Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Removal Company Shoreditch

This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitments and arrangements of Removal Company Shoreditch to protect the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. Our work involves home and office removals, packing, loading, transportation and unloading, and we recognise the specific health and safety risks that can arise from these activities.

Our aim is to conduct all removal and related services in a safe and responsible manner, preventing injury, ill health, damage to property and adverse impact on the environment. We comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and relevant industry guidance and work continually to improve our standards.

Health and Safety Objectives

We are committed to:

Preventing accidents, work-related injuries and ill health arising from our removal activities.

Identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing appropriate control measures.

Providing safe and well maintained vehicles, equipment and tools.

Delivering appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to all employees.

Consulting with staff on health and safety matters and encouraging a positive safety culture.

Monitoring and reviewing performance to drive continuous improvement.

Roles and Responsibilities

The management of Removal Company Shoreditch has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy is implemented, maintained and reviewed on a regular basis. Management will allocate sufficient resources and authority to meet our health and safety objectives.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for day to day implementation of safe working practices, including ensuring that risk assessments are completed, methods of work are followed, and that any defects or hazards are reported and dealt with promptly.

All employees, including drivers, porters, packers, office staff and contractors working on our behalf, must:

Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.

Follow training, safe systems of work, policies and instructions at all times.

Use vehicles, tools, lifting aids and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.

Report all incidents, near misses, injuries, unsafe conditions and concerns without delay.

Cooperate fully with health and safety arrangements, investigations and training.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our removal services, including domestic and commercial moves, packing, handling of large or fragile items, stair and corridor access, parking and loading, and transport on public roads.

From these assessments we develop safe systems of work, such as:

Planning routes and access to minimise manual handling hazards.

Using appropriate lifting techniques and team lifting for heavy or awkward items.

Prioritising use of trolleys, dollies, sack trucks and other mechanical aids where feasible.

Ensuring floors, ramps and pathways are kept clear, dry and well lit during moves.

Segregating work areas from customers and members of the public where possible.

These risk assessments and procedures are reviewed periodically, following any significant changes in working practices, and after any incident that indicates a need for improvement.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Manual handling is one of the primary risks in removal work. We take the following steps to reduce the likelihood of injury:

Providing comprehensive manual handling training, including correct lifting, carrying and setting down techniques.

Assessing loads before moving them, considering size, weight, shape and route.

Encouraging staff to ask for assistance or request equipment if an item is too heavy or awkward to move safely alone.

Planning work to avoid unnecessary carrying, twisting, overreaching or working on uneven or unstable surfaces.

Rotating tasks where practicable to reduce repetitive strain and fatigue.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are inspected, serviced and maintained in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Drivers must carry out daily walk around checks, reporting any defects or concerns immediately.

We promote safe driving standards, including compliance with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking restrictions, and adherence to working time and rest requirements. Loads are secured properly to prevent movement during transit and to protect both staff and other road users.

Drivers must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that could impair their ability to drive safely. The use of mobile phones while driving must comply with the law and company rules.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We provide and maintain appropriate equipment to support safe removals, which may include trolleys, straps, blankets, ramps and other handling aids. Equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if found to be defective or unsafe.

Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, we provide suitable personal protective equipment such as safety footwear, gloves and high visibility clothing. Employees must use this equipment as instructed and report any loss or damage.

Housekeeping and Site Safety

During removal work at customers premises, we maintain high housekeeping standards to prevent slips, trips and falls. This includes keeping walkways clear of packaging materials, tools and debris, managing trailing cables and protecting floors where appropriate.

We assess any specific hazards at the premises, such as narrow staircases, low ceilings, poor lighting, uneven floors or shared access areas, and adjust our method of work accordingly. Where required, we will temporarily restrict access to work areas to protect customers, visitors and the general public.

Training, Information and Supervision

All new employees receive an induction that includes health and safety responsibilities, emergency procedures, accident reporting and safe working arrangements. Role specific training is provided for drivers, porters and office staff as applicable.

We provide ongoing refresher training and updates where there are changes to legislation, equipment or working practices. Supervisors monitor work on site to ensure that safe systems are followed and intervene promptly where unsafe behaviour or conditions are observed.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible. We investigate incidents to determine root causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Employees are briefed on emergency arrangements, including first aid, fire safety and procedures to follow if an incident occurs on the road or at a customer location. First aid supplies are provided in vehicles and at our premises, and designated staff are trained in first aid to the appropriate level.

Consultation, Monitoring and Review

We encourage open communication about health and safety and invite employees to raise suggestions, concerns or ideas for improvement. Feedback is considered during reviews of risk assessments, procedures and training.

Health and safety performance is monitored through incident data, inspections and informal observations. This policy and the associated arrangements are reviewed at least annually, and sooner if required by changes in law, operations or after a significant incident.

By working together and following this Health and Safety policy, Removal Company Shoreditch aims to provide a safe, reliable and professional removal service for customers while protecting everyone involved in our operations.