Removal Van Streatham Health and Safety Policy
Removal Van Streatham is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our moving and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures that guide our removals operations across our service area, including local and regional moves.
Our aim is to prevent accidents, injuries, work related ill health and damage to property by identifying hazards, managing risks and promoting safe working practices at all times.
Management Commitment and Responsibilities
The management of Removal Van Streatham accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance within the company. We will provide the resources, information, training and supervision necessary to implement this policy and to meet our statutory duties under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that:
Safe systems of work are developed, implemented and reviewed regularly.
All staff understand their health and safety responsibilities and receive appropriate instruction.
Incidents, near misses and concerns are reported, recorded and investigated, and that corrective actions are implemented promptly.
Vehicles, equipment and work areas used for removals are maintained in a safe condition.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Removal Van Streatham has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff are expected to:
Follow the companys safe working procedures and instructions at all times.
Use vehicles, tools, lifting aids, personal protective equipment and other resources correctly and only for their intended purpose.
Report any hazards, defects, unsafe conditions or practices to their supervisor without delay.
Cooperate fully with management in implementing this policy, including participation in training, risk assessments and incident investigations.
Refrain from any behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers or the public, including working while unfit due to alcohol, drugs or fatigue.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for our removal services, including packing, loading, transport, unloading and positioning of items at the destination. Particular consideration is given to manual handling, access and egress, traffic routes, working at height when necessary, weather conditions and the protection of customers premises.
Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and whenever there is a significant change in our operations, the type of items moved, the equipment used or the locations we serve. Control measures include:
Planning removals to minimise manual handling and awkward loads.
Selecting appropriate vehicles, ramps, trolleys and lifting aids.
Ensuring sufficient staff are allocated to each job to handle items safely.
Implementing site specific precautions for stairs, narrow access and shared spaces.
Taking reasonable steps to manage risks to other road users and pedestrians during loading and unloading.
Manual Handling and Safe Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of our removals work and is a major focus of our safety management. All staff engaged in lifting, carrying and moving items receive manual handling training appropriate to their role.
Our procedures emphasise:
Assessing the load before lifting, including weight, size, shape and stability.
Using team lifts and mechanical aids wherever practical.
Keeping loads close to the body and avoiding twisting or overreaching.
Breaking down large loads into smaller, manageable units when possible.
Refusing to move any item if safe handling cannot be assured, and seeking alternative methods or additional resources.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are essential to our moving services, and their safe operation is critical. Removal Van Streatham ensures that:
Vehicles are serviced and maintained regularly in accordance with manufacturers recommendations and legal requirements.
Daily vehicle checks are carried out by drivers, with defects reported and rectified promptly.
Loads are secured correctly to prevent movement during transit, taking into account weight distribution, stacking and restraint systems.
Drivers hold the appropriate licences, are competent and are instructed in safe driving techniques for local and longer distance journeys.
Driving hours and rest breaks are planned to reduce the risk of fatigue.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We are committed to protecting customers property and ensuring the safety of anyone who may be affected by our work at collection and delivery addresses. Our teams will:
Introduce themselves to the customer and explain any relevant safety considerations before starting work.
Identify and manage potential hazards such as uneven surfaces, low ceilings, fragile fittings and shared access routes.
Use protective coverings where appropriate to reduce the risk of damage and slips.
Maintain clear walkways and avoid obstructing entrances, pavements or shared corridors more than is reasonably necessary.
Take care to minimise noise, disruption and risk to neighbours and members of the public in the local area.
Training, Information and Supervision
Removal Van Streatham provides health and safety induction training for all new employees and ongoing refresher training relevant to their tasks. This may include manual handling, vehicle safety, use of lifting equipment, emergency procedures and customer care.
Supervisors monitor working practices on site and during transit to ensure that safety standards are maintained. Additional guidance is provided where needed to help staff understand and apply our procedures in different locations and situations.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work related ill health must be reported to management as soon as possible. We maintain accident records and investigate incidents to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
Emergency procedures are in place for road traffic incidents, fire, personal injury, property damage and other foreseeable events. Staff are briefed on how to respond, including contacting emergency services when required, making the scene safe if possible and informing management promptly.
Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work
We recognise that the physical nature of removals work requires a good standard of fitness and wellbeing. Employees are encouraged to report any health issues that may affect their ability to work safely. Where appropriate, tasks may be adjusted to accommodate temporary or long term conditions, subject to operational needs and safety requirements.
We do not permit anyone to work on removal operations while impaired by alcohol, drugs or medication that may affect their judgement or capability.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy is monitored and reviewed at least annually, and more frequently if required by changes in legislation, industry guidance or our business operations. Feedback from staff and customers, incident data and inspection findings are used to improve our procedures and performance.
Removal Van Streatham is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety, ensuring that our removal services are delivered responsibly and with due care for everyone involved or affected.
