Health and Safety policy
Removals Lambeth Health and Safety Policy
Removals Lambeth is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health, safety and welfare for our employees, customers, visitors, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and associated services. We aim to manage our activities so that risks are identified, controlled and, where reasonably practicable, eliminated.
Policy Aim and Scope
This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to safeguard people, property and the environment during removals operations, loading and unloading, packing, storage handling and transportation. It applies to all employees, agency staff, contractors and any other persons working under our control at customer premises, on the road, and at any facilities we use.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Removals Lambeth accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance. Management will provide clear leadership, set objectives, make adequate resources available and ensure that this policy is implemented, maintained and periodically reviewed.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for:
Ensuring safe systems of work are developed, communicated and followed during all removals tasks. Checking that vehicles, lifting equipment and tools are suitable, properly maintained and inspected. Planning work to minimise risks from manual handling, working at height, traffic movements and other foreseeable hazards. Investigating incidents, near misses and hazards, and implementing corrective actions.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a legal and moral duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must cooperate with Removals Lambeth in carrying out this policy.
Employees are expected to:
Follow safety instructions, training and documented procedures at all times. Use vehicles, tools and equipment only for their intended purpose and in accordance with training. Report hazards, defects, near misses, accidents and ill health promptly to their manager. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment where required and look after any items issued to them. Refrain from any behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers or the public.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Removals Lambeth undertakes risk assessments for its operations to identify hazards and implement control measures. The findings of these assessments are used to create safe systems of work for typical removal tasks, including domestic and commercial moves.
Key considerations include:
Manual handling of furniture, boxes and equipment, with an emphasis on avoiding unnecessary lifting, using mechanical aids and team handling techniques. Planning access routes, assessing staircases, corridors and doorways, and preventing trips, slips and falls. Safe use of trolleys, ramps, lifting straps and other handling equipment. Vehicle loading, securing of loads and prevention of falls from vehicles. Protection of customers property and the prevention of damage that could create additional hazards.
Manual Handling and Musculoskeletal Health
Manual handling is a significant part of removals work and presents potential risks of strain and injury. Removals Lambeth will minimise these risks by:
Providing training in safe lifting and carrying techniques and in the use of handling aids. Encouraging staff to assess each load before lifting and to refuse tasks that are beyond safe capability. Organising work so that heavy or awkward items are shared between team members. Rotating tasks where practical to avoid repetitive strain. Reviewing incidents and feedback to improve manual handling methods.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our removals vehicles are essential to our service and must be operated safely at all times. We will ensure that vehicles are regularly inspected, maintained and kept in a roadworthy condition. Drivers must hold the appropriate licences and follow company driving standards.
Drivers and crew members are responsible for:
Conducting pre use checks and reporting defects immediately. Loading vehicles safely, evenly distributing weight and securing items to prevent movement in transit. Complying with speed limits, parking rules and safe driving practices in residential and commercial areas. Planning routes and schedules to avoid unnecessary time pressure and fatigue.
Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
Removals Lambeth will provide suitable equipment for lifting, carrying and protecting goods and property. Where risks remain after other controls have been applied, appropriate personal protective equipment will be supplied, such as gloves, safety footwear and high visibility clothing.
All equipment and personal protective equipment must be used and maintained in accordance with training and manufacturer instructions, and any damage or defects must be reported without delay.
Training, Information and Supervision
We recognise that competent and informed staff are essential for safe removals operations. Removals Lambeth will provide initial induction training for new employees, ongoing task specific training, and refresher training as necessary.
Training will cover, as relevant to each role, manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, hazard awareness, emergency procedures and customer property protection. Supervisors will monitor working practices, provide guidance on site and intervene where unsafe behaviours or conditions are observed.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported as soon as possible. Removals Lambeth will keep records, investigate causes and take action to prevent recurrence. Where necessary, incidents will be reported to the relevant enforcing authorities in accordance with legal requirements.
Emergency procedures will be communicated to staff, including actions to take in the event of fire, serious injury, vehicle collision or other significant events during removals work. Employees must familiarise themselves with these procedures and cooperate fully during any emergency.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Removals Lambeth is committed to consulting with employees on health and safety matters and encouraging feedback on how working practices can be improved. We will review this policy regularly, and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, to ensure it remains suitable and effective.
Through ongoing assessment, training and communication, we aim to provide removals services that are not only efficient and reliable, but also carried out in a way that protects the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.
