Health and Safety policy
Kentish Town Movers Health and Safety Policy
Kentish Town Movers is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and relocation activities. This policy sets out our approach to identifying, controlling and monitoring health and safety risks associated with household and commercial moves, storage handling, packing and transportation.
Policy Aims and Responsibilities
Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by integrating health and safety considerations into all aspects of our planning and operations. Senior management has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented, maintained and periodically reviewed. Managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day health and safety arrangements on site and on the road, while every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others.
All staff are expected to follow safe working practices, use equipment correctly and report any hazards, incidents or near-misses without delay. No task is so urgent or important that it cannot be carried out safely.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Kentish Town Movers conducts risk assessments for regular operations and specific moves where particular risks are identified, such as restricted access, heavy or awkward items, or high-value equipment. These assessments are used to introduce appropriate control measures, including safe systems of work, additional staffing, or specialist handling equipment.
Written procedures are provided for key removal activities including lifting and carrying, loading and unloading vehicles, securing loads, use of trolleys and ramps, and working in stairwells, corridors and communal areas. These procedures are communicated to staff during training and reinforced through supervision and periodic reviews.
Training, Competence and Supervision
We provide ongoing training to ensure employees are competent to carry out their roles safely. This includes induction training for new starters, instruction on manual handling techniques, safe use of vehicles and equipment, emergency procedures and the correct use of personal protective equipment.
Supervisors monitor working practices on removal jobs to ensure that safety standards are maintained and that inexperienced staff are properly supported. Refresher training is organised where necessary, particularly following changes in equipment, procedures or relevant guidance.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant part of removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Staff are trained to assess loads, use team lifting where appropriate, and avoid hazardous movements such as twisting while carrying. Wherever reasonably practicable, suitable handling aids such as sack trucks, furniture dollies and moving straps are provided and used.
All equipment used during moves, including lifting aids, ramps, blankets, straps and securing devices, is maintained in good condition and checked regularly. Defective equipment is taken out of service immediately and reported to management.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are selected and maintained to support safe transportation of goods. Regular checks are carried out on brakes, lights, tyres, securing points and tail lifts where fitted. Drivers are responsible for daily walkaround inspections and for reporting any defects without delay.
Drivers and crew members must follow safe driving practices, comply with road traffic regulations and ensure that loads are evenly distributed and properly secured before departure. No one is permitted to operate a vehicle or tail lift without appropriate training and authorisation.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, neighbours, visitors and the general public during removal and delivery operations. On arrival, the crew assesses access routes, identifies potential hazards and takes reasonable steps to reduce risks, for example by keeping walkways clear, using warning signs where appropriate and coordinating vehicle movements safely.
Care is taken to minimise trip hazards from equipment, packing materials and trailing straps. Where lifts, communal areas or shared driveways are used, staff work considerately and communicate clearly with anyone who may be affected.
Workplace Health, Welfare and Hygiene
Kentish Town Movers aims to provide suitable welfare facilities for employees, including access to rest breaks, drinking water and sanitary arrangements where practicable. We promote good hygiene, particularly when handling used furniture and equipment, and provide guidance on cleaning hands, using gloves where appropriate and maintaining personal protective equipment.
We are committed to supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of our staff by encouraging open communication about health concerns, workload and fatigue, and by adjusting duties where reasonably practicable.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near-misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records are kept so that trends can be identified and corrective actions taken. Where required, incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities in line with legal obligations.
Emergency procedures are in place for fire, traffic incidents, personal injury and property damage. Staff are briefed on how to respond, including summoning assistance, using basic first aid where trained and prioritising the safety of people over property.
Consultation, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
We encourage employees to contribute ideas for improving health and safety, and to raise concerns without fear of criticism. Feedback from staff, customers and contractors is taken seriously and used to refine our procedures.
Management periodically reviews this policy, risk assessments and working practices to ensure they remain effective and reflect current regulations, industry guidance and the nature of our work. Revisions to the policy are communicated to all staff, and additional training is provided where required.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at least annually, and sooner if there are significant changes to legislation, our operations or identified risks. Kentish Town Movers is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance as an integral part of delivering reliable, professional removal services.
