Hampstead Removals Health and Safety Policy

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

We recognise our responsibilities under relevant UK health and safety legislation and are committed to continuous improvement in our safety performance. Health and safety is an integral part of our planning and decision making for every move, whether domestic or commercial.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary health and safety objectives are to:

Prevent injury and ill health arising from our removal activities.

Comply with all applicable health and safety laws and guidance.

Identify hazards and control risks through effective risk assessment.

Provide safe systems of work, safe equipment and suitable protective measures.

Ensure staff are competent through information, instruction, training and supervision.

Promote a positive safety culture and encourage the reporting of hazards and near misses.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Hampstead Removals has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring adequate resources are provided to maintain high standards of health and safety.

Management will:

Set clear safety standards and review them regularly.

Ensure that risk assessments are carried out for typical removal tasks, including manual handling, use of vehicles, operation of lifting equipment and work at height.

Provide and maintain suitable vehicles, tools and equipment in safe working condition.

Ensure that staff receive appropriate health and safety training and refresher instruction.

Investigate accidents and incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Consult with employees on health and safety issues and encourage feedback on improvements.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees have an important role in maintaining high health and safety standards. Every member of staff is expected to:

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

Follow all safe working procedures, training and instructions provided.

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

Report accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions to their supervisor as soon as possible.

Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and participate in safety briefings and training.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Hampstead Removals carries out risk assessments for key removal and relocation activities. These assessments consider potential hazards such as manual handling strains, slips and trips, falling objects, vehicle movements, work in and around client premises and contact with the public.

Based on these assessments, we develop and implement safe systems of work that may include:

Pre-move surveys to identify access issues, parking constraints and specific risks at properties and sites.

Agreed loading and unloading procedures to prevent overloading and imbalance of vehicles.

Use of appropriate equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, ramps, furniture blankets and securing straps.

Clear walkways and safe stacking of items to reduce the risk of trips and falling loads.

Communication protocols between drivers and porters when manoeuvring vehicles near buildings and pedestrians.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is a major focus of our health and safety management. We aim to minimise the need for hazardous lifting and handling wherever reasonably practicable.

We provide training on correct lifting techniques, team lifting, use of handling aids and recognition of personal limits. Employees are instructed to:

Assess the load and route before lifting or moving any item.

Seek assistance or use mechanical aids for heavy or awkward loads.

Avoid twisting while carrying loads and maintain stable footing at all times.

Stop and request changes where conditions are unsafe, such as obstructed stairways or wet surfaces.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Regular checks are carried out to ensure that brakes, tyres, lights and safety equipment are in good order.

Drivers are required to:

Hold the appropriate, valid licence for the vehicle they operate.

Carry out pre-use checks and report any defects before beginning a journey.

Follow road traffic laws, speed limits and company driving guidelines.

Secure loads properly to prevent movement during transit.

Plan routes to reduce unnecessary risks, taking account of access restrictions and local conditions.

Working on Client Premises

We recognise our responsibility to protect clients, their property and any third parties while working on premises. Our teams will:

Introduce themselves on arrival and agree safe access routes with the client or site contact.

Place warning signs or barriers where reasonably practicable when work may affect others.

Protect floors, walls and fixtures where necessary to prevent damage and reduce slip hazards.

Maintain good housekeeping, keeping access ways clear and removing waste materials promptly.

Respect any specific site rules or safety requirements that apply.

Training, Information and Supervision

All new employees receive an induction that includes our health and safety rules and expectations. Task-specific training is provided for activities such as manual handling, use of any lifting aids and safe driving practices.

Supervisors monitor work on site to ensure that safe systems are followed and to provide support and guidance. Refresher training is provided periodically or when there are changes in work practices or equipment.

Accident, Incident and Near-Miss Reporting

Hampstead Removals encourages prompt reporting of all accidents, incidents and near misses, regardless of severity. This enables us to investigate, learn lessons and put in place measures to prevent recurrence.

Records of incidents and any resulting actions are retained and reviewed by management to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, company operations or identified risks. The latest version is made available to employees and can be provided to clients on request.

All employees are required to familiarise themselves with this policy and to work in accordance with its principles at all times. By working together, we aim to ensure that removal services are carried out safely and responsibly for everyone involved.