Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Removal Company Marylebone

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitments, responsibilities and safe working arrangements for Removal Company Marylebone. Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property during all removal, packing, loading, transport and delivery activities carried out for domestic and commercial clients.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Removal Company Marylebone is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our operations. We will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice across our service area.

Our key objectives are to identify and manage risks, reduce accidents and near misses, maintain safe and well‑maintained equipment and vehicles, and promote a positive safety culture in every part of our removal work.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and for ensuring that effective systems are in place to manage health and safety. Managers and supervisors are responsible for:

Ensuring that risk assessments are completed and reviewed regularly. Providing appropriate training, information and instruction to staff. Monitoring working practices on site, at client premises and during transport. Investigating all accidents, incidents and near misses and taking corrective action. Ensuring that equipment, lifting aids and vehicles are inspected, serviced and maintained.

Employee Responsibilities

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. Employees of Removal Company Marylebone are required to:

Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided. Use vehicles, tools and equipment only as instructed and for their intended purpose. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment where specified. Report hazards, defects, near misses and incidents promptly to their supervisor. Cooperate fully with health and safety investigations and improvement measures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for all core activities including packing, lifting and carrying, use of trolleys and lifting aids, vehicle loading and unloading, stair and corridor navigation, work at height for loading high vehicles, and operations at client premises such as houses, flats, offices and storage sites.

From these assessments, we will develop and implement safe systems of work that clearly define the safest methods of carrying out each task. These procedures will be communicated to all relevant staff and reviewed periodically or following any significant change in work practices or incidents.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant part of our removal operations, and we treat it as a priority risk area. To minimise the risk of back injuries and musculoskeletal disorders, Removal Company Marylebone will:

Provide manual handling training appropriate to the tasks carried out. Promote team lifting and the use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other lifting aids. Plan routes in advance to avoid unnecessary carrying and to reduce handling distances. Ensure staff understand their own limits and are encouraged to request assistance.

All handling equipment will be inspected regularly, and any defective item will be removed from service until repaired or replaced.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are an essential part of our business and will be operated in a safe and responsible manner. We will ensure that all drivers are competent, properly licensed and trained in safe driving techniques relevant to removal work, including loading and securing loads and safe use of tail lifts and ramps where fitted.

Vehicles will be maintained in a roadworthy condition, subject to routine checks, servicing and inspections. Loads will be planned and secured to prevent movement, crushing hazards and instability. Drivers must obey road traffic laws, observe speed limits and drive with due care in all environments where we operate.

Working at Client Premises

Operations at client homes, offices and other premises present varied and changing conditions. Removal Company Marylebone will conduct on-site assessments to identify hazards such as restricted access, uneven surfaces, limited parking, poor lighting, trip hazards and shared access with other users.

Where necessary, we will agree safe access routes, use warning signs or barriers, protect flooring and property, and coordinate with clients to minimise risks to occupants, visitors and neighbours. Our teams will show respect for client property and ensure that items are handled and placed safely.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, property damage and near misses must be reported as soon as reasonably practicable. This enables us to investigate causes, implement corrective measures and improve our procedures.

Emergency arrangements will be in place for fire, traffic collisions, personal injury and sudden illness. Staff will be briefed on what to do in emergencies, including safe evacuation, contacting emergency services and providing basic first aid where trained and competent to do so.

Training, Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We recognise that effective health and safety management requires ongoing training and open communication. Removal Company Marylebone will provide induction training for new staff, role-specific training for drivers, porters and supervisors, and refresher training when needed or when procedures change.

Employees will be encouraged to raise safety concerns and suggest improvements. We will review safety performance, monitor trends and update this policy, risk assessments and procedures regularly to reflect lessons learned, legal developments and industry guidance.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed at least annually, and sooner if there are significant changes to our operations, legislation or following any serious incident. The current version of the policy will be made available to all employees and to clients on request.

By working together to follow this policy and our safe systems of work, Removal Company Marylebone aims to deliver reliable removal services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone affected by our activities.