Health and Safety Policy for Removals Sutton
Removals Sutton is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health, safety and welfare for our employees, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals operations. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks, promoting safe working practices and ensuring legal compliance in all areas where we provide removal services.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We aim to prevent accidents, work-related ill health and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. Health and safety are integral to the planning and delivery of every removal job, from initial survey through to completion of the move.
Management is responsible for providing safe systems of work, suitable equipment and appropriate training, and for monitoring performance. All employees are required to co-operate fully with this policy and with any procedures or instructions issued for their safety and the safety of others.
Legal Compliance and Continual Improvement
Removals Sutton complies with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry guidelines that apply to removal and transportation activities. We regularly review this policy and our procedures to reflect changes in law, best practice and the nature of our work. Where improvements can be made, we seek to implement them promptly and effectively.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to the implementation of this policy. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day implementation on site, including ensuring that staff follow safe practices and use equipment correctly.
All employees, including drivers, porters and office staff, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow safety instructions, use protective equipment as required, report hazards or incidents, and not intentionally misuse or interfere with any safety equipment.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before any removal work is undertaken, we carry out appropriate risk assessments to identify potential hazards such as manual handling risks, vehicle movements, access issues, uneven surfaces, stairs, heavy or awkward items, and weather conditions. The findings of these assessments are used to plan each move and determine the safest methods of work.
Where necessary, site-specific risk assessments will be undertaken at the property or premises to identify any additional local risks, such as restricted access, shared entrances, or proximity to traffic. Control measures may include the use of additional staff, specialist equipment, traffic control, safe loading areas and clear communication with customers and neighbours.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is one of the major sources of potential injury. To reduce these risks, Removals Sutton ensures that staff receive appropriate manual handling training and instruction. Staff are taught to assess the load, the route and their own capability before lifting or moving items.
We use suitable handling equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, dollies, straps and ramps wherever appropriate. Staff must use such equipment in accordance with their training and the manufacturer’s instructions. Loads are to be kept stable, secure and within safe weight limits, and items must be carried in a way that minimises strain and avoids sudden movements.
Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety
Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition and are subject to regular checks, servicing and inspections. Drivers are required to carry out pre-use checks, report defects without delay and follow all relevant road traffic laws.
Vehicles must be loaded and unloaded safely and securely, with weight distributed evenly and loads restrained to prevent movement during transit. Access to the vehicle and loading areas must be kept clear, and suitable ramp systems used where required. Drivers and crew must take care when reversing or manoeuvring, using a banksman where possible in tight or busy locations.
Working at Height and Use of Premises
Where work involves stairs, balconies, ramps or other height-related hazards, specific attention is given to preventing falls and dropped objects. Items must not be passed over open stairwells or railings where there is a risk to people below. Use of ladders or other access equipment is only permitted where necessary and must follow safe usage guidelines.
When working within customers’ homes, offices or other premises, our staff take care to protect flooring, fixtures and fittings, and to maintain safe access routes. Trip hazards from packaging, tools or equipment are to be minimised by keeping walkways clear and organising work areas efficiently.
Personal Protective Equipment and Welfare
Where risks cannot be eliminated by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment may be provided, such as protective footwear and gloves. Staff are required to use this equipment as instructed and to keep it in good condition.
We recognise the importance of welfare facilities and the need for adequate breaks during demanding physical work. Staff are encouraged to remain hydrated, to pace physical tasks safely and to raise any health concerns that might affect their ability to carry out removal activities.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive suitable induction training covering general health and safety, company procedures and their specific duties. Ongoing training is provided in areas such as manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety and emergency procedures. Supervisors ensure that new or inexperienced staff are adequately supervised until they are competent.
We provide clear instructions and information about each job, including any particular risks or customer requirements. Staff are encouraged to ask questions where anything is unclear and to share good practice and lessons learned from previous work.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to management or the responsible supervisor. We keep records of such events and investigate them to identify causes and implement corrective actions.
Emergency arrangements are in place to deal with incidents such as fire, injury, vehicle breakdown or spillage. Staff are briefed on what to do in an emergency, including how to make the area safe, seek assistance and co-operate with emergency services.
Customer and Public Safety
We take care to minimise disruption and risk to customers, neighbours and the general public during removal operations. This may include controlling access to loading areas, using warning signs or barriers where appropriate, and scheduling work to reduce congestion or disturbance.
Our staff are instructed to act courteously and professionally at all times and to inform customers of any safety considerations that may affect them during the move, such as restricted access points or temporary trip hazards.
Review of Policy
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in our operations, legal requirements and best practice. All employees are made aware of any significant changes and are expected to comply with the latest version of this policy.
