Health and Safety Policy for Removal Company Hackney

This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Removal Company Hackney manages health, safety and welfare for employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. Our work involves lifting, loading, transport and access to residential and commercial premises, and we recognise our duty to control the associated risks.

We are committed to complying with all relevant health and safety legislation and accepted industry best practice. Management will provide the leadership, resources and systems needed to maintain safe working conditions, and all employees are expected to co-operate in implementing this policy.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The main aims of this policy are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and maintain a safe and reliable removal service. To achieve this we will identify hazards, assess risks and take reasonable and practicable steps to remove or reduce those risks.

Our objectives include providing suitable equipment for handling and transport, delivering regular training, maintaining safe vehicles, and ensuring that every move, whether local or longer distance, is planned with safety as a priority.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and reviewing its effectiveness. Management will allocate responsibilities, set safety standards and monitor performance across our operations.

Managers and supervisors must ensure that risk assessments are carried out for removal activities, that safe working procedures are followed, and that staff receive appropriate information, instruction and supervision. They must also make sure that lifting aids and vehicles are maintained and inspected at appropriate intervals.

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 must follow safety instructions, use equipment correctly and report any hazards, accidents, near misses or unsafe conditions without delay.

Staff must not misuse or interfere with anything provided for health and safety purposes, including personal protective equipment, handling aids and vehicle safety systems. All employees must attend relevant training and refresh their knowledge as procedures or equipment change.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We undertake risk assessments for our key activities, including packing, loading, unloading, carrying items through properties, driving and working in confined or shared spaces such as stairwells, corridors and shared access routes.

Controls may include route planning, use of trolleys, team lifts, floor and wall protection, segregation of work areas, and clear communication with customers about access arrangements. Our crews will not undertake work that they believe to be unsafe, such as carrying items beyond safe weight limits or using unsuitable access routes.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a central part of removal work and is a key focus of our safety measures. We aim to minimise manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable by using suitable equipment such as sack barrows, dollies, lifting straps and ramps.

All staff receive training in safe lifting techniques, correct posture, team lifting and recognition of loads that are too heavy or awkward to handle safely. We plan the number of crew members for each job to match the size and nature of the items being moved.

Equipment must be checked before use and taken out of service if it is defective. Only trained and authorised employees may use specialist lifting equipment or vehicle-mounted equipment.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our removal vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Regular inspections and servicing are carried out according to manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Any defects must be reported immediately and the vehicle removed from service where safety could be compromised.

Drivers must hold the appropriate licence and follow all road safety rules. They are responsible for loading vehicles safely, ensuring loads are secured to prevent movement, and adjusting driving to suit traffic, weather and road conditions. Journey planning aims to allow adequate time, reduce fatigue and avoid unnecessary risk.

Protection of Customers and the Public

We take care to protect customers, visitors, neighbours and members of the public during removal work. This includes maintaining clear access routes, using warning signs or verbal warnings where appropriate, and keeping doors, gates and pathways as clear as reasonably possible.

Where work takes place in shared buildings or busy streets, we will take additional precautions such as using spotters, controlling the movement of large items and avoiding unsafe blocking of entrances, exits or emergency routes.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported to management as soon as possible. We keep records of incidents to help identify trends and areas for improvement.

First aid arrangements are in place, and staff are informed of the procedures to follow in the event of injury, fire, road traffic incidents or other emergencies. In any emergency situation, the safety of people takes precedence over the protection of property or completion of work.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide induction and ongoing training covering manual handling, safe loading and unloading, use of equipment, vehicle safety, working at different types of premises and dealing with unexpected hazards. Where necessary, refresher training will be given and additional coaching provided following any incident or change in procedure.

New or inexperienced staff will be supervised closely until they are competent to work more independently. Written procedures and guidance are provided in plain language so that all employees understand what is expected of them.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage suggestions from employees on how to improve health and safety performance. Staff are consulted about changes to equipment, vehicles, working methods and risk controls that affect their work.

This policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, relevant legislation or industry guidance. Any updates will be communicated to all employees and, where relevant, to contractors and partners.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Removal Company Hackney aims to provide a safe, healthy and reliable removal service for everyone involved.