Removal Van Notting Hill Health and Safety Commitment
Removal Van Notting Hill is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, packing, loading, transport, and unloading of goods across our service area.
We recognise our duty of care and aim to continually improve our health and safety performance. All activities are planned and carried out so far as is reasonably practicable to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property.
Policy Objectives
Our main health and safety objectives are to:
Identify, assess, and control risks linked to moving, lifting, and transporting items.
Provide appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision to all staff.
Maintain vehicles, equipment, and work environments in a safe condition.
Promote safe behaviour and a positive health and safety culture.
Comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry guidance.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management of Removal Van Notting Hill, who will ensure the implementation, monitoring, and regular review of this policy.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for:
Ensuring staff follow safe working procedures and use equipment correctly.
Conducting and updating risk assessments for removal activities.
Reporting and investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses.
Ensuring that only competent, trained staff operate vehicles and handling equipment.
All employees are required to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided.
Use personal protective equipment as instructed.
Report hazards, unsafe conditions, and incidents without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Removal Van Notting Hill conducts risk assessments for typical removal operations such as access to properties, stairways, loading areas, heavy and awkward items, traffic management, and weather conditions. Where a job presents specific or unusual risks, additional assessments are carried out before work commences.
From these assessments we develop safe systems of work, which may include:
Planning vehicle positioning to avoid reversing where possible.
Using team lifts for heavy or bulky items.
Employing trolleys, dollies, straps, and other handling aids where appropriate.
Protecting walkways with coverings to prevent slips and trips.
Using clear communication and signals between team members.
Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a key focus of our safety management. All staff receive practical training in safe lifting techniques, posture, and the use of mechanical aids.
Employees are instructed to:
Assess the load before lifting and seek assistance if it is too heavy or awkward.
Avoid twisting the body while carrying items.
Keep loads close to the body and maintain stable footing.
Take regular breaks when completing physically demanding tasks.
Where possible, jobs are planned so that manual handling is reduced, for example by dismantling large furniture or using additional staff on challenging moves.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are essential to our operations and are maintained in a safe, roadworthy condition. Regular inspections and servicing are carried out, and any defects are reported immediately and rectified before further use.
Only drivers who hold the appropriate licence and have received internal driving and loading training are permitted to operate company vehicles. Drivers must:
Conduct daily vehicle checks before departure.
Ensure loads are evenly distributed and securely restrained.
Drive in accordance with road traffic laws and site rules.
Allow sufficient time for journeys to avoid rushing and unsafe driving.
Safe Loading, Unloading and Property Protection
Safe loading and unloading are vital to prevent injuries and damage to property. Our procedures include:
Using ramps and tail lifts correctly and keeping them clear of obstructions.
Stacking items in vehicles to avoid movement during transit.
Securing loads with straps and other restraints.
Protecting floors, walls, and doorways where necessary.
Work areas are kept as tidy as reasonably practicable, with clear walkways and careful placement of boxes and furniture to reduce the risk of trips and collisions.
Work at Height and Use of Equipment
Where work at height cannot be avoided, such as accessing lofts or high shelving, suitable access equipment is used and inspected regularly. Employees must not improvise with unsafe methods such as standing on unstable furniture.
Any equipment provided by Removal Van Notting Hill, including trolleys, straps, and tools, must be used in accordance with training and manufacturer instructions. Defective equipment is taken out of use immediately and reported to management.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risk assessments identify the need for personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear, gloves, or high-visibility clothing, it will be provided and maintained by the company. Employees are required to wear PPE as instructed and to care for it responsibly.
Customer and Public Safety
We take reasonable steps to safeguard customers and members of the public during our operations. This may include:
Agreeing safe access routes in and around the property.
Advising customers to keep children and pets away from work areas.
Using warning signs or barriers where appropriate.
Scheduling work to reduce congestion and conflicts with other activities.
Training, Information and Consultation
All new employees receive an introduction to our health and safety arrangements and specific training for their role. Ongoing refresher training is provided to maintain competence.
Information about risks, procedures, and incident trends is shared with staff through briefings and toolbox talks. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and participate in the development of safer working practices.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Reports are recorded, investigated, and used to identify underlying causes and preventative actions.
Emergency procedures are in place for situations such as fire, serious injury, or vehicle collision. Employees receive guidance on how to respond, including evacuation routes, contacting emergency services, and securing the area.
Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, vehicles, or legal requirements. Feedback from employees and customers, as well as incident data, is used to improve our systems and performance.
By following this policy, Removal Van Notting Hill aims to ensure that every move is carried out safely, efficiently, and with proper care for everyone involved.
