Health and Safety policy
Chiswick Movers Health and Safety Policy
Chiswick Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, visitors, 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 household and commercial moves, packing, loading, transport, and storage.
Health and safety is a core part of how we operate. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries, work-related ill health, and damage to property by planning our work carefully and following recognised industry best practice.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The objectives of this Health and Safety policy are to:
Promote a strong safety culture throughout the company, from management to frontline moving teams. Comply with applicable health and safety legislation and industry standards relevant to removal and transportation services. Identify hazards and assess risks arising from our activities, then implement suitable control measures. Provide information, instruction, supervision, and training so that employees can work safely and competently. Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage active participation in improving standards. Continually monitor and review our performance to support ongoing improvement.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Chiswick Movers is ultimately responsible for health and safety. Management will:
Ensure that this policy is implemented, communicated, and maintained across all operations. Allocate adequate resources, including time, personnel, and equipment, to manage health and safety effectively. Ensure that risk assessments and method statements are prepared for key tasks, including lifting and carrying, vehicle loading and unloading, working in confined spaces, and operating on customer premises. Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, and tools that are suitable for moving and handling tasks. Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses to identify root causes and to prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including drivers, porters, packers, supervisors, and office staff, share responsibility for maintaining safe working conditions. Employees are expected to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and the safety of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided by the company. Use equipment, tools, personal protective equipment, and vehicles correctly and report any damage, defects, or concerns without delay. Cooperate with management on health and safety issues and participate in training and briefings. Report all accidents, incidents, near misses, and hazards so that corrective actions can be taken.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Chiswick Movers will carry out risk assessments for regular operations and for specific jobs where necessary. These assessments cover tasks such as manual handling, working on stairs, handling bulky or fragile items, traffic risks during loading, and working at customer premises with restricted access.
From these assessments, we develop safe working practices and method statements that may include pre-move surveys, use of lifting aids and trolleys, selection of team sizes, vehicle positioning, securing loads properly, and planning of access routes in and out of buildings.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is a major focus of our safety controls. We:
Provide manual handling training so staff understand correct lifting techniques and how to reduce strain and injury. Assess the weight, shape, and centre of gravity of items and allocate sufficient staff or lifting aids. Use appropriate equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, straps, sliders, and blankets to manage heavy or awkward loads. Avoid unsafe practices such as overreaching, twisting while lifting, or attempting to move items that exceed safe handling limits.
All equipment used in the course of removal work is checked regularly and maintained in a safe condition. Defective equipment is removed from service immediately.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are essential to our services and are maintained to ensure they are roadworthy and safe. We:
Conduct regular inspections, servicing, and checks of vehicles and loading equipment. Train drivers in safe loading, securing of loads, and careful driving to protect staff, cargo, and other road users. Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits, and parking rules, and to take account of weather, traffic conditions, and local restrictions. Encourage drivers to report any concerns regarding vehicle condition, route risks, or unsafe situations at loading and unloading points.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our teams operate at customer homes, offices, storage facilities, and public areas near vehicles. To protect customers and the public, we:
Plan access routes to minimise obstruction and trip hazards. Keep walkways as clear as reasonably practicable and use warning signs where appropriate. Handle doors, lifts, stairways, and shared spaces carefully and with consideration for other users. Take particular care when moving items through communal areas, along pavements, or across car parks, and when using trolleys on ramps or uneven surfaces.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Chiswick Movers recognises that training and competence are central to safe removal services. We:
Provide induction training on health and safety, emergency arrangements, and company rules. Deliver task-specific instruction on manual handling, equipment use, vehicle loading, and hazard awareness. Offer refresher training when needed, especially following incidents, introduction of new equipment, or changes to procedures. Ensure that supervisors and team leaders are competent to oversee operations and support new or less experienced staff.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, and near misses that occur during our activities must be reported as soon as possible. We keep records and review them to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
Emergency procedures are communicated to staff, including what to do in case of injury, fire, vehicle collisions, or other serious events. Staff are instructed to prioritise personal safety and the safety of others before property or goods.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy is actively monitored and reviewed on a regular basis, and additionally when there are significant changes to our operations, services, or relevant legislation. We seek feedback from employees and customers to improve our safety performance and service quality.
By following this policy and working together, Chiswick Movers aims to deliver professional removal services while protecting the well-being of everyone involved.
