Health and Safety policy
Marylebone Movers Health and Safety Policy
Marylebone Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, visitors and clients. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, packing, loading, unloading, transportation and storage activities.
We recognise that moving and handling furniture, personal belongings and commercial equipment involves specific risks. We therefore place safety at the centre of all planning and operations, with the aim of preventing injury, ill health and damage to property or the environment.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aims of this policy are to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, to identify and control safety risks arising from our work activities, and to promote a positive health and safety culture throughout Marylebone Movers.
Our objectives include maintaining safe systems of work for all removal and transportation tasks, ensuring employees are properly trained and supervised, providing appropriate equipment and personal protective equipment, and continually improving our safety performance through monitoring and review.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for health and safety within Marylebone Movers. They ensure that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy, including time, staffing and equipment.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day to day implementation of this policy. They must ensure that risk assessments are carried out for relevant activities, that staff receive suitable induction and ongoing training, and that safe working procedures are followed at all times.
Management will lead by example, demonstrating visible commitment to safe practices during surveys, planning, loading, transport and delivery operations.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has 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. All staff are required to cooperate with the company in meeting our health and safety obligations.
Employees must follow all safety procedures and instructions, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment, and promptly report hazards, incidents, accidents or near misses to their supervisor.
Staff must not misuse or interfere with anything provided in the interests of health and safety, including lifting equipment, vehicles, restraints, ramps or protective devices.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Marylebone Movers will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for activities such as manual handling, use of vehicles, working at height when loading, operating in confined or difficult access areas, and handling fragile, bulky or heavy items.
Safe systems of work will be developed and communicated to all relevant employees. These include safe lifting techniques, team lifting arrangements, use of trolleys and ramps, securing loads inside vehicles, and procedures for handling awkward or high value items.
Risk assessments will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to work practices, equipment or locations.
Manual Handling and Lifting Operations
Manual handling is a core part of removal operations and is a particular focus of our safety arrangements. We aim to minimise the need for manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable through planning, use of mechanical aids and careful route selection.
All employees involved in lifting and carrying will receive training in safe manual handling techniques, including correct posture, assessing weight and stability, team coordination and recognising their own limits.
Heavy, awkward or large items will be assessed before moving, and appropriate equipment such as dollies, barrows, lifting straps or sliders will be used where necessary. No employee is expected to move any item they consider unsafe to handle.
Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety
Company vehicles will be maintained in a safe, roadworthy condition and inspected at appropriate intervals. Drivers must hold the correct licence and be authorised to operate the relevant vehicle.
Loads will be distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit, taking particular care with tall, heavy or fragile items. Access ramps and steps will be used in line with manufacturer guidance, and areas around vehicles will be kept as clear as reasonably practicable.
Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, observe speed limits, avoid distraction and ensure they are fit to drive. Routes and schedules will be planned to allow for safe driving practices and appropriate rest breaks.
Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment
Marylebone Movers will provide suitable equipment for the tasks undertaken, including moving equipment, protective coverings, straps and other handling aids. All equipment will be maintained, stored correctly and inspected regularly.
Where required by risk assessments, personal protective equipment such as safety footwear, gloves, high visibility clothing or other items will be supplied. Employees must use such equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Workplace and Client Premises Safety
Our activities take place both at our own premises and at client locations. We will take reasonable steps to protect the safety of clients, their families, employees and members of the public during removal operations.
Teams will assess access routes, stairways, lifts, doorways and parking areas before starting work. Measures such as corner protection, floor coverings and clear walkways will be used to reduce risks of slip, trip and impact hazards.
Where necessary, staff will communicate with clients about temporary restrictions on access to certain areas while heavy or bulky items are being moved.
Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work
Marylebone Movers recognises the importance of physical and mental wellbeing in carrying out removal work safely. Employees are expected to present for work in a fit and safe condition and to inform management of any health issues that may affect their ability to carry out specific tasks.
We will not permit employees to work under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances. Use of prescribed medication must be discussed with management if it could impact safety critical tasks such as driving or heavy lifting.
Training, Information and Supervision
All new employees will receive an induction that covers relevant health and safety information, safe working procedures and emergency arrangements. Role specific training will be provided for drivers, team leaders, packers and specialist handlers.
Refresher training will be given periodically and when new equipment, vehicles or procedures are introduced. Supervisors will monitor working practices and provide on the job guidance to maintain safety standards.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses, damage to property and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records will be kept and investigated to identify root causes and to implement corrective actions.
Lessons learned from incidents will be shared with staff and, where necessary, procedures will be updated to prevent recurrence.
Emergency Procedures
Emergency procedures will be in place for fire, serious injury, vehicle incidents and other foreseeable emergencies. Staff will be briefed on how to raise the alarm, contact emergency services where required and follow evacuation or incident management instructions.
Where we work at client premises, we will cooperate with their emergency procedures while maintaining our own responsibilities for the safety of our team and members of the public.
Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, company operations or identified risks. Employee feedback and incident analysis will be used to support continual improvement in our health and safety performance.
Marylebone Movers expects everyone connected with our activities to share our commitment to safe working. By working together, we can deliver efficient and professional removal services while protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff, clients and the wider community.
