Health and Safety policy

Ealing Removals Health And Safety Policy

Ealing Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our moving and relocation activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all removals, packing, loading, transport and delivery services.

Health and safety is an integral part of our day-to-day operations. We aim to identify and control risks arising from our work, comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and promote a positive safety culture throughout the company.

Policy Aims And Objectives

The main aims of this Health and Safety policy are to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment during removal and relocation work. To achieve this, Ealing Removals will, so far as is reasonably practicable:

Identify, assess and control risks associated with lifting, carrying, vehicle movements, use of equipment and work at customers premises. Provide and maintain safe systems of work, safe equipment and safe working environments. Ensure employees receive appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision. Encourage active participation and feedback from employees to improve health and safety performance. Regularly review the effectiveness of this policy and our arrangements.

Responsibilities For Health And Safety

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Ealing Removals rests with senior management. They are responsible for ensuring that adequate resources, systems and procedures are in place to implement this policy effectively.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation of safe working practices, including planning work, carrying out risk assessments, briefing staff, providing training and checking that procedures are followed.

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. Employees must cooperate with health and safety procedures, use equipment correctly, follow instructions and report hazards, near misses and incidents without delay.

Risk Assessment And Safe Systems Of Work

Ealing Removals carries out risk assessments for typical removal activities, including manual handling of furniture and boxes, use of lifting equipment, vehicle loading, working in stairwells, operating in confined spaces and working in and around customer premises.

Findings from risk assessments are used to develop safe systems of work and method statements. These include guidance on team lifting, route planning within properties, securing loads in vehicles, using protective equipment and controlling access to work areas.

Site-specific risks at customer locations are assessed where necessary. Staff are briefed on particular hazards such as restricted access, uneven surfaces, low ceilings, fragile items and any special requirements identified before or on arrival at the premises.

Manual Handling And Safe Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and presents a significant risk of injury if not properly controlled. Ealing Removals is committed to reducing manual handling risks by:

Planning moves to minimise unnecessary lifting and carrying. Using handling aids such as trolleys, dollies and ramps wherever reasonably practicable. Ensuring loads are within safe limits for individuals and teams. Providing manual handling training, including correct lifting techniques and team coordination. Rotating tasks where practicable to avoid fatigue and overstrain.

Employees must follow safe lifting techniques, avoid taking avoidable risks, and request assistance or equipment when needed. Customers are asked to inform us in advance of any unusual items, excessive weights or access issues that may affect handling risks.

Vehicles, Driving And Road Safety

Ealing Removals maintains vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing. Drivers are required to complete basic safety checks before use, report defects promptly and follow company procedures for vehicle use.

Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit, taking into account weight distribution and the nature of items being transported. Drivers must observe speed limits, driving hours rules and all road traffic regulations, and drive in a manner that prioritises safety over speed or convenience.

Where access to customer addresses is restricted, drivers and team members will agree safe parking and unloading arrangements, taking care to minimise risks to pedestrians, other road users and property.

Equipment, Protective Measures And Housekeeping

All equipment used in removals, including lifting gear, trolleys, ramps and protective coverings, is selected, maintained and used in accordance with manufacturers instructions and relevant safety standards.

Where appropriate, employees are provided with personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear and high visibility clothing. Staff must use such equipment as directed and report any defects immediately.

Good housekeeping is essential during removals work. Walkways should be kept as clear as reasonably practicable, trip hazards minimised, and packing materials or debris regularly collected and disposed of. Particular care is taken on staircases, communal areas and shared access routes.

Working At Customer Premises

Our teams work in homes, offices and other premises where we are guests and where members of the public or other workers may be present. Ealing Removals aims to carry out all work with minimal disruption and maximum safety.

On arrival, the team will identify access routes, highlight any obvious hazards and, where necessary, agree arrangements with the customer to manage risks. This may include restricting access to certain areas while heavy items are being moved or temporarily relocating items that create obstructions.

Customers are asked to cooperate with our staff by keeping pathways clear where possible, advising us about any known hazards, and keeping children, pets and visitors away from active work areas.

Training, Information And Supervision

Ealing Removals provides health and safety training appropriate to each role, including induction training for new starters and refresher training when required. Topics may include manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, incident reporting and emergency procedures.

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that team members understand their instructions, are competent for the tasks assigned and are adequately supervised, especially where staff are new or the work presents higher risks.

Health and safety information is communicated through briefings, toolbox talks and written guidance. Staff are encouraged to raise concerns and suggestions for improving safety.

Incident Reporting And Policy Review

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences that happen during our work must be reported promptly. Ealing Removals investigates incidents to identify causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Records of incidents, training and risk assessments are maintained and used to monitor health and safety performance. Lessons learned are communicated to relevant staff and, where appropriate, incorporated into revised procedures.

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, company operations, industry best practice or identified risks. The current version of the policy is made available to employees and customers on request.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Ealing Removals aims to conduct every move safely, responsibly and with care for everyone involved.