Removals Brompton Health and Safety Policy

Removals Brompton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers 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 removals, packing, loading, transport and delivery of household and commercial goods.

We recognise our duties under relevant health and safety legislation and industry guidance. Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm through effective planning, training, supervision and continuous improvement.

Health and Safety Aims

Our main aims are to:

Identify, assess and control risks associated with removals work, transport operations and storage activities.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, tools and materials.

Ensure all staff receive appropriate instruction, information, training and supervision.

Encourage a positive safety culture where everyone takes responsibility for their own safety and that of others.

Respond promptly and effectively to incidents, near misses and customer concerns.

Review and improve our health and safety management arrangements on a regular basis.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Removals Brompton is responsible for implementing this policy and allocating sufficient resources to health and safety. Management will:

Ensure risk assessments are carried out for key activities including manual handling, working in and around vehicles, operating lifting equipment, and working at customers premises.

Provide safe systems of work and clear procedures for staff to follow.

Maintain vehicles and equipment in a safe condition through planned inspections, servicing and repairs.

Appoint competent persons to provide health and safety advice and support.

Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage feedback.

Investigate accidents and near misses, recording findings and introducing corrective actions where necessary.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, including temporary and contract staff, share responsibility for health and safety. Employees must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.

Follow training, instructions and safe working procedures provided by Removals Brompton.

Use vehicles, equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.

Cooperate fully with management in meeting legal and company health and safety requirements.

Report hazards, incidents, near misses or unsafe conditions without delay to their supervisor or manager.

Never misuse equipment or undertake tasks for which they have not been trained or authorised.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments that consider the typical hazards associated with our removals and transport operations. These include manual handling, slips, trips and falls, vehicle movements, loading and unloading, use of lifting aids, and working in customers homes or business premises.

From these risk assessments, we establish safe working practices such as:

Planning each removal job in advance, considering access routes, parking, loading areas and any special risks at the property.

Using team lifting techniques and mechanical aids where possible to reduce the risk of back injuries and strains.

Ensuring items are stacked and secured safely in vehicles to prevent movement during transport.

Keeping work areas, vehicle loading points and walkways clear of obstructions to minimise slips, trips and falls.

Stopping work in the event of unsafe conditions, such as severe weather, inadequate lighting or unsafe access.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Removals work involves frequent manual handling. To manage these risks, Removals Brompton will:

Provide manual handling training that covers lifting techniques, team handling, use of trolleys, ramps and other aids, and recognising personal limits.

Assess heavy, awkward or high-value items in advance and plan suitable handling methods.

Provide appropriate equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, straps, moving blankets and protective covers, ensuring they are maintained and inspected.

Discourage lone lifting of heavy or bulky items and insist on team lifts where necessary.

Encourage staff to speak up if they believe a lift or task cannot be carried out safely.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our drivers and vehicles are central to our removals service. To support safe driving and transport operations, we will:

Ensure all drivers hold the correct licence for the vehicles they operate and are medically fit to drive.

Carry out regular checks on vehicles, including brakes, tyres, lights and securing systems, in line with manufacturers guidance and legal requirements.

Plan routes to allow safe access to customers premises and avoid unnecessary risks where possible.

Set expectations for safe driving behaviour, including observance of speed limits, securing loads correctly and avoiding distractions.

Discourage excessive working hours and encourage drivers to take adequate rest breaks.

Customers, Visitors and Public Safety

We aim to protect customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our operations. We will:

Communicate clearly with customers about arrival times, access needs and any safety considerations within their property.

Use caution signs or verbal warnings if there are trip hazards, open vehicle doors, loading ramps or other temporary risks.

Keep children, pets and other non-essential persons away from moving vehicles, lifting activities and loading areas where possible.

Ensure that any waste materials or packaging we create are cleared promptly to reduce hazards.

Training, Communication and Supervision

Removals Brompton provides training appropriate to the role and level of risk, including induction training, job-specific training for porters and drivers, and refresher training as needed. We communicate safety information through briefings, toolbox talks, written procedures and on-the-job supervision.

Supervisors are responsible for monitoring working practices, correcting unsafe behaviour and supporting new or less experienced staff. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns or suggestions for improving safety at any time.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported promptly. We will record and investigate these events to identify causes and prevent recurrence.

Emergency procedures, including fire safety, first aid arrangements and emergency contacts, are communicated to staff. At customers premises, staff must familiarise themselves with exits, fire alarm points and any specific rules before work begins.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when there are changes in legislation, guidance, operations or following significant incidents. The latest version of the policy is made available to employees and can be provided to customers upon request.

By working together and following this policy, Removals Brompton aims to deliver a professional removals service while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved.