This Health and Safety Policy explains how our removal company manages health, safety and welfare for employees, contractors, clients and members of the public. Our services include household moves, office relocations, packing, loading, transportation and unloading of goods. We are committed to preventing injury, protecting property and maintaining safe working conditions in every move we undertake.
Management is responsible for providing a safe working environment, appropriate equipment and clear procedures. This includes identifying hazards, carrying out risk assessments, implementing control measures and reviewing performance on a regular basis. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for ensuring that staff follow safe systems of work on every job and that any unsafe practices are addressed immediately.
Employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly and report hazards, incidents and near misses without delay.
Before work begins, our teams carry out risk assessments that are appropriate to the type and location of the move. This may include assessing access routes, parking, stairs, lifts, external walkways, loading areas and any specific site hazards. The assessment is used to plan safe methods of work, staffing levels, equipment needs and any special handling requirements for large or fragile items.
Where conditions change on the day of the move, the team will review and update the risk assessment and adjust the work plan accordingly. Work will not proceed where risks cannot be controlled to an acceptable level.
Lifting and carrying are core parts of removal work, so manual handling safety is a priority. Staff receive training on correct lifting techniques, team lifts, the use of handling equipment and how to recognise when loads are too heavy or awkward to be moved safely.
Where possible we use trolleys, dollies, lifting straps and other aids to reduce strain. Large or heavy items are moved by sufficient numbers of trained staff. Routes are cleared of obstacles before moving starts and doors are secured open where this can be done safely. Staff must not take unnecessary risks, rush lifting operations or attempt to move loads beyond their capability.
All equipment and vehicles used for removal work must be suitable, well maintained and used only for their intended purpose. This includes vehicles, tail lifts, ramps, sack trucks, trolleys, straps, blankets, lifting devices and any powered equipment.
Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic vehicle checks before use and reporting defects. Loads must be distributed evenly, secured with appropriate restraints and kept within safe weight limits. Access steps, tail lifts and ramps must be used according to operating instructions and kept free from debris, ice and spillages.
Our teams work in private homes, business premises and shared spaces. We take care to minimise disruption and maintain safe conditions for everyone on site. This includes controlling access to loading areas, keeping walkways clear, managing trip hazards and using warning signs or cones where appropriate.
Special care is taken in shared entrances, corridors and car parks to protect the public. Staff must cooperate with any site-specific safety rules and instructions provided by building managers or site controllers. Work activities are planned to avoid unnecessary manual handling on stairs and to limit noise, dust and obstruction.
We handle a wide range of household and office contents, including furniture, electrical equipment, boxed goods and personal items. Items are packed, wrapped and stacked in a way that prevents movement and collapse. Fragile items are clearly identified and handled with extra care.
Where clients pack their own items, we may give guidance on safe packing, box weights and labelling. We reserve the right to refuse to move items that present an unacceptable risk, such as unsafe appliances, leaking containers or prohibited substances.
We do not knowingly transport items that are explosive, highly flammable, corrosive or otherwise hazardous unless specific arrangements and controls have been agreed in advance. Clients must inform us of any such items before work is scheduled so that risks can be properly assessed.
Where everyday substances such as paints, oils or cleaning products are to be moved, they must be sealed, clearly labelled and packed in suitable containers. If any leakage or spillage occurs, work in the area will stop until the hazard has been made safe.
All staff receive training relevant to their role, including induction training, manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety and emergency procedures. Additional training is provided where specialised tasks are involved, such as handling high-value items, heavy machinery or complex office equipment.
New staff and trainees work under supervision until they are assessed as competent to work independently. Refresher training is provided when needed and whenever procedures or equipment change.
Where risks cannot be fully controlled by other means, personal protective equipment may be required. This can include safety footwear, gloves, high-visibility clothing and other protective items depending on the task and environment.
Staff must use the protective equipment provided, keep it in good condition and report any damage or defects immediately so that it can be replaced.
All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported to a supervisor as soon as possible. Details are recorded and investigated so that underlying causes are identified and corrective actions implemented. We use this information to improve our procedures and prevent recurrence.
Where required, incidents will also be reported to relevant authorities. Medical attention will be sought promptly for anyone who is injured during our work.
We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety. This policy and the associated procedures are reviewed regularly and when there are changes in legislation, industry standards, work activities or incident findings.
Suggestions from staff and clients about improving safety are welcomed and considered as part of our review process. By working together, we aim to provide removal services that are not only efficient and professional but also safe for everyone involved.
