Lambeth Removals Health and Safety Policy Statement

Lambeth Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public affected by our removal and relocation services. Our aim is to prevent injury, protect health, and minimise risks associated with our operations at homes, offices, storage facilities, and on the road.

This policy sets out our approach to health and safety management for all activities including packing, loading, transporting, unloading, and placing items at their destination.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

We aim to achieve high standards of safety performance by:

Identifying and assessing risks linked to removals work and putting effective control measures in place. Providing information, instruction, training, and supervision to ensure tasks are carried out safely. Maintaining our vehicles, equipment, and work practices so they remain safe and fit for purpose. Encouraging a positive safety culture where everyone is responsible for safe behaviour. Reviewing incidents, near misses, and feedback so we can continuously improve.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Lambeth Removals has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. Management will:

Ensure appropriate resources are allocated to health and safety. Set clear safety standards and communicate them to all staff. Carry out regular risk assessments and review control measures. Monitor performance through inspections, audits, and incident reviews. Lead by example, promoting safe working practices at all times.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Everyone working for Lambeth Removals is expected to:

Follow all health and safety procedures and safe systems of work. Use vehicles, tools, and equipment correctly and only for their intended purpose. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment where required. Report hazards, near misses, and incidents promptly to management. Cooperate with training, supervision, and any investigation into accidents or unsafe acts. Refrain from working under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that may impair safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We conduct risk assessments for all key tasks involved in our removals services, including manual handling, working in confined or awkward spaces, vehicle loading, and work at height such as use of ramps or access to higher storeys.

From these assessments we develop safe systems of work that cover:

Planning routes, parking, and access before each job. Securing safe access and exit points at properties. Ensuring adequate lighting and clear walkways when moving items. Using correct manual handling techniques and mechanical aids where practical. Managing trip, slip, and fall hazards during loading and unloading. Protecting bystanders and customers from moving loads and vehicles.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removals work and is a significant source of potential injury. Lambeth Removals will:

Provide manual handling training covering lifting, carrying, team lifts, and the use of handling aids. Encourage staff to assess their own capability before attempting a lift. Use appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies, furniture blankets, straps, and ramps to minimise physical strain. Avoid single-person carrying of heavy, bulky, or awkward items wherever possible. Plan lifts in advance, including route, grip, and communication between team members.

Vehicle, Driving, and Road Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our service and must be operated safely at all times. We will:

Maintain vehicles regularly and keep records of safety checks. Ensure drivers hold the correct licence and are competent and medically fit to drive. Require drivers to carry out pre-use checks before starting a journey. Secure loads properly to prevent movement during transport and when doors are opened. Plan routes to allow safe access to properties, with consideration for parking, loading, and unloading areas. Manage driving hours and rest breaks so that fatigue risks are reduced.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Work at customers premises and in shared spaces must be managed carefully to protect all present. We will:

Respect and follow any on-site safety rules that apply. Take care to prevent damage to property, fixtures, and fittings while working. Identify and control hazards such as uneven surfaces, low ceilings, and narrow staircases. Keep routes as clear as reasonably possible and highlight any remaining trip or slip risks. Position vehicles safely so doors and ramps do not endanger pedestrians or other road users.

Training, Communication, and Competence

Lambeth Removals provides training to all relevant staff so they can perform their roles safely and confidently. This includes induction training for new starters and ongoing instruction on topics such as manual handling, equipment use, vehicle checks, and emergency procedures.

We will ensure that safety information is communicated clearly and that staff know who to speak to about health and safety issues. Additional training will be arranged when new equipment, working methods, or risks are introduced.

Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting

We encourage prompt reporting of all accidents, incidents, injuries, and near misses, however minor they may seem. This allows us to investigate the causes and take action to prevent recurrence.

We will:

Record and review all reported events. Investigate significant incidents to identify root causes. Share lessons learned with staff and update procedures where appropriate. Cooperate with any external investigations or requirements that may arise.

Health, Welfare, and Wellbeing

Lambeth Removals recognises the importance of physical and mental wellbeing. We aim to manage work in a way that reduces unnecessary stress and fatigue. Reasonable steps will be taken to provide safe welfare arrangements such as rest breaks, access to drinking water where practicable, and support after serious incidents.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, services, or legal duties. We seek feedback from employees and customers to help improve our safety performance.

All employees are expected to familiarise themselves with this policy and to work with Lambeth Removals to maintain a safe, professional, and reliable removals service.