Health and Safety policy

Maida Vale Removals Health and Safety Policy

Maida Vale Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, clients, and members of the public who may be affected by our work. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, packing, transport, loading, and unloading activities across the areas we serve.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We recognise our duties under relevant health and safety legislation and strive to go beyond minimum legal requirements wherever reasonably practicable. Our key commitments are to:

Identify, assess, and control risks associated with removals work, driving, lifting, and handling.

Provide appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision to all employees.

Maintain vehicles, equipment, and work practices in a safe and reliable condition.

Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage open reporting of concerns.

Prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health as far as reasonably practicable.

Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.

Responsibilities

Ultimate responsibility for health and safety within Maida Vale Removals rests with senior management. They are responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, reviewed, and supported with adequate resources.

Managers and supervisors must:

Lead by example and promote a positive safety culture.

Ensure that risk assessments are completed, implemented, and regularly reviewed.

Make sure staff are trained, competent, and properly supervised for their tasks.

Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses to prevent recurrence.

All employees and contractors must:

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

Follow all safety procedures, training, and instructions provided.

Use vehicles, tools, and equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.

Report accidents, incidents, hazards, or near misses as soon as practicable.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We undertake regular risk assessments for our removal and transport activities. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, working in and around vehicles, access to properties, use of lifting aids, and environmental conditions.

Based on these assessments, we implement safe working practices that may include:

Planning access routes, parking, and loading zones to minimise risk to staff and the public.

Using appropriate lifting techniques and team lifting where required.

Utilising equipment such as trolleys, dollies, and ramps wherever suitable.

Securing loads within vehicles to prevent movement or damage during transit.

Adapting methods of work to suit the specific characteristics of each property and location.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of removals work and is a key focus of our safety management. We aim to reduce manual handling risks by:

Assessing the weight, size, and shape of items before lifting or moving them.

Encouraging staff to avoid lifting alone when an item can be team lifted.

Providing training in correct posture, body positioning, and lifting techniques.

Using mechanical aids where reasonably practicable and appropriate.

Refusing to move items that cannot be handled safely within normal working methods.

Vehicles, Driving, and Road Safety

We recognise the risks associated with driving and operating removal vehicles. To manage these risks, we:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained in safe working order.

Require drivers to hold the correct licences and to be medically fit to drive.

Provide guidance on safe driving practices, including speed, parking, and loading.

Plan routes to allow sufficient time and reduce pressure on drivers.

Discourage the use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving.

Client Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in a wide variety of properties and public environments. We take care to minimise disruption and ensure safety for clients, neighbours, and passers-by by:

Placing ramps, trolleys, and equipment in safe positions and removing trip hazards.

Keeping access routes as clear as possible during loading and unloading.

Taking extra care when moving large items through shared entrances, corridors, and stairways.

Reinstating any moved items such as protective barriers or entry mats after the job is complete.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide appropriate training to employees according to their roles and responsibilities. This may include:

Induction training on company health and safety procedures and expectations.

Manual handling and lifting technique training.

Vehicle and driver safety guidance for those operating company vehicles.

Instruction in the correct use of handling equipment and tools.

Supervisors monitor work practices on site, provide guidance, and correct unsafe behaviours when identified.

Equipment, Tools, and Personal Protective Equipment

We ensure that equipment and tools used in our removals operations are suitable, maintained, and used correctly. Where necessary, we provide personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, or high-visibility garments and ensure that employees are trained in their correct use and limitations.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported promptly so they can be recorded, investigated, and used to improve our procedures. Where required, incidents will be reported to the appropriate authorities in line with legal obligations.

Employees are briefed on emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, or other emergencies while working at client premises or on the road. Drivers must ensure that vehicles are equipped with suitable emergency equipment where appropriate.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, and the nature of our operations. We monitor performance through inspections, feedback, and incident analysis, and we take corrective action where needed.

By working together, management, employees, contractors, and clients can help maintain a safe environment during all removal and transport activities carried out by Maida Vale Removals.