Balham Removals Health and Safety Policy

Balham Removals is committed to providing professional moving and storage services in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals work, including packing, lifting, loading, transport and delivery of household and commercial goods across our service areas.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. Senior management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and provides the resources, training and supervision necessary to maintain high standards.

All employees, regardless of role or location, are required to work safely, follow company procedures and take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Legal Compliance and Continual Improvement

Balham Removals complies with all applicable health and safety legislation, industry regulations and recognised best practice for the removals sector. We monitor developments in law and guidance and review our procedures to ensure they remain up to date and effective.

Health and safety performance is subject to regular review. We seek continual improvement through the investigation of incidents and near misses, analysis of trends, staff feedback and management reviews of this policy.

Roles and Responsibilities

Company Directors provide leadership on health and safety matters, approve this policy and ensure adequate resources are available for its implementation. They are responsible for setting measurable objectives and monitoring performance.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation of this policy on moves and at all operating locations. Their duties include planning work safely, conducting and reviewing risk assessments, ensuring that vehicles and equipment are suitable and maintained, and that staff are competent for the tasks they undertake.

Employees are required to follow safe systems of work, attend training, use personal protective equipment correctly, report hazards and cooperate fully with all health and safety arrangements. No employee is expected to undertake work that they believe cannot be carried out safely.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Balham Removals conducts risk assessments for all significant activities, including but not limited to manual handling, working in confined or restricted spaces such as stairwells, use of lifting equipment, driving, loading and unloading vehicles, working at height when required, and handling fragile or heavy items.

Risk assessments are used to develop clear safe systems of work that are communicated to staff through training, briefings and written procedures. These assessments are reviewed following any incident, change in work process, introduction of new equipment or at regular intervals.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core element of removal operations. We aim to eliminate or reduce manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable by using appropriate equipment and planning. Where manual handling is unavoidable, we ensure that loads are assessed for weight, shape and stability and that sufficient staff and suitable techniques are used.

Staff receive manual handling training tailored to the removals environment, covering posture, team lifting, use of handling aids and recognition of personal limits. Mechanical aids such as sack trucks, trolleys, stair climbers and lifting straps are provided where appropriate, and employees are trained in their safe use.

All equipment is selected, inspected, maintained and replaced as necessary to ensure safety. Defective equipment is removed from use immediately and reported to management.

Driving and Vehicle Safety

Our vehicles are critical to our operations and must be operated safely at all times. Balham Removals ensures that drivers are properly licensed, competent and familiar with the vehicles they operate. Drivers must comply with road traffic law, adhere to speed limits and drive in a manner appropriate to conditions.

Vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained to manufacturers recommendations and legal requirements. Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit and to avoid risk to drivers, other road users and the public. Parking and access near customer premises are assessed in advance where possible to minimise risks related to traffic, reversing and loading.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our work often takes place in and around customer homes, offices and shared public spaces. We take care to minimise disruption and hazards by maintaining tidy work areas, using warning signs or barriers where necessary, and planning safe routes for carrying items through buildings and outside areas.

We take particular care when working in busy residential streets, shared entrances, staircases, corridors and communal areas, ensuring that equipment and packed items do not create trip or impact hazards. Where necessary, we coordinate with customers, building managers or neighbours to plan safe access and egress.

Training, Competence and Communication

Balham Removals provides appropriate health and safety training for all employees, including induction training for new starters and refresher training at suitable intervals. Training covers general health and safety awareness and specific topics relevant to removals such as manual handling, vehicle safety, equipment use, working in different types of properties and emergency procedures.

We ensure that supervisors are able to lead by example and to brief their teams on the specific risks and controls related to each job. Health and safety information is communicated through meetings, toolbox talks, written instructions and on-the-job coaching.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents and near misses, however minor, must be reported to management as soon as practicable. Balham Removals investigates such events to identify underlying causes and to implement corrective and preventative actions. We do not allocate blame for honest reporting and encourage a culture of openness to improve safety for everyone.

Welfare, Health and Wellbeing

We recognise the importance of employee welfare, including access to rest breaks, drinking water and toilet facilities, particularly during longer jobs and when working at customer premises. Work is planned to avoid excessive hours and fatigue, especially for drivers and staff undertaking physically demanding tasks.

We aim to protect employees from work-related stress and encourage any concerns about workload, physical strain or wellbeing to be raised with management so that reasonable adjustments or support can be considered.

Review of Policy

This Health and Safety Policy is formally reviewed at least annually and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, equipment, legal requirements or organisational structure. Updated versions are communicated to all staff and are made available to customers and other interested parties on request.

Balham Removals expects all employees and contractors to support the implementation of this policy so that every move is completed safely, efficiently and with respect for people, property and the wider community.