Removal Van Lambeth Health and Safety Policy
Removal Van Lambeth is committed to providing a professional and safe removals service for our customers, employees, contractors and the wider public. This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles, responsibilities and arrangements we follow to manage risks associated with removals, transport and associated activities in our operating areas.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
We recognise that moving homes and businesses involves manual handling, vehicle use, working in varied environments and handling customers belongings. We are committed to managing these activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health, property damage and environmental impact. Health and safety considerations are integral to our planning, decision-making and daily operations.
We will continually seek to improve our standards and comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised best practice for the removals sector.
Roles and Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that appropriate resources, training and supervision are in place. Management is responsible for:
Ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety laws and regulations. Providing equipment and vehicles that are suitable, maintained and safe to use. Identifying, assessing and controlling significant risks associated with our services. Promoting a positive health and safety culture within the company.
All employees and contractors are responsible for:
Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Following company procedures, guidance and instructions. Using equipment and personal protective equipment correctly. Reporting hazards, near misses, incidents and unsafe conditions promptly.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out risk assessments for the typical activities involved in removals, including loading, unloading, carrying items, driving, operating lifting equipment and working at different customer locations. Site-specific assessments are completed where required, for example where there are unusual access issues or particularly heavy or fragile items.
Based on these assessments we develop and implement safe systems of work that include:
Methods for safe lifting and carrying. Procedures for using removal equipment such as trolleys, ramps and straps. Guidance on safe stacking, loading and securing of goods. Controls for working in shared spaces, stairwells, car parks and on the roadside.
These systems are communicated to all relevant staff and reviewed periodically, especially following incidents or significant changes to our operations.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide our team with suitable and timely health and safety training relevant to their roles. This may include:
Manual handling and safe lifting techniques. Safe loading and unloading of vehicles. Use and inspection of equipment. Vehicle safety and defensive driving principles. Awareness of slips, trips and falls hazards. Incident reporting procedures and emergency actions.
New staff receive induction training on our policies and procedures before starting work, and existing staff receive refresher training as needed. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring working practices, providing guidance on site and ensuring that standards are maintained.
Manual Handling and Physical Safety
Manual handling is a key element of removals and presents significant risk if not managed correctly. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury, we:
Conduct manual handling risk assessments for typical removal tasks. Encourage team lifting for heavy or awkward items. Use mechanical aids such as trolleys, dollies and lifting straps whenever appropriate. Instruct staff to avoid overreaching, twisting and carrying loads that are too heavy or unstable. Plan routes that minimise stairs and obstacles where possible.
Staff are encouraged to stop and seek assistance whenever they consider a load or manoeuvre to be unsafe.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are central to our service and are managed to high safety standards. We ensure that:
Vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained in line with manufacturers guidance and legal requirements. Daily vehicle checks are carried out by drivers, and any defects are reported immediately. Loads are distributed evenly and secured to prevent movement during transit. Drivers hold the appropriate licence, are competent and understand their responsibilities under road traffic law.
We promote safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, careful parking and awareness of pedestrians, cyclists and other road users in all service areas.
Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
We provide appropriate equipment to support safe removals, such as protective blankets, straps, ramps and trolleys. All equipment is:
Selected for suitability and quality. Maintained and inspected regularly. Used only by staff who have been instructed in its safe use.
Where necessary, we provide personal protective equipment such as gloves, high-visibility garments or safety footwear. Staff are required to use this equipment whenever specified and to report any defects or concerns.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Removals often take place in occupied premises and public areas. We take reasonable steps to protect customers and the public by:
Maintaining clear access routes and escape paths wherever possible. Using warning signs or verbal warnings when moving large items through shared spaces. Managing parking and loading activities to minimise obstruction and risk. Taking care to prevent damage to property, fixtures and fittings.
We ask customers to inform us of any particular site hazards, access restrictions or vulnerable individuals so we can plan work safely.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We record incidents, investigate the underlying causes and take action to prevent recurrence. Lessons learned are incorporated into updated risk assessments, training and procedures.
Our teams are briefed on basic emergency actions, including:
Summoning emergency services when required. Responding to fire alarms and evacuations at customer premises. Providing appropriate first response to minor injuries, within their level of training.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
We monitor our health and safety performance through incident records, staff feedback, inspections and audits. This policy and associated procedures are reviewed regularly, and at least annually, to ensure they remain effective, relevant and proportionate to our activities and service areas.
Removal Van Lambeth expects all employees and contractors to support the implementation of this policy and to contribute actively to maintaining a safe environment for everyone involved in our removal services.
