Health and Safety Policy for Balham Removal Company

This Health and Safety policy sets out how our removal company manages health, safety and welfare for employees, contractors, customers and members of the public in and around Balham and the wider area we serve. Our aim is to provide a safe, efficient and professional removals service while preventing injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm.

Policy Statement and Objectives

We are committed to maintaining high health and safety standards in all aspects of our removals operations, including house moves, office relocations, packing, loading, transport and unloading. Our objectives are to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, comply with current health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice, provide safe vehicles, equipment and systems of work, and ensure that health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning and decision-making.

This policy applies to all employees, labour-only subcontractors and any other persons working on our behalf, as well as to all locations where we operate, including customer premises, offices, storage facilities and on the road.

Responsibilities and Management

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that adequate resources, training and supervision are provided. Management will review this policy regularly, monitor performance and implement improvements where necessary.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day implementation of this policy. They must ensure that staff follow safe systems of work, use equipment correctly, wear appropriate personal protective equipment and report hazards or incidents immediately.

All employees share responsibility for safeguarding their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Each person must cooperate with company procedures, attend training, follow instructions, report concerns and refrain from any unsafe behaviour.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our key removal activities, including packing and handling of items, manual lifting and carrying, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, vehicle loading, securing loads, driving and unloading at the destination property. These risk assessments identify hazards and set out control measures that all staff must follow.

Safe systems of work are documented and communicated to staff through induction, toolbox talks and refresher training. These systems cover planning of moves, assessing access routes at properties, safe lifting techniques, use of ramps and tail-lifts, stacking and securing of goods, and working in stairwells, narrow streets and shared access areas.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Our approach includes assessing the weight, size and shape of items before lifting, team lifting of heavy or awkward loads, use of handling aids such as trolleys, skates and straps, and breaking down loads where reasonably practicable.

All staff receive training in correct lifting and carrying techniques, avoiding twisting and over-reaching, and recognising when a load is too heavy or unsafe to handle without assistance. Staff are encouraged to stop and seek help whenever they feel a lift is beyond safe limits.

Equipment used in our removals operations, including vehicles, tail-lifts, ramps, trolleys and other lifting aids, is maintained in a safe condition. Regular checks and servicing are carried out, and any defects are reported immediately and taken out of use until repaired.

Vehicle, Driving and Road Safety

We recognise our duty to manage the risks associated with driving and operating vehicles in busy residential and commercial areas. Our vehicles are maintained in accordance with manufacturers recommendations and legal requirements. Daily checks are conducted by drivers before use, and defects are reported promptly.

Drivers must hold the correct licence, be competent for the class of vehicle they operate and comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking restrictions. Routes are planned to reduce unnecessary mileage and to allow safe access to properties across our service area. Extra care is taken when reversing, manoeuvring in tight streets, and working near pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

Loads are secured properly before departure, with appropriate use of straps, blankets and other securing devices to prevent movement, damage to goods or injury to staff and customers during transit.

Work at Customer Premises

We take particular care when working inside homes and business premises. Before work starts, our teams assess access routes, stairs, corridors and doorways, identify potential trip or slip hazards and agree safe methods for moving items. Protective coverings may be used to reduce the risk of slips and protect flooring where appropriate.

We aim to minimise disruption to customers and other occupants, ensuring that walkways remain clear where possible and that noise, dust and obstruction are kept to reasonable levels. Team leaders are responsible for coordinating activity on site and maintaining communication with the customer throughout the move.

Personal Protective Equipment and Welfare

Personal protective equipment is provided as required by risk assessments. This may include safety footwear, protective gloves, hi-visibility clothing and other items appropriate to the task and environment. Employees are required to use and look after PPE provided to them and to report any damage or defects.

We recognise the importance of welfare for our teams, including access to rest breaks, drinking water and appropriate facilities. Work schedules are planned to avoid excessive fatigue, and staff are encouraged to report any health concerns that may affect their ability to work safely.

Training, Information and Supervision

All new employees receive a health and safety induction covering the content of this policy, emergency arrangements, safe manual handling, vehicle and driving safety, and company procedures relevant to removals work. Further training and refresher sessions are provided as required, including training for higher-risk tasks such as use of lifting equipment.

Information about hazards and control measures is communicated clearly to staff through briefings, signage and written instructions. Supervisors monitor practices on site and provide guidance and correction where necessary to maintain safe standards.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses, property damage and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Records are kept in accordance with legal requirements.

Our teams are briefed on emergency procedures, including fire safety, evacuation, first aid arrangements and what to do in the event of a road traffic collision or serious injury. At customer premises, our staff will follow any site-specific emergency procedures that are in place.

Consultation, Review and Continuous Improvement

We consult with employees on health and safety matters, encouraging suggestions for improving safety and efficiency in our removals operations. Feedback from staff and customers is considered when reviewing procedures and risk assessments.

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance, working practices or the nature and scale of our services. By working together and maintaining a strong safety culture, we aim to provide reliable removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved.