Westminster Removals Health and Safety Policy

Westminster 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 activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all removal and relocation services we provide.

We recognise that professional removals work involves manual handling, vehicle operations, access to residential and commercial premises, and handling of a wide range of furniture and effects. We therefore take a proactive approach to identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing appropriate controls.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

Westminster Removals will, so far as is reasonably practicable:

Provide and maintain safe systems of work for all removal and associated services.

Ensure that all vehicles, tools, lifting equipment and materials are suitable, properly maintained, and used safely.

Provide information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary for employees to carry out their work safely.

Assess the risks to the health and safety of employees and others, and implement proportionate control measures.

Maintain safe access to and egress from all places of work, including customer premises and storage locations.

Promote a positive health and safety culture where all staff take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.

Responsibilities and Management

The overall responsibility for health and safety within Westminster Removals rests with senior management. They ensure that adequate resources are made available to implement this policy and that health and safety is integrated into business planning and decision-making.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day implementation of this policy on site. They must make sure that risk assessments and method statements are followed, that staff use appropriate personal protective equipment, and that unsafe practices are challenged and corrected.

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 or omissions. Employees must cooperate with management by following safety procedures, using equipment correctly, and reporting hazards or incidents promptly.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedures

Before carrying out removal work, Westminster Removals conducts suitable and proportionate risk assessments. Particular attention is given to manual handling, access routes, stairs, lifts, parking and loading arrangements, weather conditions, and any special items such as pianos, safes, or fragile valuables.

Where significant risks are identified, we establish safe systems of work and communicate these clearly to all staff involved. This may include using additional equipment, allocating extra personnel, adjusting the sequence of tasks, or, where necessary, declining work that cannot be carried out safely.

We regularly review and update our risk assessments and procedures to reflect changes in working practices, equipment, legislation, or lessons learned from incidents and near misses.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a key focus of our safety management. Employees receive training in safe lifting techniques, team lifts, and the correct use of handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and ramps.

We plan jobs to minimise unnecessary lifting and carrying, make full use of mechanical aids, and avoid hazardous lifting wherever possible. Heavy or awkward items are only moved by sufficiently trained personnel and with appropriate equipment.

All vehicles, tail lifts, ramps, and other equipment are inspected and maintained at appropriate intervals to ensure they remain safe and fit for use.

Vehicles, Driving, and Site Access

Our drivers and crews are required to operate vehicles safely and courteously at all times. This includes driving within speed limits, observing parking restrictions so far as reasonably practicable, and using hazard warnings when loading or unloading.

Where site access is tight or complex, we assess the safest achievable approach, reversing where necessary under guidance from a trained banksman. We aim to protect the safety of pedestrians, neighbours, and other road users in the vicinity of our operations.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise that our work often takes place in occupied homes, offices, and shared spaces. Our crews take care to protect flooring, fixtures, and fittings, maintain clear walkways, and avoid creating trip hazards with packaging materials, tools, or cables.

Where possible, we designate safe routes for moving items, keep doors and gates under control, and clearly communicate with customers and any on-site personnel about the work taking place. We take particular care where children, vulnerable adults, or pets are present.

Training, Information, and Consultation

All new employees receive an induction that covers our health and safety expectations, reporting procedures, and safe working practices. Additional task-specific training is provided for team leaders, drivers, and those handling specialist items.

We provide ongoing refresher training to ensure that skills remain up to date and that changes to procedures or equipment are understood. Employees are encouraged to raise health and safety concerns and to suggest improvements to our working methods.

Accident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to a supervisor as soon as possible. We maintain appropriate records and, where required, make statutory reports to the relevant authorities.

We investigate incidents to identify underlying causes and implement corrective and preventive actions. Lessons learned are shared with teams and, where appropriate, built into updated training and procedures.

Health, Welfare, and Wellbeing

Westminster Removals recognises the importance of protecting both the physical and mental wellbeing of our employees. We take steps to avoid excessive working hours, ensure breaks are taken as necessary, and provide suitable welfare arrangements where reasonably practicable during longer jobs or travel.

We do not tolerate the use of drugs or alcohol while at work or on company business. Any employee who is unfit for work due to substances or illness must not carry out driving or manual handling duties.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, and our own operations. The latest version is communicated to all employees and is available for customers to view on request.

By following this policy, Westminster Removals aims to deliver a professional, efficient, and safe removals service for every customer we serve.