Health and Safety policy
Removals Haringey Health and Safety Policy
Removals Haringey is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and moving services. We recognise that effective health and safety management is essential to the success and sustainability of our operations.
This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, packing, loading, transport and delivery of goods. The policy applies to all staff, vehicles, equipment, workplaces and job locations where we operate.
Policy Aims
The aims of this policy are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and promote a culture of safety throughout our moving and removal activities. We work to:
Identify, assess and control hazards arising from removal work, transport and handling of goods.
Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation, industry guidance and best practice relevant to the removals sector.
Provide safe systems of work for lifting, carrying, loading, unloading and driving.
Ensure that employees are properly trained, competent and supervised.
Maintain vehicles, tools and equipment in safe working order.
Consult with staff on health and safety matters and encourage active participation.
Continuously review and improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Removals Haringey holds overall responsibility for implementing this policy and integrating health and safety into everyday decision making. Management will:
Provide appropriate resources to manage health and safety effectively.
Appoint competent persons to advise on and coordinate health and safety arrangements.
Ensure that risk assessments are carried out, recorded and reviewed regularly.
Set clear health and safety objectives and monitor performance against them.
Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and implement corrective actions.
Lead by example, demonstrating visible commitment to safe working practices.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, whether permanent, temporary or agency staff, share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided by the company.
Use equipment, tools and vehicles only as trained and in accordance with instructions.
Wear any personal protective equipment provided, such as safety footwear or gloves, where required.
Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions or equipment defects to their supervisor without delay.
Cooperate with management and colleagues to ensure safe and efficient removal operations.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We undertake risk assessments for our key activities, including packing, lifting and carrying, use of handling equipment, working in customers premises, operating in stairwells and confined spaces, and driving and parking vehicles. Assessments are used to develop method statements and safe systems of work for typical moving tasks.
Before starting a removal job, the team leader will consider on-site conditions, including access routes, parking arrangements, obstructions, floor surfaces and weather conditions. Where additional hazards are identified, the work method may be adjusted to ensure safety, which may include using extra staff, equipment or time for the task.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. We provide training on correct lifting techniques, team lifting, the use of trolleys and other handling aids, and the importance of planning the route before moving items.
Staff are instructed to avoid lifting loads that are too heavy or awkward for them to handle safely and to ask for assistance or use appropriate equipment instead. Equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, ramps and lifting straps must be checked visually before use and removed from service if damaged or defective.
Vehicle and Driver Safety
Our vehicles are maintained and inspected on a regular schedule to ensure they are safe, roadworthy and suitable for the loads they carry. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic daily checks, reporting faults and ensuring that loads are properly secured before moving off.
All driving must comply with road traffic laws and company procedures. Drivers are expected to plan routes safely, allow sufficient time for journeys, and avoid distractions while driving. Parking and unloading arrangements should be selected to minimise risk to pedestrians, other road users and property.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
When working at customer premises, our teams will take care to protect the property and ensure the safety of occupants and visitors. This includes using floor protection where necessary, keeping walkways clear, and avoiding blocking fire exits or access routes.
Where work takes place on or near public footpaths or shared areas, we will take reasonable steps to warn others of our activities and maintain clear, safe passage. Items and equipment should not be left unattended in a way that could cause tripping or other hazards.
Training, Information and Supervision
Removals Haringey provides induction and job-specific training to all employees, covering health and safety responsibilities, safe lifting and handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety and emergency procedures. Refresher training is provided as needed, particularly when new equipment, processes or significant risks are introduced.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for overseeing work on site, ensuring that staff follow safe methods and intervening if unsafe practices are observed. Employees are encouraged to raise questions or concerns about health and safety at any time.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported as soon as possible. Records are used to identify patterns, underlying causes and opportunities for improvement.
Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as fire, serious injury, vehicle collisions and spillage of hazardous substances. Staff receive guidance on how to respond, including contacting emergency services when required, securing the area and notifying management.
Monitoring, Review and Policy Availability
We monitor our health and safety performance through incident data, inspections, staff feedback and management review. This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes in legislation, operations or identified risks, to ensure it remains effective and up to date.
This policy is available to all employees and is provided to customers and other interested parties on request. By working together and maintaining a strong safety culture, Removals Haringey aims to ensure that every move is carried out as safely and responsibly as possible.
