Maida Hill Removals Health and Safety Policy

Maida Hill Removals 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 removal and relocation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, packing, loading, transportation, and storage services.

We aim to conduct all operations in a way that prevents injury, ill health, and damage to property, while promoting continuous improvement in our health and safety performance.

Policy Objectives

The core objectives of this Health and Safety Policy are to:

Identify, assess, and control risks associated with removal and relocation work, including lifting, carrying, vehicle operations, and the handling of customer belongings.

Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation, codes of practice, and relevant industry standards.

Provide safe systems of work, safe equipment, and suitable personal protective equipment where necessary.

Ensure all employees receive appropriate information, instruction, and training to work safely and competently.

Encourage a positive health and safety culture in which staff are empowered to report hazards, raise concerns, and contribute to improvements.

Regularly review and, where necessary, revise this policy to ensure it remains effective and up to date.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Maida Hill Removals holds overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy. Management will:

Provide adequate resources, including time, personnel, and equipment, to support safe working practices in all removal operations.

Ensure that risk assessments are completed, recorded, communicated, and reviewed for typical tasks, including packing, loading, unloading, transporting, and storing items.

Maintain vehicles, lifting equipment, and handling tools in safe working order, with appropriate inspections and servicing.

Implement procedures for reporting, recording, and investigating accidents, near misses, and hazardous incidents, and ensure that corrective actions are taken promptly.

Lead by example in promoting a strong safety culture and demonstrating visible commitment to health and safety standards.

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 actions. Employees of Maida Hill Removals are expected to:

Follow all safety instructions, safe systems of work, and company procedures, including manual handling techniques, vehicle safety rules, and site-specific requirements.

Use equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects or concerns immediately.

Cooperate with management in all matters relating to health and safety, including attending training sessions and toolbox talks.

Report accidents, near misses, hazards, and unsafe conditions as soon as possible so that appropriate measures can be taken.

Refrain from reckless or unsafe behaviour and avoid working under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that may impair judgement or performance.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Maida Hill Removals conducts risk assessments for regular tasks and for specific projects or locations where required. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, vehicle movements, working at height when using ramps or steps, and the handling of fragile or heavy items.

From these assessments, safe working procedures are developed and implemented. Examples include:

Planning access routes in and out of properties to minimise tripping hazards and ensure safe carrying distances.

Using appropriate lifting techniques and team lifts for heavy or awkward items to reduce the risk of strains and injuries.

Ensuring vehicles are parked and loaded safely, with balanced loads and secure fixing of items to prevent movement in transit.

Maintaining clear communication between drivers, porters, and supervisors during loading, unloading, and manoeuvring of vehicles.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Maida Hill Removals recognises that competent and informed staff are essential to safe operations. We provide suitable training and supervision, including:

Induction training for new employees, covering core health and safety rules, emergency procedures, and company expectations.

Task-specific training, such as manual handling, safe lifting, use of equipment, and correct loading and securing of goods.

Ongoing refresher training and updates where there are changes to work practices, equipment, or relevant legislation.

Appropriate supervision of less experienced staff to ensure that safe working methods are followed on every job.

Vehicles, Equipment, and PPE

All vehicles used for removal services are inspected and serviced regularly to ensure they are safe, roadworthy, and suitable for the tasks undertaken. Lifting aids and handling equipment are maintained in good condition and checked frequently.

Where required, employees are provided with suitable personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear, and high-visibility clothing. Staff are instructed in the correct use, care, and storage of this equipment, and are expected to use it as directed.

Customer and Public Safety

Maida Hill Removals takes reasonable steps to protect customers and members of the public during removal activities. This includes:

Planning work to minimise disruption and avoid creating unnecessary hazards in shared or public areas.

Using warning signs or verbal communication to alert people to moving vehicles, lifting operations, or temporary trip hazards such as ramps and equipment.

Taking particular care in residential streets and commercial areas where space is limited and there may be vulnerable road users or pedestrians.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, and near misses that occur during our operations must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. They are recorded and investigated to identify root causes and put in place measures to prevent recurrence.

Emergency procedures, including basic first aid arrangements, fire safety awareness, and vehicle breakdown protocols, are communicated to employees. Staff receive guidance on how to respond safely to incidents, protect themselves and others, and notify the appropriate emergency services when required.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

Maida Hill Removals monitors health and safety performance through the review of incident reports, feedback from staff and customers, and periodic checks of working practices. Lessons learned from incidents or near misses are used to improve our procedures and training.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly, and whenever there are significant changes in legislation, work practices, or the nature of our services. Updated versions are communicated to all relevant parties so that everyone understands their responsibilities and the standards expected.

By working together and maintaining these commitments, Maida Hill Removals aims to carry out all removal and relocation services safely, responsibly, and with consideration for the wellbeing of everyone involved.