Health and Safety policy
Bayswater Movers Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Bayswater Movers manages the safety and wellbeing of employees, customers, contractors, visitors and members of the public during all moving and removals activities. Our aim is to deliver professional removal services while minimising risks associated with lifting, transportation, access, traffic movement and work environments.
Policy Statement
Bayswater Movers is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment. We work to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm in connection with our removals, packing, loading, unloading and storage services. Health and safety considerations are integrated into planning, supervision and delivery of all jobs.
Senior management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and provides the resources, training and information necessary to meet this commitment. All employees and contractors are expected to follow this policy and take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others.
Legal Compliance and Continuous Improvement
Bayswater Movers complies with relevant health and safety legislation, regulations and approved guidance applicable to the removals and transport sector. We monitor changes in legal requirements and industry best practice and review our procedures accordingly.
We are committed to continual improvement of our health and safety management system through regular reviews, audits, incident analysis and feedback from staff and clients. Measurable objectives are set where appropriate to reduce risk and improve performance.
Roles and Responsibilities
Management is responsible for establishing safe systems of work, providing suitable equipment, arranging training and supervision, and ensuring this policy is communicated and implemented. Managers and team leaders must plan each removal job with safety in mind, allocate competent staff and check that control measures are followed on site.
Employees and contractors must cooperate with health and safety arrangements, use equipment correctly, follow instructions and report hazards, incidents, near misses or defects immediately. Every individual working for Bayswater Movers has a duty to protect their own health and safety and that of colleagues, customers and the public.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before starting any removal operation, appropriate risk assessments are carried out to identify hazards associated with the property, access routes, items to be moved and any specific customer requirements. These assessments are used to develop safe methods of work for packing, lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, driving and route planning.
Where risks cannot be eliminated, they are controlled through practical measures such as using mechanical aids, team lifting, route marking, traffic segregation, use of protective equipment and clear communication. Our crews are briefed on job specific risks prior to commencing work.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core element of removal work. Bayswater Movers provides regular training in safe lifting and carrying techniques, load assessment and use of appropriate handling aids. Staff are instructed to avoid unsafe lifting practices, including twisting while carrying loads, overreaching and lifting excessive weights without assistance.
We supply suitable equipment such as trolleys, skates, ramps, straps, blankets and lifting devices. All tools and equipment are maintained in good working order and are inspected regularly. Defective or unsafe equipment must be removed from use and reported immediately.
Vehicle and Road Safety
Our vehicles are operated and maintained to high safety standards. Drivers must hold appropriate licences, follow road traffic laws and adhere to company driving rules. Daily vehicle checks are carried out, and defects are reported and rectified promptly.
Loads are planned and secured to prevent movement during transit, taking into account weight distribution, stacking methods and the nature of the goods being moved. Drivers receive guidance on journey planning, parking, reversing and working safely near traffic and pedestrians at collection and delivery sites.
Safe Access, Customer Premises and Public Protection
When working at customer premises, Bayswater Movers takes steps to protect occupants, visitors and the public. This includes maintaining clear access routes, managing trip hazards, using warning signs where appropriate and controlling movement of vehicles and equipment in shared spaces.
Our teams assess stairs, lifts, doorways, surfaces and outdoor areas for hazards such as uneven ground, poor lighting, obstructions or adverse weather. Work is planned to minimise disruption and ensure that heavy or awkward items are moved safely without damage to property or injury to persons.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive health and safety induction training covering company rules, emergency procedures, incident reporting and safe working practices for removal operations. Ongoing training is provided in areas such as manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment and hazard recognition.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring work on site, providing guidance, correcting unsafe behaviour and ensuring that less experienced staff are supported. Safety information and instructions are communicated clearly and updated when procedures or risks change.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, Bayswater Movers provides suitable personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear, gloves, high visibility clothing and protective garments for specific tasks. Employees must use this equipment as instructed, keep it in good condition and report any loss or damage.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents and near misses, however minor, must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. Bayswater Movers records and investigates these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
We encourage open reporting without blame so that lessons can be learned and improvements made to our methods, equipment, training and risk assessments.
Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work
Bayswater Movers recognises that the physical nature of removal work can be demanding. We seek to ensure that employees are medically fit for their roles and encourage staff to report any health issues that may affect their ability to work safely, including fatigue, injury or illness.
Suitable welfare arrangements such as rest breaks, access to drinking water and hygienic facilities are considered in the planning of jobs, especially on longer tasks or where extended travel is required.
Emergency Preparedness
Procedures are in place for responding to emergencies, including accidents, fire, property damage and vehicle incidents. Staff are briefed on how to raise the alarm, evacuate safely where required and contact emergency services.
Where site specific emergency arrangements exist, our teams will follow customer instructions alongside our own procedures to ensure a coordinated response.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legislation or identified risks. Updated versions are communicated to all staff and made available to customers on request.
By following this policy and working together, Bayswater Movers aims to provide a safe, professional and reliable moving service for every customer.
