Health and Safety policy
Holland Park Movers Health and Safety Policy
Holland Park Movers is committed to maintaining the highest practical standards of health, safety, and welfare for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and related services. Our goal is to prevent injury, protect property, and promote a culture of safe working practices across all moving, packing, handling, and transport activities.
Policy Aims and Responsibilities
The management of Holland Park Movers accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance within the company. We will provide the resources, information, and supervision necessary to manage risks effectively throughout our removal operations, including residential moves, commercial relocations, storage handling, and specialist item transport.
Every employee is responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions at work. All staff must cooperate fully with company procedures, attend required training, and immediately report hazards, near misses, and accidents to their manager or supervisor.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out regular risk assessments covering our typical moving environments, including homes, offices, communal areas, stairways, loading bays, and roadside locations. These assessments identify significant hazards, such as heavy lifting, restricted access, trip risks, working near traffic, and the handling of delicate or bulky items.
Based on these assessments, we develop and implement safe systems of work, including clear instructions and method statements for tasks such as packing, loading, unloading, use of lifting equipment, and the securing of items in vehicles. Procedures are reviewed periodically and whenever new equipment, vehicles, or working methods are introduced.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of moving and relocation services. To minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injury, we train staff in correct lifting and carrying techniques and provide appropriate handling aids. These may include trolleys, sack barrows, dollies, moving straps, blankets, and protective covers.
Employees must assess each load before moving it, considering weight, shape, stability, and route. They are instructed to seek assistance or use mechanical aids where a lift cannot be carried out safely by one person. Unsafe lifting, rushing, or ignoring manual handling guidance is not permitted.
Only trained and authorised personnel may use any specialist handling equipment. All equipment is to be checked visually before use, used in accordance with manufacturer instructions, and taken out of service if damaged or defective.
Vehicle, Driving, and Roadside Safety
Our vehicles are maintained and inspected regularly to promote safe operation during removal and delivery work. Drivers must carry out basic pre-use checks, report any defects promptly, and not use vehicles judged to be unsafe.
All loads must be packed and secured so that they cannot move unexpectedly during transit. Heavy and bulky items are positioned and fastened to maintain vehicle stability, and care is taken to protect both the load and other road users.
Drivers must obey traffic laws, drive with consideration for road and weather conditions, and avoid distractions. When working roadside or near traffic, staff are expected to adopt safe parking practices, use hazard warnings where appropriate, and remain alert to moving vehicles and pedestrians.
Site Safety and Protection of Customers
When working in customer premises, our teams will adopt a respectful and safety-conscious approach. Wherever reasonably practicable, we will manage access routes, use floor protection where needed, and keep passageways clear of unnecessary obstructions.
We aim to minimise disturbance and keep noise, dust, and disruption to a practical minimum. Staff are instructed to be mindful of children, pets, and vulnerable persons on site and to ensure that tools, small items, and packaging materials are not left where they may cause harm or present a choking or trip hazard.
Customers and visitors are asked not to enter active loading areas or interfere with lifting operations or equipment. Our team members will provide clear instructions if temporary access restrictions are necessary to maintain safety.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Holland Park Movers provides information, instruction, and training appropriate to each role. This includes induction training for new starters, task-specific guidance for packers and porters, and additional responsibilities for supervisors and drivers. Topics include manual handling, use of equipment, housekeeping, incident reporting, and safe driving practices.
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that procedures are followed on site, that staff are competent for the tasks they undertake, and that any unsafe behaviours are corrected promptly. Additional training or coaching will be provided if new risks are identified or if working methods change.
Welfare, Wellbeing, and Fitness for Work
We recognise that health and safety also relates to general wellbeing. Employees must present fit for work and notify their manager of any condition, medication, or circumstance that might affect their ability to carry out moving tasks safely, particularly those involving heavy lifting, working at pace, or driving.
We do not tolerate working under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances. Prescribed medication that may impair concentration or coordination must be discussed with a manager before undertaking safety-critical activities.
Accident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. We maintain records of incidents, investigate their causes, and take appropriate corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Lessons learned from incidents, feedback from staff and customers, and changes in best practice are used to improve our policies and procedures over time. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns and suggest improvements without fear of criticism or unfair treatment.
Review of This Policy
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, and the nature of our moving and relocation activities. All employees are made aware of significant changes and are expected to understand how they apply to their daily work.
By working together to follow this policy and associated procedures, Holland Park Movers aims to provide a safe, reliable, and professional removals service for every customer and every member of our team.
