices, correct unsafe behaviour, and provide guidance to ensure that risk controls are implemented on every job.

Accidents, Incidents, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, injuries, incidents, and near misses must be reported promptly to management. Records will be kept and reviewed to identify trends and areas for improvement.

Where required, we will carry out a formal investigation to determine root causes and to implement additional control measures. Lessons learned will be shared with relevant staff and reflected in updated procedures and training.

Health, Welfare, and Fitness for Work

We recognise that removal work can be physically demanding. We will encourage staff to maintain good health, report any medical conditions that may affect their ability to work safely, and take appropriate rest breaks to manage fatigue.

Where reasonably practicable, we will adapt tasks or provide additional support for employees with specific needs, ensuring that safety is not compromised.

Monitoring and Policy Review

Compliance with this Health and Safety Policy will be monitored through regular inspections, audits, and feedback from staff and customers. We will review the policy annually, or sooner if there are significant changes in our operations, legislation, or following a major incident.

By working together and following this policy, Removal Company Notting Hill aims to deliver professional removal services while safeguarding the wellbeing of everyone involved in our moves.