London Removals and Storage is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health, safety and welfare for our employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks in all aspects of our removals and storage services, including domestic moves, commercial relocations, packing, loading, transport and warehouse operations.
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our activities. We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and are committed to continuous improvement in our safety performance.
To achieve this, London Removals and Storage will identify and assess workplace risks, implement appropriate control measures, provide adequate information, instruction, training and supervision, maintain safe systems of work and equipment, and consult with employees on health and safety matters.
Directors and senior managers have overall responsibility for implementing this health and safety policy and ensuring that adequate resources are made available. They will provide clear leadership and support to promote a positive safety culture across all removal and storage operations.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation of safe working practices, carrying out risk assessments, ensuring staff follow agreed procedures, investigating accidents and near misses, and taking prompt action to remedy any hazards identified.
All employees have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff must follow company safety procedures and training, use equipment correctly, cooperate with management on safety matters and report any hazards, incidents or near misses without delay.
Employees are expected to never misuse or interfere with anything provided for health, safety or welfare, and to notify their manager immediately if they believe any work situation presents a serious and imminent danger.
London Removals and Storage will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for all significant hazards associated with our removal and storage services. These assessments will cover activities such as manual handling of furniture and boxes, use of vehicles and lifting equipment, working at height, packing and unpacking, and warehouse operations.
Based on these assessments we will develop and implement safe systems of work, including method statements for complex or higher risk moves. Risk assessments and procedures will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are changes in work practices, equipment or legislation.
Manual handling is a core aspect of removals work and carries a risk of musculoskeletal injury. London Removals and Storage will minimise these risks by providing appropriate training in safe lifting techniques and team handling, using mechanical aids such as trolleys and lifting equipment where practicable, planning moves to reduce unnecessary carrying distances and avoiding unsafe loads or postures.
Employees must follow the principles of safe handling at all times, assess loads before lifting, ask for assistance when needed and use provided equipment correctly.
Safe operation of company vehicles is essential to our business. Only authorised, competent and licensed drivers may operate removal vehicles. Vehicles will be maintained in a roadworthy condition and subject to regular inspections.
Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, company driving standards, loading and unloading procedures, and rules on rest breaks and fatigue management. Loads must be secured properly to prevent movement during transit, and routes will be planned with safety and access in mind.
All equipment, tools and machinery used in removals and storage operations will be selected, maintained and inspected to ensure they are safe and suitable for their intended use. Defective or damaged equipment must be taken out of service immediately and reported to a manager.
Where risks cannot be controlled by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment will be provided, such as safety footwear, gloves, high visibility clothing or other items as required. Employees must use and look after this equipment as instructed and report any defects or losses.
Where work at height is unavoidable, suitable equipment such as steps, platforms or access ramps will be used and maintained in good condition. London Removals and Storage will avoid unsafe practices such as climbing on unstable surfaces or using inappropriate items as access tools.
Only trained and authorised personnel may use specialised access or lifting equipment. All work at height will be planned and supervised to minimise the risk of falls or falling objects.
Our storage facilities will be managed to provide safe access, clearly defined walkways and appropriate segregation between vehicles, equipment and pedestrians. Racking and storage systems will be designed, loaded and inspected in accordance with safety requirements.
Housekeeping standards will be maintained to reduce slips, trips and falls, with clear emergency exits and unobstructed escape routes at all times.
London Removals and Storage does not normally transport hazardous substances beyond those commonly found in homes or offices. Customers are informed about prohibited or restricted items to reduce risks related to flammable, corrosive or otherwise dangerous goods.
Where substances such as cleaning products or fuels are encountered, they will be handled in accordance with safety data and control measures identified through risk assessment.
All staff will receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their role, including manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, emergency procedures and general health and safety awareness.
Supervisors will monitor the work of employees to ensure that training is applied in practice and that safe systems of work are followed. Additional training will be provided where new risks or procedures are introduced.
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly and recorded in accordance with company procedures. London Removals and Storage will investigate these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Where required by law, incidents will be reported to the relevant enforcing authorities. Lessons learned will be communicated to staff and used to improve our safety management system.
London Removals and Storage will maintain suitable emergency arrangements for fire, accidents, vehicle incidents and other foreseeable emergencies. Staff will be briefed on evacuation procedures and the location of emergency equipment.
Adequate first aid provisions will be available at our premises and in vehicles as appropriate. Trained first aiders will be appointed where required and employees informed of how to access first aid assistance.
We value the involvement of our employees in health and safety matters. London Removals and Storage will consult with staff on proposed changes that may affect their health and safety and encourage suggestions for improvements.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, our operations or lessons learned from incidents. The latest version will be made available to all employees and to customers on request.
