South Lambeth Health and Safety Policy for Removal Services

This Health and Safety policy sets out how our South Lambeth based removal service protects employees, contractors, customers, visitors and members of the public from harm. The policy applies to all activities carried out by the company, including home removals, office relocations, packing services, loading and unloading, and the transport of goods.

We are committed to maintaining high standards of safety, wellbeing and professionalism. Health and Safety is an integral part of our planning, daily operations and decision-making processes. Every worker, regardless of role or status, is expected to play an active part in maintaining a safe working environment.

General Health and Safety Objectives

Our objectives are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and disruption to our customers. We aim to identify hazards, assess risks and implement proportionate control measures to manage them. Continuous improvement is central to this policy, and we regularly review our working practices to reduce risk wherever reasonably practicable.

We recognise our duty to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and accepted industry standards relating to the removals and transport sector. This includes safe manual handling, correct use of vehicles and equipment, and the appropriate storage, lifting and movement of customers belongings.

Roles and Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for Health and Safety lies with the company management, who ensure adequate resources, time and investment are allocated to safety planning and implementation. Managers are responsible for communicating the contents of this policy, conducting risk assessments and monitoring performance.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for enforcing safe systems of work on site and on the road. They must ensure that staff follow agreed procedures, use equipment correctly, and report any concerns without delay.

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes cooperating with instructions, using protective equipment provided, and reporting hazards, accidents, incidents or near misses promptly.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before starting a job, we assess the risks associated with each removal project. This may include consideration of access routes, stairs, lifts, parking, weather conditions, load weights, fragile items and any special customer requirements. Where significant risks are identified, we implement safe systems of work and, where necessary, adapt our methods or equipment.

Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to work activities, equipment, workplaces or legal requirements. The findings are communicated to staff through briefings, training sessions and job-specific instructions.

Manual Handling and Safe Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is treated as a high priority. We minimise manual handling risks by using appropriate equipment, planning loads, and encouraging team lifts where individual handling would be unsafe.

Staff receive instruction in safe lifting techniques, including assessing the load, maintaining good posture, lifting with the legs, avoiding twisting and keeping the load close to the body. Heavy or awkward items are moved using trolleys, dollies, removal straps, ramps or other aids. Where a load is beyond safe manual handling limits, we refuse to move it until a safer method is available.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and inspected regularly. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence for the vehicles they operate and follow all road traffic rules and company driving policies.

Load security is essential for the safety of employees, customers and the public. Items are packed and restrained in vehicles to prevent movement during transit. Drivers must check that loads are stable, weight is evenly distributed and access ways are clear before departure.

We encourage safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, avoidance of distraction, suitable rest breaks on longer journeys and caution in adverse weather conditions or when manoeuvring in confined residential streets and busy local roads.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

All equipment, including trolleys, lifting straps, blankets, ramps and tools, is inspected and maintained so it remains fit for purpose. Defective equipment must be removed from service immediately and reported for repair or replacement.

Where required, personal protective equipment such as gloves, high visibility clothing or safety footwear is provided. Employees are expected to wear and care for this equipment as instructed and to report loss or damage without delay.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, neighbours and members of the public while working at domestic and commercial premises. Access routes are kept as clear as practicable, and trip hazards such as loose packing materials, trailing straps or ramp edges are controlled and monitored.

Where work may affect shared corridors, pavements or parking areas, we take reasonable steps to provide adequate warning and to minimise obstruction. We handle customers belongings with care to avoid damage to property, fixtures and fittings that may create secondary hazards.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive induction training on Health and Safety, including this policy, emergency procedures and the specific hazards associated with removal work. Ongoing training is provided to keep skills current, with refresher sessions where necessary.

Supervision is proportionate to the experience and competence of staff. New or inexperienced workers are closely supervised, particularly while performing high-risk tasks such as heavy lifting, use of equipment or driving larger vehicles.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. We investigate these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Records are maintained in accordance with legal and company requirements.

Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as fire, vehicle breakdowns, injuries, hazardous spillages and security issues. Staff are briefed on how to respond calmly and effectively, including how to summon assistance and make the area safe.

Health, Welfare and Wellbeing

We recognise that the physical nature of removal work can be demanding. We encourage staff to raise any health concerns that could affect their ability to work safely, such as musculoskeletal conditions, fatigue or stress.

Reasonable adjustments may be made where appropriate to protect individual workers and to ensure tasks are allocated in a way that avoids excessive strain. Adequate rest breaks, access to drinking water and appropriate facilities are provided during working days.

Consultation and Review

We consult with employees on Health and Safety matters, encouraging feedback on working methods, equipment and risk controls. Suggestions for improvement are welcomed and considered as part of ongoing risk management.

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with current legal and industry standards. Changes are communicated to all staff, and updated versions are made available for reference.

By working together and following this policy, we aim to provide a safe, reliable and professional removal service throughout the South Lambeth area and beyond.