Health and Safety Policy for Tooting Removal Company

This Health and Safety policy sets out how our removal company operating in and around Tooting manages the safety and wellbeing of employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. Our goal is to prevent injury, protect property, and ensure all removal activities are carried out in a safe, responsible and compliant manner.

We recognise our legal and moral responsibilities under applicable health and safety law and are committed to maintaining high standards across every move, whether local household removals, office relocations or specialist transport.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our objectives are to:

Identify, assess and minimise health and safety risks associated with removals, packing, loading, transport and unloading.

Provide a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors and visitors.

Protect customers, neighbours and members of the public from risks arising from our activities in streets, residential areas and business premises.

Ensure all vehicles, equipment and tools used in our removal work are maintained in a safe condition.

Promote a positive safety culture where staff are encouraged to report hazards, near misses and incidents immediately.

Management Responsibilities

The management team has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources are provided to maintain safe working practices. Management will:

Regularly review this policy and all related procedures to ensure they remain effective and up to date.

Carry out and record risk assessments for typical removal operations, including manual handling, use of lifting equipment, working at height and vehicle movements.

Provide appropriate training, information and supervision for all staff so they can perform their duties safely and confidently.

Ensure all staff understand their responsibilities and are competent for the tasks they undertake.

Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Ensure that all vehicles and equipment are inspected and maintained in line with manufacturer guidance and relevant legislation.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee 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 are expected to:

Follow all safety procedures, training and instructions provided by the company.

Use equipment, tools, trolleys and lifting aids correctly and for their intended purpose only.

Wear any personal protective equipment provided, such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing, as required by the task and risk assessment.

Report any hazards, unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, accidents or near misses to management without delay.

Refrain from horseplay, unsafe behaviour or working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Cooperate fully with any investigation, training or safety initiative implemented by the company.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We undertake risk assessments for our core activities to identify hazards and implement control measures. These activities include:

Manual handling of furniture, boxes and heavy items.

Working in confined spaces such as narrow staircases and hallways.

Loading and unloading vehicles on residential streets and commercial premises.

Use of ramps, lifting straps, sack trucks and other handling equipment.

Protecting property, fixtures and fittings during moves.

From these assessments, we develop safe systems of work that specify how tasks must be carried out. Staff receive clear instructions on team lifting, safe stacking of goods in vehicles, securing loads for transport, and safe access and egress from properties in the local area we serve.

Manual Handling and Musculoskeletal Health

Manual handling is a key part of our work and presents a risk of injury if poorly managed. To reduce this risk we:

Provide manual handling training focusing on correct lifting techniques, team lifts and the use of handling aids.

Plan each move to reduce unnecessary carrying distances and awkward lifts.

Encourage the use of mechanical aids wherever practicable, such as trolleys, dollies and furniture sliders.

Assess heavier or awkward items before moving them and allocate sufficient staff or specialist equipment where needed.

Encourage staff to report early signs of strain or discomfort so adjustments can be made.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Safe operation of our removal vehicles is essential for the safety of staff and the public in Tooting and surrounding areas. We will:

Ensure drivers are appropriately licensed, trained and familiar with the vehicles they operate.

Carry out regular vehicle inspections and servicing to keep vehicles roadworthy and compliant.

Require drivers to obey speed limits, park safely and considerately, and use hazard warning lights where loading or unloading may affect other road users.

Ensure loads are evenly distributed and securely fastened before moving off.

Discourage the use of mobile phones while driving and promote safe journey planning.

Working at Customers Premises

When working at customers homes or business premises we will:

Conduct a visual assessment of access routes, stairways, lift availability and parking arrangements before starting work.

Take reasonable steps to prevent trips, slips and falls by managing trailing cables, packing materials and other obstacles.

Protect floors, doors and other surfaces with suitable coverings where necessary.

Coordinate with customers to maintain clear access and minimise disruption to neighbours or other building users.

Ensure that children, pets and members of the public are kept away from hazardous areas while work is in progress.

Training, Communication and Consultation

We are committed to providing ongoing training and information to all employees. This includes:

Induction training for new staff covering health and safety responsibilities and safe working practices.

Task-specific training for manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle checks and emergency procedures.

Periodic refresher training to reinforce good practice and update staff on any changes in procedure.

Open communication channels so staff can raise safety concerns, suggest improvements and receive feedback.

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

We maintain procedures to deal with emergencies such as accidents, fire, vehicle incidents or sudden illness. This includes:

Provision of suitable first aid supplies in vehicles and at our base.

Ensuring that sufficient staff are trained in basic first aid or know how to access emergency assistance.

Clear instructions for contacting emergency services and for reporting incidents to management.

Recording accidents and incidents and reviewing them to identify any lessons learned.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and following any significant change in our operations or relevant legislation. Updates will be communicated to all employees and implemented as part of our commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety standards for all removal work carried out in and around Tooting.