Haringey Removals Health and Safety Policy

Haringey Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and moving services. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks in all areas of our operations, including domestic moves, office relocations, packing, loading, transportation and unloading.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The primary aim of this Health and Safety Policy is to prevent injury, ill health and accidents associated with our removal activities. We will do this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting in place effective control measures. Our objectives are to:

Ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice related to removals and transport services.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, tools and working systems.

Ensure that all employees are competent to carry out their duties safely through appropriate training, supervision and instruction.

Promote a positive health and safety culture in which staff feel responsible for their own safety and the safety of others.

Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.

Management Responsibilities

The management team at Haringey Removals has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring its effectiveness. Management will:

Lead by example and demonstrate visible commitment to safe working practices.

Ensure that adequate resources are provided for health and safety, including training, protective equipment and vehicle maintenance.

Carry out and regularly review risk assessments for all key tasks, including lifting and carrying, loading and unloading, driving, and working at height when accessing vehicles.

Ensure that appropriate safe systems of work and method statements are in place and communicated to staff.

Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, take corrective action and share learning across the business.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees of Haringey Removals have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are expected to:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures, training and guidance provided.

Use vehicles, equipment and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately.

Cooperate with management in implementing health and safety measures.

Report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents and near misses as soon as possible.

Refrain from any behaviour that could compromise safety, including horseplay, working under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or ignoring safe lifting techniques.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Haringey Removals conducts risk assessments for key activities involved in home and office removals. These cover, but are not limited to:

Manual handling of furniture, appliances, boxes and specialist items.

Loading and securing loads in vehicles to prevent shifting during transit.

Driving and route planning to minimise road risks.

Working on customer premises, including stairs, narrow access routes and shared spaces.

Use of equipment such as sack trucks, removal blankets, ramps and securing straps.

Where significant risks are identified, control measures are introduced, documented and communicated to staff. These may include team lifting, equipment use, restricted weight limits, additional protective coverings, and specific loading plans for complex moves.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Manual handling is a core part of our removal services and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. We will:

Provide ongoing training in safe lifting and carrying techniques.

Encourage the use of handling aids wherever practicable.

Plan jobs to allow for sufficient staff to handle heavy or awkward items.

Assess and manage risks associated with stairs, long carrying distances and restricted access.

Ensure that staff take appropriate breaks and avoid over-exertion.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our work and are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Haringey Removals will:

Carry out regular inspections and servicing of all vehicles used for removals.

Ensure that only trained and authorised drivers operate our vehicles.

Promote safe driving practices, compliance with road traffic laws and defensive driving techniques.

Ensure that loads are properly distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit.

Plan routes and schedules realistically to reduce time pressure and fatigue.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer properties or business premises, we take steps to protect both occupants and the general public. We will:

Assess access routes, stairways and doorways before starting work.

Use appropriate floor protection, corner protectors and coverings to reduce risk of slips and damage.

Maintain clear walkways and avoid obstructing fire exits or shared access areas.

Use caution when moving items through communal spaces, pavements and entrances.

Minimise noise, disruption and any risk to neighbours or passers-by.

Training, Information and Supervision

Haringey Removals provides training and information to ensure our team can work safely and professionally. This includes:

Induction training covering core health and safety responsibilities.

Practical instruction in safe lifting, teamwork, equipment use and vehicle loading.

Ongoing refresher training where needed, particularly when introducing new equipment or procedures.

Supervision and on-the-job coaching for less experienced staff.

Welfare, Fatigue and Wellbeing

We recognise that removal work can be physically demanding. To support wellbeing we aim to:

Plan workloads and schedules that allow reasonable working hours and rest breaks.

Encourage hydration, rest and safe working pace during busy periods.

Support staff in reporting any health concerns that may affect their ability to work safely.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses are recorded and investigated. We ensure that:

Staff know how to report incidents promptly.

Basic first aid provisions are available in vehicles and at our base.

Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as fire, injury, road traffic accidents or load spillages.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals or following any significant change in our operations. We use feedback from staff, customers, incident investigations and inspections to improve our procedures and standards.

By working together, Haringey Removals aims to maintain a safe, reliable and professional removals service for all customers in our service area, protecting people, property and the wider community at every stage of the moving process.