Health and Safety Policy for Removal Company Highbury

Removal Company Highbury is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, subcontractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to planning and delivering removal services in a way that minimises risk of injury, ill health, and damage to property.

We recognise our duties under applicable health and safety legislation and industry guidance governing transport, lifting and handling, and commercial operations. We aim not only to meet these obligations, but to continually improve our standards of safety and welfare across all removal activities.

Policy Objectives

Our health and safety objectives are to prevent accidents, work-related ill health and unsafe practices during domestic and commercial moves. We do this by identifying hazards, assessing and controlling risks, and promoting a positive safety culture throughout our organisation. We will provide information, training, supervision and appropriate equipment so that all work is carried out safely and efficiently.

The management team is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, maintained and reviewed regularly. Every employee and subcontractor is required to follow safe systems of work and to cooperate fully in achieving our health and safety goals.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Removal Company Highbury will take overall responsibility for health and safety performance and for ensuring adequate resources are provided. This includes the provision of suitable vehicles, lifting equipment, personal protective equipment, and training relevant to removal operations.

Managers and supervisors will ensure that risk assessments are carried out for tasks such as lifting and carrying, loading and unloading vehicles, working in confined or restricted spaces, and operating near traffic or on shared access routes. They will ensure that identified control measures are implemented and that staff understand and follow them.

Management will also investigate accidents, incidents and near misses in order to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and subcontractors engaged by Removal Company Highbury share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Staff must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for the safety of others who may be affected by their actions during removal work.

Employees are required to follow all safety instructions and training provided, use equipment properly, wear any personal protective equipment that has been issued, and report hazards, defects, accidents and near misses without delay. Unsafe practices, such as attempting to lift loads beyond individual capability or riding unsecured in vehicles, are strictly prohibited.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for typical removal activities, evaluating hazards related to manual handling, vehicle movements, working at height when accessing vehicles, and operating in residential streets, commercial premises and shared access locations.

From these assessments, we develop safe systems of work, including recommended lifting techniques, use of handling aids such as trolleys and straps, safe loading and securing of furniture and goods, and appropriate route planning for vehicle access where possible. These safe systems of work are communicated to all staff through training and supervision, and are reviewed whenever work methods or circumstances change.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a central part of removal work, and we recognise the potential for back injuries, strains and other musculoskeletal problems. Removal Company Highbury provides practical training in correct lifting, carrying and team handling techniques. Staff are instructed to assess the load, the route and their own capabilities before starting any lift.

Where practical, mechanical aids and handling equipment are used to reduce manual effort and risk. Only trained and authorised staff may use any specialised equipment provided. Any defects or concerns with equipment must be reported immediately and the equipment taken out of use if safety is compromised.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are maintained to a safe standard, with regular checks and servicing carried out in accordance with manufacturer and legal requirements. Drivers are required to carry out daily vehicle checks before use and to report any defects.

Drivers and crew members must follow road traffic laws and company procedures, including safe loading, securing of goods, and adherence to route plans where provided. We recognise the additional risks associated with operating in busy urban and residential areas and instruct our staff to take extra care when manoeuvring, reversing and operating near pedestrians and parked cars.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We take care to protect customers, neighbours and the wider public during removal operations. Walkways and access routes are kept as clear as reasonably possible, and when necessary we will use warning signs or agree temporary restrictions on access while heavy items are being moved.

Surfaces, stairways and entrances are checked for hazards such as loose coverings, poor lighting or obstacles. Any concerns identified at the start of a job are discussed with the customer and suitable control measures are agreed.

Training, Information and Supervision

Removal Company Highbury provides all employees with information and training relevant to their roles, including induction training for new staff and refresher training where needed. Topics include manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, hazard awareness, and emergency procedures.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring working practices, correcting unsafe behaviour and providing practical guidance on site. Where specialist tasks are required, we ensure that only competent and appropriately trained personnel carry them out.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and the importance of fitness and wellbeing. Employees are encouraged to report any health conditions that could affect their ability to carry out tasks safely. Staff must not work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that may impair judgement or performance.

Reasonable welfare provisions, including access to drinking water and rest breaks, are provided in line with the nature and duration of the job. We also promote open communication so that staff can raise concerns about workload, fatigue or any safety issues.

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

We maintain procedures for dealing with emergencies such as accidents, fires or road incidents. Staff are briefed on how to respond, how to summon assistance and how to safeguard others in the vicinity. Suitable first aid provisions are maintained and certain members of staff receive first aid training appropriate to the scale of our operations.

Monitoring, Reporting and Policy Review

We regularly monitor our health and safety performance through site checks, feedback from staff and customers, and review of incident reports. Lessons learned are used to improve our procedures, training and equipment.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legal requirements or industry best practice. The latest version is made available to employees and customers on request.

By following this policy, Removal Company Highbury aims to deliver safe, reliable and professional removal services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved.