Shepherds Bush Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and storage activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our aims, responsibilities, and the systems we use to manage risks associated with our services, including packing, lifting, loading, transport, unloading, and storage of household and commercial goods.
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property through effective planning, supervision, and control of all work undertaken by Shepherds Bush Removals. We will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice, and we will continuously seek to improve our performance.
To achieve this, we will identify hazards, assess risks, implement appropriate control measures, and provide the training, information, and equipment our teams need to work safely at all times, whether operating in homes, offices, storage locations, or on the road.
Senior management at Shepherds Bush Removals has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this policy. Management will:
Ensure suitable resources are allocated for health and safety, including vehicles, equipment, and protective gear that are fit for purpose and properly maintained.
Set clear safety standards and objectives relevant to removal operations, manual handling, driving, and site work.
Conduct and review risk assessments for typical and non-standard moves, including complex access, high-rise properties, and long-distance transport.
Monitor health and safety performance, investigate accidents and near-misses, and act promptly on findings.
Consult with employees and, where appropriate, clients on health and safety matters to encourage open communication and improvement.
Every employee of Shepherds Bush Removals 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. Employees must:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided by the company.
Use equipment, vehicles, and protective clothing properly and report any defects immediately.
Work in a way that minimises risk when lifting, carrying, loading, and securing goods.
Report hazards, unsafe conditions, incidents, and near-misses to a supervisor as soon as possible.
Cooperate fully with any accident investigations, audits, and health and safety initiatives.
We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including surveys at collection and delivery addresses where required. These assessments consider factors such as access routes, stairways, parking, traffic management, weather conditions, and any special handling requirements for items being moved.
From these assessments, we develop safe working procedures that may include:
Using appropriate lifting techniques, team lifting, and mechanical aids where suitable.
Planning vehicle positioning, loading patterns, and securing methods to minimise manual handling and prevent movement of loads during transport.
Managing public safety around vehicles and work areas, including the use of cones, barriers, and clear communication with customers.
Adapting working methods in adverse weather or where access is limited or restricted.
Manual handling is a central part of removal work and presents a significant risk of injury if not managed correctly. Shepherds Bush Removals will:
Provide manual handling training tailored to the challenges of moving furniture, appliances, and delicate items in varied property types.
Encourage staff to avoid unnecessary lifting and to make use of equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, and ramps.
Ensure vehicles and equipment are regularly inspected, maintained, and replaced when necessary.
Require employees to report any difficulty or concern related to manual handling tasks so that methods can be reviewed.
Our drivers and crew regularly operate vehicles in busy and sometimes restricted urban streets, as well as on longer routes. To manage road risk, Shepherds Bush Removals will:
Ensure drivers are competent, appropriately licensed, and familiar with the vehicles they operate.
Carry out regular safety checks and maintenance of all vehicles, including tyres, brakes, lights, and load securing systems.
Plan routes and schedules to reduce time pressure and encourage safe driving behaviour.
Require the securing of all loads to prevent movement that could endanger staff, other road users, or property.
We recognise that effective training and supervision are vital for safe removal operations. Shepherds Bush Removals will:
Provide induction training for new staff covering company safety rules, emergency procedures, and specific risks associated with removals.
Deliver ongoing training in manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, and site-specific risks.
Ensure that less experienced staff work under appropriate supervision until they are assessed as competent.
Give clear job instructions before each move so that all team members understand their roles, hazards, and control measures.
We are committed to supporting the wider health and wellbeing of our staff. This includes:
Providing access to basic welfare facilities during work, such as rest breaks, drinking water, and sanitary amenities.
Managing working hours to help prevent fatigue, particularly on longer-distance moves or consecutive booking days.
Encouraging staff to report health concerns that might affect their ability to work safely.
All accidents, injuries, and near-miss incidents that occur during removal activities must be reported to management without delay. Shepherds Bush Removals will:
Record and investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
Maintain procedures for dealing with emergencies, including fire, injury, vehicle accidents, and damage to property.
Ensure employees know how to access first aid supplies and how to contact emergency services when required.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in legislation, our operations, or the nature of the risks we manage. Updated versions will be communicated to all staff, and training will be provided where necessary to reflect any changes.
By working together and following this policy, Shepherds Bush Removals aims to deliver professional removal services while protecting the health, safety, and welfare of everyone involved.
