Health and Safety policy
Hackney Movers Health and Safety Policy
Hackney Movers 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 aims, responsibilities, and practical measures to prevent accidents, injuries, and damage to property throughout our moving services.
Policy Aims and Commitments
We aim to manage health and safety as an integral part of our removal operations. Our objectives are to prevent work-related injuries and ill health, to comply with applicable health and safety legislation, and to continually improve our safety performance. We will provide the resources, equipment, and training needed to ensure that our services are carried out as safely as reasonably practicable.
Health and safety considerations are incorporated into planning for domestic removals, commercial moves, packing services, loading and unloading, transportation, and storage-related tasks. Management and employees share the responsibility for upholding this policy and promoting a positive safety culture.
Roles and Responsibilities
Company management is responsible for implementing and reviewing this policy, ensuring that safe systems of work are in place, that risk assessments are conducted, and that staff receive appropriate information, instruction, and training. Supervisors and team leaders must monitor working practices on site, address unsafe behaviour, and encourage reporting of hazards and near misses.
All employees, including drivers, porters, and packing staff, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow training and instructions, use equipment correctly, wear personal protective equipment where required, and immediately report any hazards, incidents, or concerns to management.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Prior to each removal job, Hackney Movers will assess foreseeable risks associated with the property, access routes, parking and loading areas, manual handling tasks, and the items to be moved. Where appropriate, site-specific risk assessments will be carried out and communicated to the team before work begins.
Safe systems of work will be established for tasks such as moving heavy furniture, transporting fragile items, using ramps or lifting equipment, navigating stairs and narrow access, and working near traffic or on public pathways. We will adapt methods where necessary to control risks, including the use of additional staff, mechanical aids, and revised loading plans.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key aspect of removal work and presents significant risk of injury if not controlled. All staff involved in lifting, carrying, and loading will receive manual handling training focused on safe lifting techniques, team lifts, planning the route, and recognising when to stop and seek assistance.
We will provide suitable handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps, moving blankets, and ramps to reduce strain and protect both staff and customers' belongings. All equipment will be inspected regularly and maintained in a safe condition. Employees must only use equipment they have been trained to use and must report defective or damaged items immediately.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to our operations and must be operated safely at all times. Hackney Movers will ensure that vehicles are maintained, inspected, and serviced in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Pre-use checks will be carried out by drivers, including tyres, lights, mirrors, and securing systems.
Drivers will receive training in safe driving practices, safe loading and unloading, securing loads to prevent movement during transit, and working safely at the kerbside. Driving hours and rest breaks will be managed to prevent fatigue. All traffic laws, parking regulations, and loading restrictions must be followed during operations.
Customer, Property, and Public Safety
We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, their property, and members of the public while providing removal services. Wherever possible, work areas will be organised to minimise obstruction and to maintain clear walkways and exits. Trip hazards such as loose packaging, tools, or trailing straps will be controlled, and heavy or awkward items will be moved with particular care.
Customers will be informed of relevant safety considerations, such as keeping children and pets away from active loading areas and avoiding entry to vehicles during operations. We will take precautions to protect floors, walls, and fixtures to reduce the risk of damage and associated hazards.
Training, Competence, and Supervision
Hackney Movers will provide appropriate induction and ongoing training in health and safety, manual handling, vehicle safety, emergency procedures, and job-specific risks. Only competent and trained staff will carry out high-risk tasks such as driving larger vehicles, using lifting equipment, or managing complex commercial moves.
Supervision will be proportionate to the level of risk and the experience of staff. New or less experienced employees will work under closer supervision until they are assessed as competent. Refresher training will be provided when work methods change, new equipment is introduced, or where incident investigations identify a need.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, injuries, and near misses arising from our work activities must be reported as soon as possible to management. Records will be kept, and investigations will be carried out to determine root causes and implement corrective actions. Lessons learned will be communicated to the wider team to prevent recurrence.
Staff will be briefed on emergency procedures relevant to each job, including fire evacuation at customer premises, dealing with spillages, road incidents, and first aid arrangements. Vehicles and sites will carry basic first aid supplies, and designated staff will receive first aid training where appropriate.
Health, Welfare, and Fitness for Work
We recognise the physical nature of removal work and the importance of staff welfare. Employees are expected to present themselves fit for duty and must not work under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impairs their ability to work safely. Any health condition that could affect safe working must be disclosed to management in confidence so that reasonable adjustments can be considered.
We encourage open communication about fatigue, stress, and workload pressures, and we will take steps to manage working hours and schedule demands to reduce excessive strain. Access to drinking water, rest breaks, and suitable welfare facilities will be arranged for staff where reasonably practicable during longer jobs.
Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when there are changes in legislation, work practices, equipment, or following significant incidents. Feedback from staff and customers will be considered as part of our commitment to continual improvement in health and safety performance.
By working together and following the principles outlined in this policy, Hackney Movers will deliver removal services in a manner that protects people, property, and the wider community.
