Ealing Removals Health and Safety Policy

Ealing Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and relocation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with household and commercial removals, transport, loading and unloading, packing, storage, and related services.

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental impact by integrating health and safety into all aspects of our planning and operations. We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and continually strive to improve our standards.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Ealing Removals rests with the company management, who ensure that adequate resources, supervision and support are provided for safe working practices. Management is responsible for establishing and reviewing this policy, setting objectives and ensuring effective implementation on every removal project.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day health and safety management on site, including communication of safe systems of work, monitoring compliance, and addressing unsafe conditions or behaviour promptly.

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff must follow safe working procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards, and co-operate fully with health and safety instructions and training.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Ealing Removals carries out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for its activities. These include assessments for manual handling, working in customers’ homes and premises, vehicle operations, use of lifting equipment, working at height where applicable, and handling fragile or high-value items.

From these assessments we develop safe systems of work tailored to removal activities, such as safe loading plans, correct lifting and carrying techniques, limits on individual loads, and procedures for handling awkward, heavy or bulky items like furniture and appliances. We also plan access routes, parking arrangements and timing to minimise risks to staff, customers and the public.

Risk assessments are reviewed when there are significant changes to work practices, equipment, legislation, or when incidents indicate the need for improvement.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key area of risk in removals. We aim to avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable by using equipment and team lifting arrangements. Where manual handling cannot be avoided, we reduce risks by planning lifts, assessing load weight and shape, and ensuring that staff use the correct techniques.

Ealing Removals provides and maintains suitable handling equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, dollies, lifting straps, and protective blankets. All equipment is inspected regularly and withdrawn from use if damaged or defective. Employees are trained in the correct selection and safe use of this equipment to prevent strain injuries and accidents.

Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety

We recognise that the safe operation of vehicles is critical to our work. Ealing Removals ensures that vehicles used for work are appropriately maintained, roadworthy and suitable for the loads they carry. Pre-use checks are carried out and any defects are reported immediately.

Drivers must hold valid licences, follow road safety laws and drive in a safe and courteous manner. Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit, with particular care taken over heavy or tall items. Routes and schedules are planned to allow for safe driving speeds and to reduce driver fatigue. Drivers are instructed not to use handheld devices while driving and to follow company procedures for parking and unloading safely at each location.

Customer and Public Safety

During removal activities, we take care to protect our customers, visitors and members of the public from risk. This includes maintaining clear walkways, managing trip hazards such as cables and packing materials, and using warning signs where appropriate. We seek to minimise disruption around entrances, pavements and shared access areas.

Our teams are instructed to communicate clearly with customers about the work being carried out, the areas that need to be kept clear, and any short-term access restrictions. Where there is shared use of corridors, stairways or car parks, we take reasonable measures to coordinate movements and ensure that lifting and carrying operations are conducted safely.

Workplace Environment and Welfare

Ealing Removals aims to provide a safe and healthy working environment for all staff. This includes access to drinking water, rest breaks, washing facilities where available, and appropriate arrangements for extreme weather conditions. We pay particular attention to heat, cold and wet weather, and adjust work patterns or provide additional protective clothing where necessary.

We also promote mental wellbeing by encouraging open communication about workload, stress and any health concerns that may affect safe working. We do not tolerate harassment, bullying or abuse, whether from colleagues, customers or others.

Training, Information and Supervision

We ensure that employees receive appropriate health and safety training for their roles, including induction training for new starters and ongoing instruction for existing staff. This may cover manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, working in customers’ premises, emergency procedures and first aid awareness.

Information about risks and safe working procedures is communicated through briefings, toolbox talks, written guidance and on-the-job demonstrations. Supervisors monitor performance and provide additional guidance or refresher training where required.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and hazardous situations must be reported promptly to management. Ealing Removals keeps records of such events, investigates causes where appropriate, and implements corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

We maintain and communicate emergency procedures for incidents such as fire, serious injury, vehicle collisions, or dangerous occurrences during lifting and loading. Staff are instructed in how to raise the alarm, contact emergency services, and assist in evacuations or securing the scene as necessary.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our removal operations and service areas. We consider changes in legislation, industry best practice, company structure and feedback from staff and customers.

Ealing Removals is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. By working together, following safe procedures and learning from experience, we aim to carry out every removal project safely, efficiently and with care for everyone involved.