Health and Safety policy

Soho Removals Health and Safety Policy

Soho Removals is fully 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 activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all domestic and commercial removals, packing, loading, unloading, storage handling, and associated services.

We recognise that the nature of the removals industry presents specific risks, including manual handling, vehicle movements, working in and around customer premises, and the handling of heavy or fragile items. Our goal is to prevent accidents, injuries, and ill health by applying sensible, proportionate, and consistently high standards of safety management.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The main aims of this Health and Safety Policy are to:

Promote a positive health and safety culture throughout Soho Removals. Prevent work-related injuries, incidents, and ill health as far as reasonably practicable. Identify hazards and assess risks associated with our operations. Implement suitable controls to manage and reduce risks. Provide adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision. Ensure that vehicles, equipment, and work practices remain safe and fit for purpose. Review performance and continuously improve our safety standards.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Soho Removals has overall responsibility for the implementation of this policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are made available to maintain high standards of health and safety. Management will:

Lead by example and promote safe working practices in all aspects of the removal service. Ensure that risk assessments are completed, recorded, and regularly reviewed. Provide and maintain safe vehicles, tools, and equipment. Ensure that staff receive appropriate training for their roles and for the tasks they undertake. Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses, and implement corrective actions. Monitor compliance with legal requirements and recognised industry standards.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee of Soho 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. Employees must:

Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided. Use vehicles, tools, and equipment only as trained and intended. Report hazards, defects, accidents, incidents, and near misses promptly to management. Wear any personal protective equipment provided where required. Co operate with management in the implementation of this policy and associated procedures. Refrain from any reckless or unsafe behaviour that could endanger themselves or others.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Soho Removals conducts risk assessments for key activities including manual handling, loading and unloading vehicles, operating lifting equipment where used, driving and parking near customer premises, working in confined spaces or restricted access properties, and handling fragile, bulky, or high value items. These assessments are used to develop safe systems of work and method statements appropriate to removal operations.

Before each removal job, staff are encouraged to carry out dynamic on site assessments to identify any new or unexpected hazards, such as restricted access, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, or unsafe customer environments. Work should only proceed when it can be completed safely using appropriate equipment and methods.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant aspect of removal work. Soho Removals aims to reduce the risk of injury by:

Training staff in correct lifting and carrying techniques. Using handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, and straps where appropriate. Planning lifts to avoid unnecessary carrying distances or awkward routes. Encouraging team lifts for heavy or awkward items. Assessing loads for stability, weight, and handling risk before moving.

All equipment used in our removal services, including any lifting aids, must be checked regularly and maintained in safe working condition. Defective equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of service until repaired or replaced.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our service and must be operated safely at all times. Soho Removals ensures that:

Vehicles are regularly inspected, maintained, and kept roadworthy. Loads are secured appropriately to prevent movement during transit. Drivers hold the correct licences and are competent to operate the vehicles assigned to them. Drivers follow road traffic laws and safe driving practices, including appropriate speed, parking, and manoeuvring in residential and commercial areas. Fatigue, impairment, or the use of alcohol or drugs while driving is strictly prohibited.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams often work inside private homes, offices, and shared access buildings, as well as on public roads and pavements. To protect customers and the public, Soho Removals will:

Plan access routes that minimise risk to others. Use warning signs or verbal communication where there is risk from moving items or vehicles. Keep walkways and exits as clear as reasonably practicable. Handle customers property with care to avoid damage and unnecessary disruption. Respect any site specific rules or instructions that enhance safety.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Soho Removals provides appropriate induction and ongoing training to ensure staff are competent to carry out their roles safely. This includes training in manual handling, vehicle and equipment use, hazard awareness, emergency procedures, and customer care and conduct on site.

Supervision is provided to ensure that procedures are followed and that new or less experienced staff receive guidance and support. Safety information and instructions are communicated clearly, and updates are provided whenever work practices or regulations change.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible. Soho Removals will investigate such events to determine root causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Clear emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as vehicle collisions, serious injuries, fire, or hazardous conditions at customer premises. Staff are briefed on how to respond, when to stop work, and how to seek assistance if needed.

Health, Welfare, and Wellbeing

Soho Removals recognises the importance of overall wellbeing in maintaining safe work. We encourage staff to report any health issues that may affect their ability to work safely, particularly when driving or undertaking physically demanding tasks. Reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate.

We promote sensible working hours and breaks, especially for driving duties and physically intensive removal work, to reduce fatigue and associated risks.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be monitored for effectiveness and reviewed regularly, and additionally whenever there are significant changes to our operations, work methods, or relevant regulations. Feedback from employees, customers, and other stakeholders is welcomed and used to improve our approach.

By implementing this policy and working together, Soho Removals aims to deliver professional, efficient, and reliable removal services while maintaining the highest practical standards of health and safety for everyone involved.