Health and Safety policy

Earl's Court Removals Health and Safety Policy

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

We recognise our legal and moral responsibilities to prevent injury, protect health and promote safe working practices in every aspect of our removal operations across our service areas. Effective health and safety management is an integral part of delivering a professional, reliable and responsible removals service.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The aims of this Health and Safety Policy are to:

Identify, assess and control risks that arise from our removal activities and related services.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and working environments.

Ensure employees are properly trained, supervised and competent to carry out their duties safely.

Promote a safety culture where all staff take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.

Continuously review and improve our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Earl's Court Removals accepts overall responsibility for the implementation of this policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are made available to maintain and improve health and safety standards.

Management will:

Ensure that health and safety is considered in all planning and operational decisions.

Carry out and regularly review risk assessments for key activities including packing, lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, driving and storage.

Provide and maintain safe plant, vehicles, tools and equipment, including routine inspection and servicing.

Establish clear procedures for reporting and investigating accidents, incidents and near misses.

Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage active participation in improvements.

Review this policy periodically and revise it as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance or company operations.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, whether permanent, temporary or agency, share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must:

Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided by the company.

Use vehicles, tools, lifting equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and only for their intended purpose.

Report any hazards, defects, unsafe conditions, accidents or near misses to their supervisor at the earliest opportunity.

Refrain from misusing or interfering with anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare.

Never work under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or engage in behaviour that could compromise safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our main activities and review them regularly to ensure they remain effective and relevant. From these assessments, we develop safe working procedures that are communicated to all relevant staff.

Typical risk areas in our work include manual handling, working in and around customer properties, vehicle loading and securing, road transport, working at height when accessing vehicles, and handling fragile or heavy items. Our teams are trained to assess each job on arrival, taking into account layout, access routes, parking, stairways, lifts and any particular customer requirements.

Where necessary, additional control measures are introduced on site, such as using extra staff for heavy or awkward loads, applying specialist lifting or moving equipment, or adjusting the sequence of tasks to reduce risk.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core aspect of removal work and is managed carefully to minimise the risk of injury. We train our staff in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, load assessment and the correct use of trolleys, dollies, lifting straps and other aids.

Employees are instructed to:

Assess the weight, size and stability of items before attempting to lift or move them.

Ask for assistance or use mechanical aids for heavy, bulky or awkward loads.

Avoid twisting movements while carrying and use stable footing at all times.

Plan routes in advance, ensuring clear pathways free from trip hazards.

No employee is required or permitted to lift or carry loads that present an unacceptable risk to their health.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence for the vehicles they operate and must comply with road traffic laws at all times.

Safe driving practices are essential for protecting our staff, customers and other road users. We expect drivers to:

Conduct pre-use vehicle checks and report defects immediately.

Ensure loads are distributed evenly and are secured appropriately before travel.

Allow sufficient time for journeys, taking account of traffic and weather conditions.

Avoid distractions while driving and comply with speed limits and parking regulations.

Take appropriate rest breaks and avoid driving while fatigued or unwell.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in and around customer homes, offices and public areas. We take all reasonable steps to protect customers, neighbours, visitors and the public from the risks associated with our operations.

This includes ensuring clear access routes, using safe lifting and carrying techniques in confined spaces, protecting floors and surfaces where appropriate, and managing entry and exit to buildings safely. Where necessary, we will temporarily restrict access to certain areas while loading or unloading to prevent accidents.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide induction training for new employees and ongoing training for existing staff to ensure they are competent to carry out their duties safely. Training covers topics such as manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, site-specific risks and emergency procedures.

Supervisors are responsible for monitoring working practices, providing guidance and correcting unsafe behaviour. Additional training is provided when new equipment, vehicles or working methods are introduced.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. We maintain accurate records, investigate underlying causes and implement corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Employees are briefed on what to do in the event of an emergency, including fire, serious injury, spillages or road traffic incidents. First aid equipment is available in vehicles and at our premises, and staff know how to summon appropriate assistance when required.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with current best practice. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and forms part of our commitment to continuous improvement in safety standards across all removal services we provide.

By working together and following this policy, Earl's Court Removals aims to ensure that every move is carried out as safely and efficiently as possible, protecting our staff, our customers and the wider community.