Health and Safety policy
Belgravia Movers Health and Safety Policy
Belgravia Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public affected by our removal and relocation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to identifying, managing, and reducing risks associated with lifting, carrying, transport, storage, and all other aspects of our moving services.
Policy Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill-health and to promote a culture where safety is integral to every removal project. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance by setting clear standards, monitoring our operations, and acting promptly on any concerns or incidents.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management 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 all work associated with packing, loading, transport, unloading, and storage is carried out safely and in accordance with relevant laws and best practice.
Management duties include conducting regular reviews of risk assessments, investigating incidents and near misses, updating safe working procedures, and communicating changes to all staff. Managers and supervisors must lead by example and promote a safety-first culture in every removal and delivery.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee, whether full-time, part-time, or temporary, has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow all safety instructions, use equipment correctly, attend training sessions, and report hazards, near misses, or unsafe conditions without delay.
Employees are expected to cooperate fully with Belgravia Movers in implementing this policy, including complying with safe systems of work, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, and refraining from any behaviour that could compromise safety during removal operations.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Belgravia Movers carries out regular risk assessments for all key activities, including domestic and commercial removals, packing services, furniture assembly, and the loading and unloading of vehicles. These assessments identify potential hazards such as manual handling risks, trips and falls, vehicle movements, use of equipment, and work at height.
Based on these assessments, we implement safe working practices tailored to our removal services. This may include planning access routes, using lifting aids, securing loads, and ensuring that work areas are kept clear of obstacles. Site-specific risks at customer premises are reviewed on arrival, and our teams are instructed to stop work if a serious and unmanaged safety risk is identified.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core element of removals and requires particular care. All staff involved in lifting and carrying furniture, boxes, and equipment receive training in correct lifting techniques and team lifting methods. Loads are assessed before being moved, and staff are encouraged to ask for assistance or use mechanical aids whenever necessary.
Belgravia Movers provides suitable tools and equipment to support safer handling, such as sack trucks, dollies, straps, blankets, and ramps. All equipment is inspected regularly, maintained in good working order, and taken out of service immediately if any defect is found.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are essential to our moving services and must be operated safely at all times. Belgravia Movers ensures that all drivers are properly licensed, competent, and familiar with the safe operation of our fleet. Drivers receive guidance on defensive driving, load securing, and safe parking practices.
Vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained to reduce the risk of mechanical failure or accidents. Loads are packed and secured to prevent movement during transit, taking into account weight distribution and access requirements at origin and destination addresses.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be fully eliminated through other controls, Belgravia Movers provides appropriate personal protective equipment. This may include safety footwear, gloves, high-visibility clothing, and other protective items relevant to specific tasks.
Employees are responsible for wearing the equipment provided, keeping it in good condition, and reporting any damage or need for replacement. Management is responsible for ensuring that suitable equipment is available and that its use is enforced where required.
Training, Communication, and Supervision
Belgravia Movers recognises that effective training and communication are vital to maintaining high safety standards. All new employees receive induction training covering our health and safety procedures, safe handling practices, emergency arrangements, and reporting procedures.
Ongoing training is provided as needed, including refreshers on manual handling, vehicle safety, and the correct use of equipment. Supervisors monitor working practices on site, provide guidance to team members, and intervene if unsafe behaviour or conditions are observed.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near misses, and cases of work-related ill-health must be reported promptly to a manager or supervisor. Accurate recording of these events helps us identify trends, learn lessons, and prevent recurrence.
Belgravia Movers investigates incidents to determine root causes and implements corrective actions, which may include revising procedures, improving training, or updating equipment. Employees are encouraged to participate openly in investigations to support a culture of continuous improvement rather than blame.
Customer and Public Safety
Our duty of care extends to customers, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal activities. We plan our work to minimise disruption, keep access routes clear, and manage vehicle movements safely around residential and commercial premises.
Where necessary, barriers, warning signs, or temporary exclusions may be used to keep people away from hazardous areas. Our teams are instructed to be vigilant, courteous, and responsive to any concerns raised by customers regarding safety.
Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as required to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, or the nature of our services. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and used to improve our safety management systems.
By working together, Belgravia Movers aims to ensure that every removal, delivery, and related service is carried out with the highest regard for health and safety, protecting our staff, our customers, and the wider community.
