Health and Safety policy
Movers Acton Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures followed by Movers Acton to protect the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, visitors and customers during all moving and removal activities. Our aim is to prevent accidents, minimise risks and promote a culture where safety is an integral part of every removal job.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Movers Acton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment. We will, so far as is reasonably practicable, identify and control hazards associated with domestic and commercial removals, packing, loading, transport and unloading. We seek continuous improvement in our safety performance and expect employees and contractors to cooperate fully with this policy.
The key objectives of this policy are to prevent injury and ill health, comply with relevant health and safety legislation, provide safe systems of work for removal operations, and ensure that all staff are competent to carry out their duties safely.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Movers Acton has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy. This includes ensuring that appropriate resources are provided for training, equipment, supervision and monitoring. Managers will regularly review working practices, update risk assessments and verify that control measures are effective for the range of moving and storage services we provide.
Management will make sure staff understand their roles in maintaining safety, and will take reasonable steps to address any issues raised by employees or customers in relation to health and safety during removal projects.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee and contractor working for Movers Acton has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff are expected to follow all safety procedures, attend training sessions, use equipment correctly and report hazards, accidents, near misses or unsafe practices without delay.
Employees must not misuse or interfere with any equipment or measures provided for safety purposes. Failure to comply with safety procedures may result in disciplinary action, as health and safety is considered a core part of each role.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Movers Acton conducts suitable and proportionate risk assessments for our activities, including surveys of properties and premises where removal services are being provided. These assessments consider factors such as access routes, stairs, parking, lifting requirements, manual handling tasks, traffic risks and environmental conditions.
Based on these assessments, we develop and communicate safe systems of work for tasks such as packing, dismantling furniture, loading and unloading vehicles, and handling awkward or heavy items. Staff are required to follow these procedures and raise any concerns if conditions change or if they believe the planned work cannot be carried out safely.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant part of removal work. Movers Acton provides training on safe lifting techniques, team handling, use of handling aids and the importance of assessing each lift before starting. Staff are instructed never to attempt to lift or move items that exceed their capability, and to request additional help or equipment when necessary.
Appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps and ramps is provided to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. All equipment must be used as instructed and checked before use. Defective or damaged equipment must be taken out of service and reported immediately.
Vehicles and Driving Safety
Movers Acton ensures that vehicles used for removal services are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are suitable for the loads they carry. Drivers must hold the correct licence, follow applicable road traffic rules and operate vehicles in a safe and responsible manner at all times.
Loads must be secured to prevent movement in transit, and vehicles must never be overloaded. Drivers are responsible for performing basic checks before use and reporting defects promptly. Journey planning should allow sufficient time to avoid rushing and reduce the risk of fatigue.
Training, Instruction and Supervision
All staff receive appropriate induction training covering general safety rules, emergency procedures, manual handling basics and the specific hazards associated with removal work. Additional task-specific training is provided where required, such as the use of lifting aids or specialist packing materials.
New or inexperienced staff are supervised closely until they are competent to work safely with reduced supervision. Refresher training is provided periodically and whenever changes in procedures, equipment or legislation make it necessary.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be fully controlled by other means, Movers Acton provides suitable personal protective equipment, such as gloves, high-visibility clothing or safety footwear. Employees must wear the protective equipment provided when required and keep it in good condition. Any loss, damage or defect must be reported immediately so that replacements can be arranged.
Customer and Public Safety
During removal operations, Movers Acton takes steps to protect customers, visitors and members of the public. This includes keeping access routes as clear as reasonably practicable, using safe lifting zones, avoiding tripping hazards from equipment and packaging materials, and communicating clearly with customers about areas that should be kept free from traffic while work is underway.
Where necessary, barriers, signage or other control measures may be used to prevent unauthorised persons from entering active work areas such as loading zones or vehicle access points.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents and near misses that occur during removal work must be reported to management as soon as practicable. Movers Acton records and investigates these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. This helps us to learn from experience and prevent recurrence.
Where required by law, incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities. Staff are expected to cooperate fully with any investigation and to provide accurate information about the circumstances of an incident.
Emergency Procedures
Movers Acton maintains procedures for responding to emergencies that may arise during removal activities, such as fire, injury, sudden illness, vehicle incidents or property damage. Staff receive instruction on what to do, how to raise the alarm and how to contact emergency services if required.
Employees must familiarise themselves with escape routes and must follow instructions given by emergency personnel. First aid provisions are maintained and designated first aiders are available within the team or on call where appropriate.
Health and Safety Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation or best practice for the removals industry. Updates are communicated to all staff and incorporated into our working procedures.
By following this policy and working cooperatively, Movers Acton aims to deliver safe, efficient and professional removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our work.
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