Health and Safety policy
Removal Van Chiswick Health and Safety Policy
Removal Van Chiswick is committed to providing a professional, safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and arrangements by which we manage risks associated with removals, transportation and handling of goods.
We recognise our responsibilities under applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice, and we aim to continually improve our standards to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and disruption throughout our service areas.
Policy Objectives
The objectives of this Health and Safety policy are to:
Identify, assess and control risks associated with removals, loading, unloading and transportation of goods.
Provide clear instructions, information, training and supervision to ensure all activities are carried out safely.
Promote a positive health and safety culture in which all staff understand their responsibilities and are encouraged to report hazards and suggest improvements.
Comply with all relevant legal requirements and applicable codes of practice.
Protect the health, safety and welfare of our employees, customers and others affected by our operations in all service locations.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Removal Van Chiswick is responsible for implementing, maintaining and reviewing this Health and Safety policy. This includes:
Ensuring that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for all key tasks, including manual handling, driving, loading and unloading, working in and around customer premises, and handling fragile or heavy items.
Providing appropriate equipment, vehicles and tools that are safe, well maintained and suitable for the tasks undertaken.
Ensuring that all employees receive adequate induction and ongoing training in health and safety procedures and safe working practices.
Allocating appropriate resources to support health and safety initiatives and improvements.
Monitoring performance, investigating incidents and near-misses, and taking corrective action to prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Removal Van Chiswick has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are expected to:
Follow all safety instructions, training and procedures provided by the company.
Use vehicles, equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Practice safe manual handling techniques, especially when lifting, carrying or moving heavy or awkward items during removals.
Report hazards, unsafe conditions, near-misses, accidents or concerns to their supervisor without delay.
Cooperate fully with any incident investigations, safety inspections or health and safety improvement initiatives.
Refrain from using alcohol, drugs or any substances that could impair performance and safety.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Removal Van Chiswick conducts risk assessments for typical tasks involved in moving services. These assessments are used to develop safe systems of work which are communicated to staff. Key areas of focus include:
Manual handling of furniture, boxes and equipment, with emphasis on team lifting, use of trolleys and avoidance of unnecessary strain.
Working in domestic and commercial premises, including safe navigation of stairs, corridors, doorways and shared access areas.
Parking, loading and unloading in busy streets and residential areas, taking account of traffic, pedestrians and access constraints.
Securing loads within vehicles to prevent movement during transit and reduce the risk of injury or damage.
Handling fragile, high-value or bulky items using appropriate protective materials and lifting techniques.
Training, Information and Supervision
We ensure that all staff receive appropriate training relevant to their role and responsibilities, including:
Induction training on company health and safety rules and emergency procedures.
Manual handling techniques tailored to the removals industry, such as lifting, carrying, team coordination and use of moving equipment.
Safe driving practices, route planning and vehicle checks for drivers and team leaders.
Use, inspection and care of equipment and protective materials used during moves.
Staff are supervised by experienced personnel who are responsible for ensuring that procedures are followed on site and that any issues are addressed promptly.
Vehicles, Equipment and Maintenance
All vehicles and equipment used by Removal Van Chiswick are subject to regular inspection and maintenance schedules. We:
Carry out routine pre-use checks to identify defects in vehicles, trolleys, lifting aids and other tools.
Ensure that vehicles are loaded within safe weight limits and that goods are secured using appropriate restraints and packing materials.
Remove from service any equipment or vehicle found to be unsafe until suitable repairs or replacements have been made.
Customer and Public Safety
We take practical steps to protect customers, visitors and members of the public during removal operations. This includes:
Maintaining clear walkways and access routes where possible.
Using caution when moving items through shared or communal areas.
Reducing noise and disruption where reasonably practicable.
Providing clear communication with customers about timing, access requirements and any safety considerations during the move.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near-misses or damage incidents must be reported promptly. We record and investigate these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Our teams are briefed on emergency procedures relevant to their work, including:
Basic first aid response and how to summon appropriate emergency services.
Procedures in the event of fire, collision, property damage or serious injury.
Steps for safeguarding the area and preventing further harm.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, company operations or identified risks. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and used to improve our approach to health and safety across all locations we serve.
By working together and following this policy, Removal Van Chiswick aims to deliver a safe, reliable and professional removals service for every customer.
