Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Hammersmith Movers
Hammersmith Movers is committed to maintaining the highest practical standards of health, safety and welfare for employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, logistics and related services, and applies to all staff, temporary workers and subcontractors engaged in our operations.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to conduct all removal and moving activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment. We will provide safe systems of work, appropriate training, suitable equipment and effective supervision so that all tasks can be carried out safely and efficiently.
Management at every level is responsible for ensuring that health and safety is integrated into planning and decision making. All employees share responsibility for working safely, following company procedures and reporting hazards so that risks are controlled and continuously reduced.
Legal Compliance and Responsibilities
Hammersmith Movers will comply with all applicable health and safety laws, regulations and approved codes of practice relevant to our removal and transport activities. We will keep our procedures under review to reflect changes in legislation and recognised industry standards.
The management team is responsible for implementing this policy, providing resources and monitoring performance. Supervisors must ensure that work is organised and supervised in accordance with risk assessments and safe working procedures. Every employee is required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out risk assessments for all significant activities, including household removals, office moves, packing, loading, unloading and storage tasks. Risks such as manual handling injuries, slips and trips, falls from vehicles, collisions, property damage and environmental factors are assessed and controlled.
Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments and communicated to all relevant staff. Where site-specific hazards are identified, a dynamic risk assessment is conducted on arrival and working methods are adjusted as needed to maintain safety.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is carefully managed to minimise strain and injury. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, team handling methods and the correct use of handling aids. Heavy, bulky or awkward items are not moved by a single person where this would present an unacceptable risk.
We provide appropriate equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, furniture skates, lifting straps and protective coverings. All equipment is inspected regularly and removed from use if damaged or defective. Employees must use the equipment provided and never improvise with unsuitable items.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular checks and servicing. Drivers must complete pre-use inspections and report any defects immediately. Loading and unloading is carried out in a way that keeps vehicle access clear, controls traffic movement and prevents falls from height or incidents with members of the public.
Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit and to protect both the contents and vehicle occupants. Drivers are expected to follow all road traffic laws, comply with speed limits and drive in a manner appropriate to weather and traffic conditions. Fatigue is managed through sensible scheduling and rest breaks.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive induction training on our health and safety rules, emergency arrangements and expectations for safe conduct. Task-specific training is provided for manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle operation and working in customer premises.
Refresher training is provided at appropriate intervals or when new equipment, procedures or risks are introduced. Supervisors monitor working practices, provide guidance and correct unsafe behaviour promptly. Health and safety information is communicated through regular briefings and updates.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be fully controlled by other means, suitable personal protective equipment is provided. This may include safety footwear, gloves, high visibility clothing and other protective items relevant to removal and transport work.
Employees must use protective equipment as instructed, keep it in good condition and report any loss or damage. Replacement equipment is provided as required to maintain safety standards.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our teams work in a variety of domestic and commercial environments. We take care to protect customers, visitors and the public from hazards arising from our activities. This includes maintaining clear walkways, managing trailing cables, controlling vehicle movements and securing doors, gates and access routes where appropriate.
We aim to minimise disruption and work respectfully in all premises, ensuring that any hazards introduced by our presence are identified, controlled and removed when work is complete.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, injuries and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly so that they can be investigated and lessons learned. Records of incidents are maintained, and corrective actions are taken to prevent recurrence.
Emergency procedures are in place for fire, serious injury, vehicle incidents and other foreseeable events. Staff are briefed on how to respond, how to raise the alarm and how to cooperate with emergency services.
Health, Welfare and Continuous Improvement
Hammersmith Movers recognises the importance of both physical and mental health in delivering a safe, reliable removal service. We encourage employees to raise concerns about workload, fatigue or wellbeing so that support can be provided and risks managed.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our operations. We seek feedback from employees and customers, monitor our performance and strive for continual improvement in health and safety standards across all our services.
