Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Removals Ilford
Removals Ilford is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, visitors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, packing, loading, transport and storage services within our operating area.
We recognise our responsibilities under applicable health and safety legislation and are dedicated to continual improvement in our safety performance. Safe working practices are central to the way we plan and deliver every move.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The main aims of this Health and Safety Policy are to:
Protect the health, safety and welfare of all employees, contractors, customers and other persons who may be affected by our activities.
Identify, assess and control risks arising from removal, packing, lifting, loading, transport and unloading operations.
Provide safe equipment, vehicles, systems of work and working environments.
Deliver information, instruction, supervision and training to enable employees to work safely and competently.
Encourage a positive safety culture where everyone takes responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.
Comply with all relevant health, safety and welfare legislation and recognised industry guidance.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Removals Ilford has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are provided for health and safety. Management will:
Set clear health and safety standards, objectives and performance targets.
Ensure that risk assessments for removal operations, driving activities and premises are carried out, regularly reviewed and communicated.
Provide suitable equipment, vehicles and safety aids that are properly maintained, inspected and fit for purpose.
Ensure that supervisors and team leaders are competent, fully briefed on safety procedures and able to support staff in following safe systems of work.
Monitor health and safety performance, investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including temporary and agency workers, share a duty of care for health and safety. Employees must:
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided by Removals Ilford.
Use vehicles, equipment, tools, lifting aids and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Cooperate with management in the implementation of this policy, including participation in training and safety briefings.
Report accidents, incidents, hazards and near misses promptly to enable remedial action to be taken.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Removals Ilford will identify and control risks associated with removal activities through systematic risk assessments. These assessments cover tasks such as manual handling, packing, furniture disassembly, lifting and carrying, loading and unloading vehicles, navigating stairways and tight access routes, as well as risks from traffic and public interaction in the areas where we operate.
Safe systems of work will be developed for routine tasks and communicated to staff through training, written procedures and on-site briefings. Where necessary, site-specific assessments will be carried out for larger or more complex moves, including commercial clearances or moves involving unusual, heavy or fragile items.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core element of our services. To minimise the risk of injury, Removals Ilford will:
Provide manual handling training covering safe lifting techniques, team lifts, use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling aids.
Ensure that items are assessed for weight, size and stability before they are lifted or moved.
Encourage staff to ask for assistance with heavy or awkward items rather than attempting to move them alone.
Use appropriate mechanical aids, where reasonably practicable, for large or heavy objects.
Ensure floors, ramps, stairs and access ways are clear, well lit and as safe as reasonably possible before moving items.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our removal operations rely on the safe use of vehicles across our service area. Removals Ilford will:
Ensure that all drivers hold the correct licence, are competent and receive appropriate training and guidance.
Maintain vehicles in a roadworthy condition through regular servicing, inspections and defect reporting procedures.
Plan routes to minimise risks where possible, taking account of local traffic conditions and access restrictions.
Require drivers to follow all road traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations, and to drive in a safe and considerate manner.
Ensure loads are properly distributed, secured and checked before departure to prevent movement in transit.
Customer and Public Safety
We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, visitors, neighbours and members of the public in areas where we are working. To support this, Removals Ilford will:
Assess risks to customers and others at each job location and adopt control measures such as safe zones, clear walkways and managed access points.
Minimise trip hazards by keeping tools, packing materials and equipment organised and tidy.
Use barriers, warning signs or cones where necessary around vehicles, loading areas or where work is taking place near public paths or shared access.
Communicate clearly with customers about planned work, potential hazards and any temporary restrictions on access.
Training, Information and Supervision
Removals Ilford will provide appropriate health and safety training for all staff, including induction training for new employees and job-specific training for removal operatives, drivers and supervisors. Training will cover topics such as manual handling, safe lifting, vehicle safety, use of equipment, incident reporting and emergency procedures.
Information about hazards and safety procedures will be provided verbally and in written form where appropriate. Supervisors will monitor working practices on site and will intervene where unsafe behaviour or conditions are observed.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. Removals Ilford will record and investigate these events to identify causes and implement improvements.
Emergency procedures will be in place for dealing with incidents such as personal injury, fire, vehicle accidents, hazardous conditions and sudden illness. Staff will be briefed on how to respond, including how to raise the alarm, call for assistance and make the area safe where possible.
Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly, and at least annually, to ensure it remains suitable and effective for the type of removal services we provide and the areas in which we operate. Reviews will consider changes in legislation, industry best practice, our operating methods and feedback from staff and customers.
Removals Ilford is committed to continual improvement and will update procedures, training and control measures where necessary to enhance safety performance and protect everyone affected by our activities.
