Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Removal Van Fulham
Removal Van Fulham is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, clients, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and moving services. This Health and Safety policy sets out our objectives, responsibilities, and procedures to manage risks associated with the transport and handling of goods in and around Fulham and surrounding areas.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to conduct all removal and transport activities in a manner that prevents injury, ill health, damage to property, and harm to the environment. We aim to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and to follow recognised best practice for manual handling, driving, loading, unloading, and working at premises across our service area.
We are committed to continual improvement by regularly reviewing working practices, updating training, and monitoring performance. All staff are expected to follow this policy and take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Removal Van Fulham holds overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy. This includes:
Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out and reviewed for all key tasks, including packing, loading, unloading, and transporting goods. Providing appropriate equipment such as trolleys, lifting aids, securing straps, gloves, and protective footwear. Ensuring that vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Organising suitable training and instruction for all employees, including new starters and temporary staff. Investigating incidents, near misses, and hazards, and taking corrective action to prevent recurrence. Allocating sufficient resources to support safe working practices.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Removal Van Fulham has a duty to work safely and to support our health and safety culture. Employees must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safe systems of work, instructions, and training provided. Use equipment, lifting aids, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Report hazards, near misses, and incidents as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken. Avoid any behaviour that could put themselves, colleagues, clients, or the public at risk, including unsafe lifting, rushing tasks, or ignoring site rules at client premises.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Removal Van Fulham carries out risk assessments for regular tasks and specific moves where additional risks may be present. These assessments identify hazards such as heavy or awkward loads, restricted access, stairs, slippery surfaces, and vehicle loading issues.
Based on the findings of risk assessments, we implement safe working practices which may include using team lifts for heavy items, using trolleys and sliders, planning access routes in advance, restricting manual handling where mechanical assistance is available, and allowing sufficient time for each job to avoid rushing.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of our work and is treated as a priority risk. All staff receive instruction in safe lifting techniques, including assessing the weight and shape of items, keeping loads close to the body, avoiding twisting movements, sharing loads between team members, and asking for assistance when an item is too heavy or awkward.
Where possible, we use handling aids such as sack trucks, dollies, sliders, and ramps to reduce physical strain. Staff are instructed never to attempt lifting items beyond their capabilities and to communicate clearly with colleagues during team lifts.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
All vehicles used by Removal Van Fulham are regularly checked and maintained to ensure they are safe, reliable, and compliant with relevant regulations. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence and follow all road safety rules.
Before each journey, drivers carry out basic vehicle checks, ensure goods are loaded securely, and confirm that weight limits are not exceeded. During operations in busy areas, additional care is taken to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users. Drivers and crew must not operate vehicles or equipment under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that could impair their ability to work safely.
Safe Loading and Unloading
Safe loading and unloading are essential to prevent injuries and damage to property. Our crews are trained to balance and secure loads within the vehicle using appropriate straps and other securing methods, maintain clear walkways within loading areas, avoid stacking items in an unstable manner, ensure ramps and tail lifts are used safely and within their rated capacity, and manage access to loading zones to minimise risks to clients and the public.
Working at Client Premises
When working at homes, offices, or other premises, Removal Van Fulham staff must respect site-specific safety requirements. They will identify potential hazards such as uneven floors, steps, low ceilings, and tight staircases, protect floors and surfaces where appropriate, keep routes clear of trip hazards such as packing materials and tools, and communicate with clients about any access restrictions or safety concerns.
Where necessary, we may adjust the method of work, the number of staff, or the equipment used to maintain safe operations.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We provide ongoing training and supervision to ensure that all staff understand their responsibilities and are competent to carry out their duties safely. This includes induction training for new employees, instruction in manual handling, vehicle and equipment use, toolbox talks on specific risks and recent incidents, and refresher sessions when procedures or legislation change.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, and near misses must be reported promptly. We keep accurate records and review them to identify trends and areas for improvement. In the event of an incident, staff must follow established emergency procedures, including seeking medical assistance when required, making the area safe, informing management as soon as possible, and cooperating with any subsequent investigation.
Monitoring, Review, and Policy Updates
Removal Van Fulham regularly monitors health and safety performance through inspections, feedback from staff and clients, and analysis of incident reports. This policy is reviewed periodically and updated when changes in legislation, best practice, or our operations occur.
All employees are informed of any changes to the policy or procedures, and updated versions are made available to clients upon request.
By applying this Health and Safety policy consistently, Removal Van Fulham seeks to ensure that every removal, whether local or across our wider service area, is carried out as safely and efficiently as possible.
