Paddington Removals Health and Safety Policy

Paddington Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our work. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage risks associated with removals, transport and related services.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm during all activities carried out by Paddington Removals. We will identify, assess and control health and safety risks arising from our work and ensure that our services are delivered in a responsible and safe manner.

We recognise our duties under relevant health and safety legislation and apply industry best practice so that our teams can carry out removals safely in homes, offices, storage facilities and on the road.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Paddington Removals has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. Management will ensure that appropriate resources, training and supervision are provided so that safe systems of work are developed, communicated and followed by all staff.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for:

Planning work to minimise risks to people and property.

Ensuring that employees understand safe working procedures.

Monitoring compliance with this policy and taking corrective action when necessary.

Reviewing incidents, near misses and customer feedback to improve safety performance.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee of Paddington Removals has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must:

Follow the training, instructions and procedures provided.

Use equipment and vehicles correctly and report any defects or hazards immediately.

Cooperate with management in achieving safe working conditions.

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment where required.

Report all accidents, incidents and near misses without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for typical removal activities, including lifting and carrying, use of trolleys and equipment, driving and loading vehicles, working at height when loading, and working in customers premises. Site specific risks such as narrow staircases, restricted access, heavy items, parking limitations and shared public areas are assessed before and during each job.

Based on these assessments we establish safe systems of work, which may include using additional staff for heavy items, planning safe lifting routes, using specialist moving equipment, securing parking, and coordinating with customers to keep children, pets and other occupants away from active work areas.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core part of our work and is a key focus of our safety approach. All removal staff receive training on correct lifting techniques, team lifting, use of trolleys and sliders, and recognition of loads that are too heavy or awkward to move safely by hand.

Where possible, we use mechanical aids such as sack trucks, dollies and ramps to reduce manual handling risks. Staff are instructed never to exceed safe lifting limits or take unnecessary risks to move items. Customers may be advised when an item cannot be moved safely without additional resources or equipment.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are subject to regular checks and servicing. Drivers must carry out basic pre use checks and report any defects immediately. Loads are arranged and secured to prevent movement during transit and to protect both staff and customers property.

All drivers are required to follow road traffic laws, safe driving practices and company guidelines on rest breaks and journey planning. When parking near customers premises, drivers must consider the safety of pedestrians, other road users and property, and must use hazard warnings and cones where appropriate.

Working at Customer Premises

Our teams work in a wide range of domestic and commercial premises. Respect for the property and safety of customers and the public is central to how we operate. On arrival, the team leader will identify potential hazards such as uneven surfaces, loose carpets, low ceilings, fragile fixtures, or shared access areas.

Protective materials such as floor covers, corner guards and furniture blankets are used where appropriate. We seek cooperation from customers to keep access routes clear and to ensure that children, pets and other occupants remain at a safe distance from lifting and carrying activities.

Equipment, Personal Protective Equipment and Maintenance

Paddington Removals provides suitable tools, equipment and personal protective equipment required for safe removals work. This may include gloves, safety footwear, high visibility clothing, straps, trolleys and other lifting aids.

All equipment is to be used only for its intended purpose and in accordance with training and instructions. Damaged or defective equipment must be taken out of service and reported so that it can be repaired or replaced.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide induction training for new employees and ongoing training for existing staff to ensure that they understand our health and safety procedures and the specific risks associated with removal work. Training covers manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, hazard awareness in homes and workplaces, and emergency procedures.

Supervisors and team leaders monitor working practices on site and provide guidance and support to ensure that procedures are followed consistently.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and instances of damage to property must be reported as soon as possible to a manager or supervisor. Records are kept and reviewed to identify trends and areas for improvement.

Staff are briefed on basic emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, road traffic incident or other emergencies that may arise during removals. Where necessary, work will be stopped if conditions become unsafe.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage employees to raise health and safety concerns and suggestions for improvement. Regular discussions and reviews help us to update our practices and respond to new risks or changes in our service.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or relevant legislation. Updated versions are communicated to all staff so that safety standards remain at the core of Paddington Removals services.