Health and Safety policy
Movers Hammersmith Health and Safety Policy
Movers Hammersmith is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, clients, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and moving services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks, meeting our legal obligations, and continuously improving our standards in all aspects of moving, packing, loading, transportation, and unloading.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The primary aim of this policy is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health. We will do this by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing sensible control measures appropriate to the nature of our removal operations. Our objectives include the promotion of safe working practices, clear communication of responsibilities, and ongoing training and supervision for all team members.
Health and safety considerations are integral to how we plan and deliver each move. We take into account the specific demands of residential and commercial removals, including manual handling of heavy items, vehicle use, and working in varied properties and access conditions.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Movers Hammersmith has overall responsibility for ensuring that effective health and safety arrangements are in place and are regularly reviewed. Management will allocate appropriate resources for implementing this policy, including time, equipment, and training.
Management responsibilities include setting standards and procedures for safe lifting and carrying, use of vehicles and moving equipment, incident reporting, and emergency arrangements. Managers will ensure that risk assessments are completed, actions are followed up, and that the findings are communicated to all affected employees.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has an important role in maintaining a safe working environment. All staff are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their actions or omissions while carrying out removal work.
Employees must follow safety instructions and procedures, use equipment correctly, report any hazards or defects, and immediately notify their supervisor of any accidents, near misses, or incidents. Staff are expected to cooperate with management in the implementation of this policy and to attend any relevant training sessions.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Movers Hammersmith conducts risk assessments for its activities, including packing, dismantling and reassembly of furniture, loading and unloading vehicles, working at height when required, and operating in confined or restricted spaces such as narrow staircases and corridors.
Based on these assessments, we develop and apply safe systems of work. These may include guidance on the maximum weight to be lifted by individuals, the use of team lifting techniques, and the deployment of equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, straps, and ramps. We review risk assessments periodically, or sooner if there are significant changes in our operations or following any incident.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Given the nature of removal services, manual handling is a key health and safety priority. We aim to minimise the need for manual lifting where practicable by using mechanical aids and by planning jobs to reduce unnecessary handling.
All employees engaged in moving goods are instructed in safe manual handling techniques, including correct posture, lifting, carrying, and setting down. Equipment such as trolleys, lifting straps, and protective materials is maintained in good condition, inspected regularly, and used only for its intended purpose. Staff must not use any damaged or faulty equipment and should report defects without delay.
Vehicles, Driving, and Transport Safety
Our vehicles are essential to our removal services and are maintained to a high standard to ensure safety and reliability. Regular inspections and servicing are carried out in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.
Drivers must hold the appropriate valid licence and are expected to follow road traffic laws and company procedures at all times. Loads must be packed and secured properly to prevent movement during transit, and vehicles must not be overloaded. Drivers must carry out basic checks before journeys and report any issues immediately.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Movers Hammersmith provides appropriate health and safety training to employees so they can carry out their duties safely and competently. This includes induction training for new staff and ongoing instruction in areas such as manual handling, safe use of equipment, hazard awareness, and emergency procedures.
Supervisors ensure that less experienced staff are supported and that safe practices are followed on site and during transport. Information about specific risks related to particular jobs, such as fragile items, high value goods, or challenging access, is shared with teams before work begins.
Accidents, Incidents, and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents, and near misses that occur during our moving operations must be reported as soon as possible. This enables us to investigate what happened, provide any necessary medical or practical support, comply with reporting obligations, and identify lessons to prevent recurrence.
We keep records of incidents, review them periodically, and implement corrective actions or additional controls where required. Employees are encouraged to report hazards and near misses without fear of blame, as part of our commitment to a positive safety culture.
Welfare, Health, and Wellbeing
We recognise the importance of overall wellbeing in maintaining safe working practices. Work is planned to minimise excessive physical strain and fatigue, and rest breaks are provided in line with legal and company requirements. Where jobs involve demanding lifting or long hours of driving, we aim to rotate tasks appropriately and manage workloads to protect staff health.
We also seek to create a working environment that is respectful and free from bullying, harassment, or discrimination, as these factors can affect concentration, judgment, and safety.
Visitors, Clients, and Public Safety
Movers Hammersmith takes reasonable steps to protect clients, visitors, and members of the public during removal operations. This includes using clear communication when moving large items, managing access routes, and where necessary, cordoning off work areas or temporarily restricting access while loading or unloading is in progress.
We will cooperate with clients to identify particular hazards at their premises, such as uneven flooring, low ceilings, or restricted parking, and will take appropriate measures to manage these risks.
Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes in legislation, our business activities, or following any serious incident. Feedback from employees, clients, and other stakeholders is welcomed and used to improve our health and safety performance.
By following this policy, Movers Hammersmith aims to deliver professional removal services while safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of everyone involved in or affected by our work.
