Movers Ealing Health and Safety Policy
Movers Ealing is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and relocation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial moves, packing, loading, transportation and unloading of goods.
Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this policy is to define how Movers Ealing manages health and safety in all aspects of our removal services. It applies to all employees, agency staff, subcontractors and management engaged in any work on behalf of Movers Ealing, whether on customer premises, in vehicles, at storage locations or in any other work environment.
Our aim is to prevent accidents, injuries, work-related ill health and damage to property, while ensuring services are delivered efficiently and professionally.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Movers Ealing has overall responsibility for health and safety. This includes establishing and reviewing this policy, allocating adequate resources, and ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and best practice in the removals industry.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy on a day-to-day basis by:
Conducting and reviewing risk assessments for removal activities and specific jobs.
Ensuring staff are properly trained, competent and supervised.
Providing and maintaining safe equipment and vehicles.
Investigating incidents, accidents and near-misses and implementing corrective actions.
Encouraging a positive safety culture where concerns can be raised without hesitation.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Movers Ealing 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 must:
Follow company safety procedures and instructions at all times.
Use equipment, vehicles and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately.
Participate in training and refresher courses as required.
Assist in risk assessments when requested and cooperate with safety investigations.
Report any hazards, near-misses, accidents or unsafe practices without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Movers Ealing carries out regular risk assessments for the typical hazards associated with removals, including manual handling, use of lifting equipment, working in confined or cluttered spaces, vehicle movements and public interaction at collection and delivery locations.
For each job, staff are expected to survey the working area and identify any site-specific hazards such as uneven surfaces, restricted access, stairs, parking restrictions, poor lighting or weather conditions. Where risks are identified, appropriate control measures will be implemented, which may include revised loading plans, additional staff, specialist equipment or rescheduling where necessary.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of removal services and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of strain and injury. Movers Ealing provides training in safe lifting techniques, team lifts and the proper use of handling equipment such as trolleys and dollies.
Employees must:
Assess the load before attempting to lift or move it.
Use mechanical aids whenever reasonably practicable.
Request assistance with heavy, awkward or bulky items.
Follow agreed lifting methods for items such as appliances, furniture and fragile goods.
Avoid rushing or taking shortcuts that compromise safe handling.
Vehicles and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are maintained to a high standard and are inspected regularly to ensure they are roadworthy and safe for use. Only authorised and qualified personnel may drive company vehicles.
Drivers must:
Carry out basic pre-use checks before starting a journey.
Comply with road traffic laws and company driving standards.
Secure loads carefully to prevent movement in transit.
Plan routes to avoid unnecessary risks, considering access and restrictions.
Take appropriate breaks to avoid fatigue.
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
Movers Ealing provides suitable equipment and, where necessary, personal protective equipment to support safe working. This may include protective gloves, safety footwear, high-visibility clothing and other items appropriate to the task and environment.
All equipment must be used only for its intended purpose and stored safely when not in use. Damaged or defective items must be reported immediately and taken out of service until repaired or replaced.
Customer and Public Safety
We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, their property and members of the public from risks arising from our work. When working at a customer site or in shared areas, Movers Ealing staff will:
Maintain clear walkways and minimise trip hazards.
Use safe loading and unloading practices around entrances, driveways and pavements.
Communicate clearly with customers about any temporary access restrictions.
Act with courtesy and professionalism at all times.
Training, Communication and Consultation
Appropriate health and safety training is provided to all new staff and updated as required. This includes induction, manual handling, vehicle safety and job-specific procedures. Refresher training is offered when procedures change or new equipment is introduced.
Movers Ealing promotes open communication on safety matters. Employees are encouraged to raise any concerns, suggestions or improvements directly with management so that appropriate action can be taken.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near-misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly to a manager or supervisor. Incidents will be recorded, investigated and reviewed to identify causes and implement preventive measures.
Employees are instructed in emergency procedures, including responding to injuries, fires, vehicle incidents and other unexpected situations. Staff must follow these procedures, cooperate with emergency services when required and ensure that any serious incident is escalated to management.
Monitoring, Review and Policy Updates
Movers Ealing monitors health and safety performance through incident reports, staff feedback, inspections and reviews of work practices. This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance, company operations or identified risks.
Continual improvement in health and safety is a core part of our commitment to delivering reliable, professional and responsible removal services for all customers we serve.
