Health and Safety policy
West Kensington Movers Health and Safety Policy
West Kensington Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, visitors and customers. As a professional removals company, we recognise that our activities involve manual handling, use of vehicles, work in and around clients homes and premises, and the handling of furniture, equipment and personal belongings. We take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our operations.
This Health and Safety policy sets out our general standards and expectations. It applies to all aspects of our removal and related services, including packing, loading, transport, unloading and storage.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to prevent accidents, work related ill health and unsafe situations by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting in place effective controls. We aim to continually improve health and safety performance and to promote a positive safety culture within the company.
We will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and relevant industry guidance. Where standards in law are not specific, we adopt best practice appropriate to removal and transport activities.
Management Responsibilities
The management of West Kensington Movers has overall responsibility for the implementation and review of this policy. Management will provide clear leadership on health and safety matters and allocate appropriate resources to maintain safe systems of work.
Management responsibilities include setting and reviewing safety objectives, identifying significant risks associated with moving, lifting, transport and storage activities, ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, reviewed and communicated, maintaining safe and well maintained vehicles, equipment and premises, providing suitable personal protective equipment where required, ensuring that employees receive appropriate training, information and supervision, investigating accidents, incidents and near misses and implementing corrective actions, and reviewing this policy regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Health and safety is a shared responsibility and forms an integral part of each role within the company.
Employees are expected to follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided, use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly and for their intended purpose, immediately report hazards, defects, accidents, near misses or unsafe practices to management, cooperate with risk assessments, inspections and investigations, avoid horseplay, misuse of equipment or any behaviour that could endanger themselves or others, and maintain a professional and considerate attitude when working on customer premises.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We identify and assess the risks associated with our activities, including manual handling, working on stairs, using lifting aids, vehicle movements, working in confined or restricted spaces, adverse weather conditions, and access to and from premises. Based on these assessments, we develop safe systems of work and communicate them to employees.
Risk assessments are reviewed periodically, when significant changes occur in our operations, or following an accident, incident or near miss. Employees are required to follow the control measures arising from these assessments and to suggest improvements where they identify better ways of working safely.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core element of removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
We provide training in correct lifting and carrying techniques tailored to removal work, plan moves in advance to minimise unnecessary handling and awkward loads, make use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling aids whenever reasonably practicable, encourage team lifting for heavy or bulky items, and ensure that employees recognise when a task is beyond their capability and seek assistance or alternative methods.
All tools and equipment provided by the company are maintained in safe working order. Defective or damaged equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are critical to our service and must be operated safely at all times. Only authorised, licensed and competent drivers are permitted to drive company vehicles. Drivers must follow road traffic laws and company driving standards, carry out pre use vehicle checks and report any defects, ensure that loads are properly secured and distributed, avoid overloading vehicles or exceeding recommended weight limits, and take appropriate breaks to prevent fatigue.
We expect all staff to behave responsibly when travelling to and from jobs and when operating near customer properties, pedestrians and other road users.
Working on Customer Premises
When working in homes, offices or other premises, we recognise our responsibility to protect both people and property. Our crews will respect house rules and premises specific safety requirements where they are reasonable and consistent with safe working practices. We will protect floors, walls and belongings where practicable, maintain tidy work areas, and keep access routes as clear as possible.
Where site conditions pose a risk, such as poor lighting, damaged steps or restricted access, staff must report these to management and agree safe ways of working before proceeding.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide induction training for new employees covering our Health and Safety policy, key hazards associated with removal work, emergency procedures and reporting lines. Additional training is provided for manual handling, use of vehicles, specialist equipment and any specific tasks identified through risk assessment.
Supervision is proportionate to the experience and competence of staff involved. Instructions are given clearly and reinforced where necessary, particularly for new team members or complex moves.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly to management, no matter how minor they may appear. Reports are recorded, investigated and reviewed to identify root causes and to implement corrective and preventive actions. We use this information to improve our procedures, training and equipment.
Consultation and Communication
We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about work methods and equipment. Management will consult with employees on significant changes that may affect their health and safety.
Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work
Removal work can be physically demanding. Employees must present themselves fit for duty, free from the influence of alcohol, illegal substances or any medication that impairs their ability to work safely, unless a suitable adjustment has been agreed.
We promote safe working hours, adequate rest and hydration, and the early reporting of any health issues that may be affected by manual handling or other aspects of the job, so that reasonable adjustments or alternative duties can be considered.
Review of Policy
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our operations, legislation or best practice. The latest version is made available to all employees and is communicated as part of ongoing training and briefings.
By working together to follow this policy and associated procedures, West Kensington Movers aims to deliver high quality removal services while protecting the wellbeing of our staff, customers and the wider public.
