Removals Chelsea Health and Safety Policy

Removals Chelsea is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risk across all removal services, including domestic moves, commercial relocations, packing, loading, transport and storage.

We recognise our legal and moral responsibilities to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property. Health and safety considerations are integrated into the planning and delivery of all work, from initial booking and surveying through to final delivery and placement of items at the destination.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The objectives of this policy are to:

Protect the health, safety and welfare of all employees engaged in removal and associated activities.

Safeguard customers, visitors and the general public from risks arising from our operations.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and systems of work for all tasks undertaken.

Ensure that staff are trained, competent and appropriately supervised to carry out their duties safely.

Identify, assess and control hazards related to lifting, carrying, driving, loading, unloading and working in customers premises.

Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Removals Chelsea is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring adequate resources are available to maintain high safety standards. This includes providing appropriate training, equipment, supervision and time for staff to work safely.

Managers will ensure that risk assessments are carried out for key activities, that findings are communicated to staff and that necessary control measures are implemented. They are responsible for monitoring working practices, investigating accidents and near misses, and taking corrective action where required.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Staff must follow all safety instructions, use equipment provided for their protection and cooperate fully with management in meeting health and safety obligations.

Every member of the removals team is expected to:

Use safe lifting and handling techniques at all times.

Wear any personal protective equipment provided when required.

Report hazards, defects, accidents and near misses promptly to a supervisor.

Not misuse or interfere with any safety equipment or measures.

Drive company vehicles responsibly and in accordance with road safety rules.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Removals Chelsea undertakes risk assessments for typical removal activities and for any non‑routine or higher risk work. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, vehicle movements, working in confined or cluttered spaces and moving bulky or fragile items.

Findings from risk assessments are used to develop safe working procedures, which may include the use of lifting aids, additional operatives, route planning inside properties and specific loading or unloading methods. Staff are trained in these procedures and are expected to follow them at all times.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a central part of removals work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. Employees receive instruction on correct lifting techniques, team lifting, use of trolleys, skates and other handling aids, and the importance of assessing each item before attempting to move it.

Equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, ramps and securing straps is inspected regularly to ensure it remains safe and fit for purpose. Defective equipment is taken out of service immediately. Employees must not use equipment for any purpose other than that for which it is intended.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Company vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition in line with manufacturers guidance and legal requirements. Regular checks are carried out on tyres, brakes, lights, securing points and tail lifts where fitted.

Drivers are required to carry out pre‑use checks and report any defects. Loads must be distributed evenly and secured adequately to prevent movement in transit. Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking rules, and drive in a manner that prioritises the safety of passengers, other road users and pedestrians.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working in or around customer premises, our teams will take care to maintain safe access and egress, minimise obstruction and reduce noise and disturbance as far as practicable. Walkways and staircases are kept as clear as possible, and items are not left in positions where they could cause trips or falls.

Where work takes place on or near public pathways or shared access areas, staff will be alert to members of the public and move or cordon off items where necessary. Particular care is taken when moving large items through doorways and across pavements.

Training, Information and Supervision

Removals Chelsea provides appropriate health and safety training for all employees, including induction training for new starters and refresher training when required. Topics may include manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, site awareness and emergency procedures.

Supervisors are responsible for monitoring standards on site and intervening where unsafe practices are observed. Information about specific risks at each job, such as difficult access, restricted parking or unusual items, is communicated to the team before work begins.

Accidents, Incidents and First Aid

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported as soon as practicable so that they can be recorded and investigated. The purpose of investigation is to identify root causes and prevent recurrence, not to assign blame.

Appropriate first aid arrangements are maintained, and staff are informed of the location of first aid kits and the procedures to follow in the event of injury or sudden illness. Emergency contact and escalation procedures are communicated during training and site briefings.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Removals Chelsea encourages open communication about health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about how work can be carried out more safely and efficiently.

This policy and its supporting procedures are reviewed regularly and updated where necessary in light of changes in legislation, industry best practice, company operations or following significant incidents. Lessons learned are shared with relevant staff to support continual improvement in our health and safety performance.

Policy Review and Availability

This Health and Safety Policy is approved by the company management and is reviewed at least annually to ensure it remains effective and appropriate to the nature and scale of our removal services. It is available to all employees and customers on request and is communicated as part of our commitment to safe, professional removal services.