Health and Safety policy
Brixton Movers Health and Safety Policy
Brixton Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, visitors, and the wider public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risk in all removal and relocation services, including packing, loading, transport, delivery, and on-site handling of goods.
Our aim is to prevent injuries, protect health, and promote a culture where safety is a shared responsibility throughout every aspect of our operations.
Policy Objectives
The main objectives of this Health and Safety Policy are to:
Identify and control hazards associated with household and commercial removals.
Ensure that work is planned and carried out safely, efficiently, and with minimal risk.
Provide appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision to all staff.
Maintain vehicles, equipment, and tools in a safe and serviceable condition.
Comply with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.
Continually improve our health and safety performance and working methods.
Management Responsibilities
Company management has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:
Allocating adequate resources for health and safety measures and equipment.
Ensuring risk assessments are completed, reviewed regularly, and acted upon.
Providing suitable training and guidance to all members of the removals team.
Ensuring that all vehicles used for removals are roadworthy and safe.
Monitoring performance, investigating incidents, and implementing corrective actions.
Reviewing this policy regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Brixton Movers shares responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. All staff are expected to:
Work in a safe manner and follow all safety instructions and procedures.
Use the equipment, vehicles, and protective gear provided for their intended purposes.
Report hazards, near misses, accidents, and unsafe conditions promptly.
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others.
Attend and participate in all required training sessions and safety briefings.
Cooperate fully with management in implementing health and safety measures.
Risk Assessment and Planning
Before undertaking any removal work, Brixton Movers assesses the risks associated with the task. This may include:
Surveying the property for access issues, narrow staircases, uneven surfaces, and trip hazards.
Identifying fragile, heavy, or awkward items requiring special handling.
Planning safe lifting routes through buildings, corridors, and outdoor areas.
Assessing parking and loading arrangements to minimise risks near roads and driveways.
Determining staff numbers and equipment needed to complete the move safely.
Where higher risks are identified, additional control measures, equipment, or staff may be allocated to ensure safe completion of the work.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Lifting and moving heavy or bulky items is a core part of removal work. To reduce the risk of injury:
All staff receive instruction in safe lifting techniques and manual handling best practice.
Team members are encouraged to ask for assistance when moving large or heavy items.
Mechanical aids such as trolleys and dollies are used whenever appropriate.
Items are broken down into smaller loads where possible to reduce strain.
Planned rest breaks and realistic job scheduling help to minimise fatigue-related risks.
Use of Equipment and Vehicles
Brixton Movers ensures that all equipment and vehicles used in our services are suitable and maintained. This includes:
Carrying out regular inspections and servicing of removal vehicles.
Ensuring loading areas within vehicles are secure and properly organised.
Using straps, blankets, and protective materials to secure loads during transit.
Maintaining trolleys, lifting aids, and other tools in safe working order.
Only allowing trained and authorised staff to drive company vehicles.
Customer and Public Safety
We take care to protect the safety of customers, visitors, neighbours, and the general public during removal activities. To achieve this, we:
Plan loading and unloading to avoid unnecessary obstruction of pavements and access routes.
Keep walkways clear of packing materials, tools, and loose items where possible.
Communicate clearly with customers about areas that should remain free for safe movement.
Exercise increased caution when working in communal areas or shared driveways.
Take particular care when moving items in and out of properties near roads or traffic.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Brixton Movers provides staff with appropriate training and guidance to perform their duties safely. This may include:
Induction training on company health and safety rules and expectations.
Manual handling and safe lifting training for removal staff.
Driver safety and safe loading training for vehicle operators.
Ongoing toolbox talks and refresher sessions on specific risks and procedures.
On-site supervision by experienced team leaders during complex or high-risk moves.
Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses
All accidents, injuries, property damage, and near misses are taken seriously. Brixton Movers will:
Record details of incidents in line with internal procedures.
Investigate the circumstances to identify root causes and contributing factors.
Implement corrective and preventive actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Review risk assessments and working methods where necessary following incidents.
Welfare, Health, and Wellbeing
Brixton Movers recognises that protecting the health and wellbeing of our staff is essential. We aim to:
Encourage staff to raise any health concerns that may affect their ability to work safely.
Promote responsible workloads and rest periods to reduce fatigue and stress.
Discourage unsafe practices such as rushing, shortcuts, or working beyond safe limits.
Support staff in reporting any issues that could compromise safety at work.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance, and the nature of our operations. Brixton Movers is committed to improving our safety performance and expects all staff, contractors, and partners to support this commitment in their day-to-day work.