Removal Van Ilford Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety policy sets out how Removal Van Ilford manages health, safety and welfare for our team members, customers and the wider public during all removals and related transport services. Our aim is to provide a safe and healthy working environment and to conduct every job in a way that prevents injury, ill health, and damage to property.
We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice. Health and safety is central to how we plan, organise and carry out our work, from small home moves to larger commercial relocations across Ilford and surrounding areas.
Policy Objectives
Our core health and safety objectives are to:
Prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health during all moving and transport activities.
Identify and control hazards associated with lifting, carrying, loading, driving and access to premises.
Provide safe systems of work, safe equipment and competent personnel.
Protect customers, visitors, members of the public and other contractors who may be affected by our operations.
Comply with applicable health and safety laws, regulations and guidance.
Continuously improve health and safety performance through monitoring, training and review.
Management Responsibilities
Company management is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that health and safety standards are maintained at all times. This includes:
Planning removal operations with safety considerations built into route selection, vehicle loading, access, and timing.
Providing and maintaining vehicles, tools and handling equipment that are safe, regularly inspected and correctly maintained.
Ensuring adequate risk assessments are carried out for typical and non-routine tasks, and that appropriate control measures are put in place.
Ensuring all staff receive suitable induction, training and refreshers on safe working practices and emergency procedures.
Investigating accidents, near misses and hazardous occurrences and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Allocating sufficient resources to meet our health and safety commitments.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including drivers, porters and supervisors, share responsibility for their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are expected to:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and guidance given during training and briefings.
Use vehicles, tools, protective equipment and lifting aids in accordance with training and manufacturer guidance.
Report hazards, defects, incidents and near misses to management as soon as reasonably practicable.
Maintain good standards of personal conduct, including being fit for duty and never working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Cooperate with any accident investigations, risk assessments or health and safety inspections.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We assess the risks associated with our typical activities, including packing, loading, unloading, manual handling, working in confined or restricted access areas, and operating vehicles in busy locations. For each job we consider:
Access to and from properties, including stairs, lifts, parking and loading areas.
The weight, size and fragility of items to be moved, and any special handling requirements.
Potential interaction with other road users, pedestrians and customers on site.
Weather and environmental conditions that may affect safe working.
Based on these assessments, we develop safe systems of work and brief staff before tasks begin. Where specific or unusual risks are identified, additional control measures, equipment or personnel may be required before the work can proceed.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant part of our business and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury and strain. We:
Train staff on correct lifting techniques, team lifting, and safe movement of bulky or awkward items.
Use trolleys, dollies, straps, ramps and other handling aids whenever practical to reduce manual effort.
Plan the route through properties in advance to avoid unnecessary carrying, tripping hazards and confined spaces.
Set weight limits for single-person lifts and require team lifting for heavier items.
Ensure all handling equipment is inspected and maintained so it is safe and suitable for use.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
We are committed to safe driving and vehicle operations for all removals and transport services. Our approach includes:
Ensuring drivers hold the correct licence and are competent to operate the vehicles and any specialist equipment.
Carrying out routine checks on vehicles, including tyres, brakes, lights, securing points and loading areas.
Loading vehicles safely and evenly, securing goods to prevent movement during transit and protecting both people and property.
Scheduling work to reduce time pressure, encouraging safe driving speeds and adherence to traffic regulations.
Promoting safe parking and unloading practices, with consideration for pedestrians, neighbouring properties and other road users.
Customer and Public Safety
We take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of customers and members of the public during our work. This includes:
Agreeing safe loading and unloading areas with customers before work begins.
Keeping access routes clear, tidy and as obstruction free as reasonably possible.
Using warning signs or verbal guidance when moving large items through shared or public areas.
Handling customer property with care to avoid damage that might create hazards, such as broken glass or sharp edges.
Training, Information and Supervision
All staff receive health and safety induction and ongoing training appropriate to their role. This may include:
Manual handling and safe lifting techniques.
Vehicle and driving safety awareness.
Use of handling equipment and tools.
Accident reporting and emergency response procedures.
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that less experienced staff are supported and that safe methods are followed on every job.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
Any accident, injury, near miss, property damage or dangerous occurrence must be reported to management without delay. We keep records of incidents to help identify trends and improve our systems. Where necessary, emergency services will be contacted and appropriate first aid will be provided.
Our teams are briefed on what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, road collision or sudden illness during a job. Work will stop if continuing would place anyone at unacceptable risk.
Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, our operations or lessons learned from experience. We welcome feedback from staff and customers on safety issues and use such feedback to improve our working practices.
By working together and following this policy, Removal Van Ilford aims to provide a professional, safe and reliable removal service for every customer and every job.
