London Removal Health and Safety Policy
London Removal is committed to maintaining 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 risk in all aspects of our services, including packing, lifting, loading, transport, unloading and on-site work at homes, offices and commercial premises.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health, and to protect property and the environment during every move. Safety considerations form an integral part of planning and delivering our services, from initial survey and quotation through to final delivery at the new location.
We are committed to continual improvement in our health and safety performance and to integrating safe systems of work into our day-to-day operations across our service areas.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for health and safety within London Removal. This includes ensuring that adequate resources, training and supervision are provided so that all work can be carried out safely and in accordance with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.
Managers will regularly review working practices, conduct risk assessments and investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. They are responsible for ensuring that safe working procedures are communicated to staff and that these procedures are followed at all times.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of those who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff must follow company safety procedures, use equipment correctly and cooperate fully with training and instruction.
Employees are required to report hazards, near misses, accidents and unsafe conditions to their supervisor without delay. No employee should undertake any removal task for which they have not been trained or which they believe cannot be carried out safely with the equipment and resources available.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before undertaking any removal or relocation work, appropriate risk assessments will be completed. These assessments consider manual handling risks, access issues, traffic and parking conditions, property configuration, staircases, lifts, weather, and any specialist items such as pianos, safes or fragile equipment.
Findings from risk assessments are used to develop safe systems of work, including the number of staff required, use of lifting aids, selection of vehicles, and the need for protective equipment. Our teams are briefed on the specific risks of each job and the control measures that must be followed.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of our removal operations, and we place strong emphasis on reducing the risk of injury from lifting and carrying. All staff receive training in safe lifting techniques and correct body positioning.
Wherever possible, we use equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, dollies, furniture sliders, lifting straps and ramps to minimise manual effort. Furniture disassembly and reassembly are planned to reduce unnecessary lifting of heavy or awkward items. Team lifting is used for large or bulky objects, and no item will be moved if the team considers it unsafe to do so.
Vehicle Safety and Loading
Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and undergo regular inspections in line with legal and manufacturer requirements. Only authorised and appropriately licensed drivers may operate company vehicles.
Loads are arranged and secured to prevent movement during transport, with attention given to weight distribution, protection of fragile goods and safe access in and out of the vehicle. Drivers must follow all road traffic laws, adapt their driving to weather and traffic conditions, and plan routes to minimise risks such as low bridges or restricted access roads.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
When working at customer homes or business premises, our teams will take reasonable steps to protect people and property. This may include using protective coverings, securing trailing cables, controlling access to work areas and communicating clearly with occupants about ongoing tasks.
We are mindful of neighbours and the general public when loading and unloading in residential streets or busy commercial areas. Work areas are kept as clear as possible, and staff are instructed to be vigilant about trip hazards, moving vehicles and other site risks.
Personal Protective Equipment
London Removal provides appropriate personal protective equipment where required, which may include safety footwear, gloves, high-visibility clothing, and other items depending on the nature of the work. Employees are responsible for using PPE correctly, reporting defects and ensuring it is kept clean and in good condition.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive induction training that includes our health and safety expectations and safe working procedures relevant to removal activities. Ongoing training is provided in manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety and job-specific risks.
Supervisors monitor work on site to ensure that safety rules are being followed and to provide guidance where required. Refresher training is arranged regularly and whenever work practices or equipment change.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and damage incidents must be reported promptly so they can be recorded, investigated and used to improve our safety performance. We maintain an accident reporting system that helps identify trends and informs staff training and policy review.
Our teams are briefed on emergency procedures for fire, road traffic incidents, injuries on site and other foreseeable emergencies. First aid kits are carried on vehicles or made available on site, and staff know how to obtain appropriate medical assistance when required.
Health, Wellbeing and Fitness for Work
We recognise the physical demands of removal work and encourage employees to maintain good general health and fitness. Staff must not report for work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair their ability to work safely. Any employee taking prescribed medication that may affect their performance is required to inform their manager.
Policy Review and Communication
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with our operations and legal duties. Updates are communicated to all employees and integrated into training and supervision arrangements.
By working together and following this policy, London Removal aims to provide a consistently safe and professional removal service throughout our operating areas, protecting our customers, our people and the wider community.
