Health and Safety policy
Brent Movers Health and Safety Policy
Brent Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, visitors, and customers. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removal and relocation services, including lifting, carrying, packing, loading, transport, and unloading of items at homes, offices, and commercial premises.
Policy Statement and Objectives
The objective of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property during all moving and storage activities. Brent Movers will identify and control health and safety risks, consult with staff, provide appropriate information and training, and continually improve our practices in line with industry standards and applicable health and safety legislation.
Health and safety is a core business priority and an integral part of planning every move. All work must be carried out in a way that protects people, property, and the environment.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Brent Movers is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources are made available. This includes providing safe equipment and vehicles, arranging training, carrying out risk assessments, and monitoring performance.
Managers and supervisors will:
Assess risks for typical removal tasks, including manual handling, driving, working at height when using ramps or steps, and working in and around customers premises. Put in place appropriate control measures such as team lifting, use of trolleys, dollies, and lifting straps, and clear access routes. Ensure vehicles are maintained, loaded safely, and used within their design limits. Investigate incidents, near misses, and hazards, and take corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Lead by example by following safe working procedures and promoting a positive safety culture.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share responsibility for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Every member of staff must:
Take reasonable care of their own safety and the safety of colleagues, customers, and the public. Follow all safety instructions, training, and safe systems of work for lifting, loading, and transport. Use equipment, vehicles, and personal protective equipment supplied by the company correctly and for its intended purpose. Report hazards, defects, and near misses promptly to a supervisor so they can be addressed. Never work under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that may impair judgement or performance.
Risk Assessment and Planning
Brent Movers will carry out risk assessments for its removal activities and will review them regularly or following any significant change to work practices. Typical areas considered include access constraints, staircases, external steps, parking, traffic, and loading areas, as well as the weight, size, and fragility of items to be moved.
For each job, teams will plan safe methods of lifting and carrying, determine whether additional staff or equipment is needed, and assess environmental factors such as weather, lighting, and floor conditions. Where risks cannot be eliminated, they will be reduced as far as reasonably practicable.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a central element of removal work. Brent Movers recognises the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and will:
Provide manual handling training, including safe lifting techniques, team handling, and use of handling aids. Avoid single-person lifts of heavy or awkward items where team lifting or mechanical assistance is more appropriate. Use suitable equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, furniture sliders, straps, ramps, and protective materials to reduce strain and prevent damage. Ensure that staff understand their limits and are encouraged to request assistance whenever needed.
Vehicle, Driving, and Road Safety
Brent Movers will maintain all vehicles used for removal services in a roadworthy and safe condition. Drivers must be competent, appropriately licensed, and trained in safe loading, securing of loads, and safe driving techniques.
Loads must be evenly distributed and adequately secured to prevent movement during transit. Overloading is strictly prohibited. Drivers and crew members must comply with road traffic laws, rest requirements, and company procedures for accident reporting and vehicle inspections.
Safety at Customer Premises
Brent Movers is committed to protecting customers, their property, and members of the public. On arrival at each site, the team will assess access routes, identify hazards such as uneven surfaces, low ceilings, or obstructions, and put in place controls such as clear walkways, use of protective coverings, and safe stacking of items.
Where work is carried out in shared areas such as corridors, pavements, or communal entrances, the team will take measures to minimise obstruction and will exercise extra caution when moving large or heavy items in public spaces.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All employees will receive induction training covering health and safety responsibilities, safe working practices for removal work, emergency arrangements, and use of equipment. Further job-specific training will be provided as needed, including refreshers.
Supervisors will monitor working practices on site and correct unsafe behaviour. Health and safety information and updates will be communicated through briefings and toolbox talks so that staff remain aware of any changes in procedures.
Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and hazardous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible. Brent Movers will record and investigate these events to identify root causes and introduce improvements.
Staff will be briefed on emergency arrangements, including fire safety, first aid, and emergency contact procedures at both company premises and customer sites. Vehicles will carry basic safety equipment appropriate to their use.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy will be monitored through regular inspections, review of incident reports, staff feedback, and management review. Brent Movers is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and will update this policy and associated procedures to reflect best practice, relevant guidance, and any changes in operations.
By working together and following this policy, Brent Movers aims to ensure that every move is carried out safely, efficiently, and with care for everyone involved.
