Health and Safety Policy for Removals and Storage

This Health and Safety policy sets out our commitment to providing a safe working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public while carrying out removals and storage services. We recognise that our activities involve manual handling, vehicle operations, and work at customers homes and business premises, and we are committed to managing these risks responsibly.

Our Commitment to Health and Safety

The company is committed to preventing injury and ill health arising from our removals and storage operations. We will provide the resources, training, supervision, and equipment necessary to ensure that work is carried out safely and in accordance with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

We will maintain safe systems of work, consult with employees on health and safety matters, and regularly review our procedures to ensure continuous improvement.

Roles and Responsibilities

Management has overall responsibility for health and safety throughout the business. This includes implementing this policy, ensuring suitable risk assessments are completed, and making sure corrective actions are taken when required.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for enforcing safe working practices on site, monitoring the condition of vehicles and equipment, and ensuring staff follow training and instructions.

All employees and contractors are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents promptly, and co operate with all health and safety measures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our main activities including household removals, commercial relocations, storage handling, loading and unloading vehicles, and operating in varying environments such as homes, offices, and shared access areas.

These assessments identify hazards such as manual handling risks, slips and trips, falls from vehicles or steps, traffic movement, confined or cluttered spaces, and potential damage to customer premises or property. Control measures and safe working procedures are then developed, communicated to staff, and monitored for effectiveness.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removals work and is a significant area of risk. We aim to minimise manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable by planning moves carefully and using appropriate mechanical aids.

We provide equipment such as sack barrows, dollies, furniture skates, lifting straps, ramps, and protective covers, and ensure that staff receive training in their correct and safe use. Loads are assessed before lifting to consider weight, size, shape, and route. Team lifting is used for heavy or awkward items, and staff are instructed never to exceed their personal limits.

We promote correct posture and handling techniques, including maintaining a stable stance, keeping loads close to the body, avoiding twisting, and taking breaks when needed to avoid fatigue.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition with regular inspections and servicing. Drivers are required to carry out daily pre use checks and to report defects immediately for prompt rectification.

Loads are planned and distributed to maintain vehicle stability, with appropriate securing of items to prevent movement during transit. Access ramps and tail lifts, where used, are operated only by trained personnel and in accordance with manufacturers instructions.

Drivers must follow road traffic laws at all times, allow sufficient travel time to avoid rushing, and take account of weather, traffic conditions, and access limitations at collection and delivery addresses.

Work at Customer Premises

Our teams often work inside customers homes and workplaces, as well as in shared corridors, stairwells, and car parks. On arrival, the team leader carries out a dynamic risk assessment, identifying hazards such as narrow staircases, uneven surfaces, low ceilings, fragile fixtures, or other obstacles.

Protective measures may include using floor covers, corner protectors, warning signs, and careful routing of items to avoid damage and reduce risk of slips, trips, or impact injuries. Where access is restricted or unsafe, the work method may be adjusted or, if necessary, work may be paused until the risks can be properly addressed.

Storage Facilities and Warehouse Safety

In our storage and warehouse environments, we manage risks associated with racking, palletisation, stacked goods, vehicle movements, and pedestrian areas. Clear walkways and designated loading zones are maintained, with appropriate lighting and housekeeping standards.

Goods are stacked securely and within safe height limits, and only trained staff operate any mechanical handling equipment provided at the storage facility. Access to storage units is controlled to ensure the safety of customers and visitors.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All new staff receive an induction that covers our health and safety policy, emergency arrangements, and safe methods of working. Role specific training, including manual handling, use of equipment, and vehicle safety, is provided and refreshed periodically.

Information on risks and procedures is communicated through briefings, toolbox talks, and written guidance. Supervisors monitor working practices and provide on the job coaching to maintain safe standards.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where risks cannot be fully controlled by other means, suitable personal protective equipment is provided, such as safety footwear, gloves, and high visibility clothing when working near traffic or in loading areas. Staff are required to use and look after this equipment in accordance with training and report any defects or losses immediately.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses, and incidents, however minor, must be reported to management as soon as possible. This allows us to investigate causes, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence.

Emergency arrangements for fire, first aid, and evacuation are in place at our premises and are communicated to staff. When working at customer sites, our teams familiarise themselves with local emergency procedures wherever possible and act in a way that prioritises safety for everyone present.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary, for example following changes in legislation, work practices, equipment, or after any serious incident. We welcome feedback from employees and customers to help improve the safety and quality of our removals and storage services.