Health and Safety Policy for Removals Kingston upon Thames

Removals Kingston upon Thames is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, clients, contractors, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and relocation activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all services, including domestic moves, office relocations, packing, loading, transport and storage operations.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We recognise our legal and moral responsibilities to manage health and safety risks arising from our work. Our objectives are to prevent injury, protect health, and continually improve our safety performance. To achieve this, we will assess risks, implement appropriate control measures, provide suitable information and training, and monitor our working practices.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management has overall responsibility for ensuring that effective health and safety arrangements are in place. Management will:

Develop, implement and maintain safe systems of work for all removal and associated activities.

Ensure that risk assessments are carried out for tasks such as lifting and carrying, use of removal vehicles, use of lifting equipment, and work in and around client premises.

Provide and maintain suitable vehicles, equipment and tools that are safe to use and regularly inspected.

Ensure that employees receive appropriate training, instruction and supervision to carry out their duties safely.

Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and take action to prevent recurrence.

Review this policy periodically and revise it as necessary in light of changes to legislation, guidance, operations or identified risks.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, whether permanent, temporary or agency, have 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 all safety instructions, procedures and training provided by the company.

Use vehicles, equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects or concerns immediately.

Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and any related safety arrangements.

Report accidents, injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions or practices as soon as possible.

Refrain from any acts or omissions that could put themselves or others at risk.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will identify hazards and assess risks associated with our removal operations, including loading and unloading, working in stairwells and confined spaces, handling bulky or heavy items, vehicle movements, and work at customer properties. Based on these assessments, we will introduce measures to control risks and promote safe working practices.

Typical risk control measures include:

Planning moves in advance, considering access routes, parking and loading arrangements.

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

Using trolleys, lifting straps and other handling aids where suitable.

Ensuring clear communication among team members during lifting, carrying and manoeuvring.

Maintaining good housekeeping at work areas, keeping routes clear of trip hazards such as packing materials and tools.

Managing traffic and vehicle movements carefully when loading and unloading on roads, driveways or shared areas.

Manual Handling and Musculoskeletal Health

Manual handling is a core part of our work, and we give particular attention to preventing strain and injury. We will:

Train staff in correct lifting and carrying techniques, including assessment of load weight, shape and stability.

Encourage the use of mechanical aids wherever practical.

Discourage lone lifting of heavy or large items and promote team lifting.

Monitor workloads and working patterns to reduce the risk of fatigue and repetitive strain.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

Our removal vehicles are essential to our service and will be operated with safety as a priority. We will:

Ensure that vehicles are regularly inspected, maintained and kept roadworthy.

Require drivers to hold the appropriate licences and to comply with traffic laws and company driving rules.

Provide guidance on safe loading and securing of goods to prevent movement during transit.

Discourage the use of mobile devices while driving and promote defensive driving practices.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

We will provide suitable tools, lifting equipment and personal protective equipment required for safe working during moves and related services. All items will be checked regularly, and any damaged or defective equipment will be withdrawn from use. Staff are required to use the equipment provided correctly and report any issues immediately.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams frequently work in and around homes, offices and shared public spaces. We will plan and carry out work in a way that minimises risk to customers, visitors and the general public by:

Maintaining clear access routes and exits where possible.

Using warning signs or verbal communication when moving large items through communal areas.

Controlling vehicle movements in busy areas and taking extra care near pedestrians.

Respecting client property and taking reasonable steps to prevent damage or hazards.

Training, Information and Supervision

We will provide appropriate induction and ongoing training to ensure that staff understand this policy and can apply safe working methods in their daily tasks. Training will cover topics such as manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, emergency procedures and hazard awareness. Supervisors will monitor working practices and provide guidance and feedback to support safe performance.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported in line with our internal reporting procedures. We will record and, where necessary, investigate these events to identify causes and implement preventative measures. Emergency procedures, including first aid and fire safety arrangements, will be in place and communicated to staff so that they know how to respond promptly and appropriately.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We are committed to continually improving our health and safety performance. This policy and related procedures will be monitored and reviewed periodically, taking into account feedback from staff and clients, changes in legislation or industry guidance, and lessons learned from incidents or audits. Any necessary updates will be implemented and communicated to all relevant parties.

This Health and Safety policy applies to all operations carried out by Removals Kingston upon Thames and forms an integral part of our overall commitment to professional, responsible and reliable removal services.