West Hampstead Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, clients and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, packing, loading, unloading, transportation and storage services.
We recognise our legal and moral responsibilities to prevent injury and ill health and to protect the welfare of everyone involved in or impacted by our operations. Health and safety is an integral part of our business planning and decision making.
The aims of this Health and Safety Policy are to:
Identify, assess and control risks arising from our removal and relocation activities.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and work systems.
Ensure employees are trained, competent and supervised for the tasks they undertake.
Promote a positive safety culture, where all staff feel responsible for their own safety and that of others.
Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry guidance.
Continuously improve our health and safety performance through monitoring, review and learning from experience.
Senior management retains overall responsibility for health and safety within West Hampstead Removals. Management will ensure that adequate resources, including time, personnel and equipment, are made available to implement this policy effectively.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for:
Implementing this policy within their areas of control.
Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, acted upon and kept up to date.
Providing appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses and ensuring corrective actions are taken.
Leading by example and promoting safe working practices at all times.
All employees, including temporary and agency staff, have a personal responsibility to safeguard their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Employees are expected to:
Follow all safety instructions, safe systems of work and company procedures.
Use equipment, tools, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly and as trained.
Report hazards, defects, near misses, accidents and incidents promptly to their supervisor.
Cooperate with management on health and safety matters, including attending training and briefings.
Refrain from any behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues or members of the public.
We carry out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for our activities, including but not limited to property surveys, packing, dismantling and assembling furniture, handling heavy or bulky items, operating vehicles and working in and around client premises.
Findings from risk assessments are used to develop safe systems of work and method statements, which are communicated to all relevant staff. These may include arrangements for access and egress, manual handling techniques, use of lifting aids, safe stacking and securing of loads, and controls for working in confined or restricted spaces.
Risk assessments are reviewed regularly, and whenever there are significant changes to work processes, equipment, locations or legislation.
Because lifting and carrying is a core element of removals work, particular emphasis is placed on safe manual handling. All staff involved in handling items receive training in correct lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling aids.
We provide and maintain appropriate equipment for the safe movement and protection of goods, such as moving blankets, ramps, barrows and securing systems in vehicles. All equipment is inspected regularly and any defective items are taken out of service immediately until repaired or replaced.
Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular inspections and servicing carried out in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Drivers are required to perform basic pre-use checks and to report any defects without delay.
Only trained and authorised employees are permitted to drive company vehicles. Drivers must follow company driving standards, including adherence to speed limits, parking rules, safe loading and unloading practices, and regulations on driving hours and rest breaks where applicable.
Loads must be distributed and secured safely to prevent movement during transit, and care must be taken when operating in residential streets, commercial premises, busy urban areas and shared access spaces.
When working at client premises, our teams will respect the property and surroundings, taking reasonable steps to prevent damage, obstruction or risk to occupants, neighbours and members of the public.
We will plan access routes where practical, minimise trip hazards such as loose packing materials, and clearly communicate any temporary restrictions on access. Where necessary, we will cordon off work areas or use warning signs to alert others to moving goods or vehicles.
West Hampstead Removals provides all necessary health and safety training relevant to each role, including induction training for new starters, refresher training and task-specific instruction. Topics may include manual handling, safe vehicle operation, equipment use, emergency procedures and client care.
Supervisors ensure that less experienced employees are monitored and supported, and are not asked to perform tasks for which they are not trained or competent.
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported and recorded in accordance with company procedures. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and to implement measures to prevent recurrence.
Emergency procedures cover incidents such as fire, serious injury, chemical spills from vehicle fluids, and other events that may arise during removal operations. Employees are briefed on evacuation routes, assembly points and methods of summoning emergency services when required.
We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about working practices and risk control measures.
Updates to procedures, lessons learned from incidents and changes arising from new equipment or services are communicated through briefings, toolbox talks and written instructions where appropriate.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly, and at least annually, to ensure it remains current, effective and aligned with our business activities. Reviews also take into account feedback from employees and clients, changes in legislation and developments in industry best practice.
West Hampstead Removals is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and to providing professional removal services that protect our teams, our clients and the wider community.
