Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for St John’s Wood Movers
St John’s Wood Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our moving and removal activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across our operations, including domestic moves, office relocations, packing, loading, transport and storage-related handling.
Our aim is to prevent injury, occupational ill health and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective controls in all areas of our work. Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver removal services, and it is a shared responsibility between management, supervisors and every member of staff.
Management Commitment
Senior management at St John’s Wood Movers accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance. We will provide appropriate resources, equipment, training and supervision to enable safe working practices. Health and safety considerations will always be taken into account when making decisions about equipment, vehicles, job planning and work allocation.
Management will review this policy regularly, monitor its effectiveness and update procedures when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice or the nature of our services. We are committed to continual improvement in health and safety standards and to fostering a positive health and safety culture throughout the company.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including permanent staff, temporary workers and contractors, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Every worker is expected to cooperate fully with this policy and with any health and safety procedures introduced to support it.
Employees must use vehicles, lifting equipment, packing tools and personal protective equipment correctly and in accordance with training and instructions. They must report any accidents, incidents, near misses, unsafe conditions or health concerns to their supervisor as soon as practicable so that appropriate action can be taken.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before undertaking removal work, supervisors will assess the risks associated with the task and location. This may include assessing access routes, stairs, lifts, parking, manual handling demands, traffic conditions and any particular customer requirements. Identified risks will be controlled through safe systems of work, such as use of handling equipment, appropriate staffing levels and effective communication.
Written procedures will be maintained for common removal activities including lifting and carrying, loading and unloading vehicles, use of ramps and trolleys, working inside customer premises and operating in busy streets or shared access areas. Staff will be briefed on any specific hazards relevant to a particular job.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a central part of moving and removal services. St John’s Wood Movers is committed to minimising the risk of musculoskeletal injuries by planning loads carefully, using mechanical aids wherever reasonably practicable and ensuring tasks are shared between team members to avoid overexertion.
All staff involved in lifting, carrying and positioning furniture, appliances and boxes will receive training in safe manual handling techniques. Handling equipment such as trolleys, dollies, lifting straps, ramps and protective covers will be maintained in good condition and used appropriately to protect both workers and customer property.
Vehicles and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are essential to our service and will be maintained to a high standard, with regular inspections and servicing to ensure roadworthiness. Drivers are responsible for completing pre-use checks and reporting any defects or concerns promptly.
Loads will be planned and secured to prevent shifting during transit, taking into account the weight and balance of items. Drivers must follow all road traffic requirements, drive defensively and adapt to weather, congestion and local access restrictions. Fatigue management is important, and journeys will be organised to allow adequate breaks and realistic schedules.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our teams work in and around homes, offices and shared spaces. We will take all reasonable steps to protect customers, visitors and the public from risks arising from our activities. This includes maintaining clear walkways, using warning signs where necessary, controlling vehicle movements and ensuring items are stacked and stored safely during the move.
Care will be taken to prevent damage to property, fixtures and fittings by using appropriate protective materials and techniques. Any hazards identified at customer premises, such as restricted access or fragile structures, will be considered during planning so that risks can be reduced.
Training, Information and Supervision
St John’s Wood Movers will provide employees with the information, instruction and training they need to work safely. This includes induction training, task-specific training on manual handling, vehicle safety, packing methods and the use of lifting and protective equipment. Refresher training will be provided where necessary.
Supervisors will monitor working practices on site to ensure adherence to procedures and to provide guidance and support. Health and safety expectations will be communicated clearly and consistently, and staff are encouraged to raise suggestions for improving safety in our removal operations.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported as soon as possible to management. Records will be kept and reviewed to identify trends and to inform improvements in our systems of work.
Emergency procedures will be in place for incidents such as fire, vehicle breakdowns, injuries or property damage during moves. Staff will be briefed on what to do in an emergency, including how to secure the area, protect people from further harm and escalate the situation to management and relevant services where required.
Monitoring and Review
St John’s Wood Movers will monitor compliance with this Health and Safety Policy through regular inspections, feedback from employees and customers, and review of accident and incident data. Where improvements are identified, we will update our procedures and communicate changes to all relevant staff.
This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains relevant to the scale and nature of our moving and removal activities and continues to support our commitment to providing a safe, reliable and professional service.
