Health And Safety Policy For Removal Van Highbury
Removal Van Highbury is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, subcontractors, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to health and safety in our day-to-day operations, whether we are carrying out domestic moves, office relocations, or related collection and delivery services.
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property, and disruption to our customers by managing risks in a practical and responsible way. We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and continually work to improve our standards and performance.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Removal Van Highbury has overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this health and safety policy. Management will ensure that:
Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for all key activities, and control measures are put in place and maintained. Safe systems of work are communicated to all staff and are followed in practice. Equipment, vehicles, and tools used in removals are maintained in a safe condition and are fit for purpose. Employees receive appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision to carry out their tasks safely. Adequate resources are provided to support health and safety, including time, equipment, and training. Incidents, near misses, and customer concerns relating to safety are investigated and acted upon to prevent recurrence.
Managers and supervisors must lead by example, promote a positive safety culture, and take prompt action when unsafe acts or conditions are identified.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, agency workers, and subcontractors working for Removal Van Highbury share responsibility for maintaining high standards of health and safety. Every individual is expected to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided. Use vehicles, lifting equipment, and protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Co-operate with management in implementing health and safety measures and participate in training and briefings. Report hazards, near misses, incidents, and injuries as soon as possible, so that corrective actions can be taken. Refrain from horseplay, misuse of equipment, or any behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk.
Risk Assessment And Safe Working Practices
Risk assessments are undertaken for core activities such as loading and unloading vehicles, lifting and carrying furniture, using trolleys and lifting aids, driving and parking vehicles, working on customer premises, and handling fragile or heavy items. Control measures are put in place to minimise risks, such as using appropriate lifting techniques, planning routes and parking to reduce reversing and manoeuvring hazards, selecting suitable equipment for stairs, narrow entrances, and high-rise properties, and ensuring good communication within the removals team and with customers.
Where conditions change on site, staff must review the risks and adjust the work plan. Any work that cannot be carried out safely must be stopped and reported to a manager.
Manual Handling And Use Of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of removal work and can lead to strains, sprains, and more serious injuries if not managed properly. Removal Van Highbury will provide training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and the correct use of equipment. Our teams must:
Assess the load before moving it, considering its weight, size, centre of gravity, and any sharp or fragile elements. Use mechanical aids, such as sack trucks, dollies, and lifting straps, wherever reasonable. Work in teams for heavy or awkward items and agree the lift and route before moving. Avoid twisting while carrying and ensure clear walkways free from tripping hazards. Take regular breaks when handling heavy items for extended periods.
All equipment must be regularly checked, used only for its intended purpose, and taken out of service immediately if damaged or defective.
Vehicle Safety And Driving Standards
Our vehicles are essential to our operations and must be used safely at all times to protect drivers, passengers, other road users, and pedestrians. Removal Van Highbury will ensure that vehicles are properly maintained, serviced, and inspected. Drivers must:
Hold the appropriate driving licence and be authorised to drive the vehicle class. Conduct pre-use checks and report any defects at once. Secure loads so that items cannot move or fall during transit. Follow road traffic laws and drive in a manner that is considerate, legal, and safe. Plan routes with safety in mind, considering access restrictions, loading areas, and local conditions. Avoid driving while fatigued and take breaks in line with good practice and any statutory requirements.
Customer Premises And Public Safety
Our work frequently takes place in customers homes, offices, and shared spaces, where the safety of occupants and the public must be considered. When working on site, staff must maintain clear access and escape routes, use warning signs or verbal warnings where work may create a slip, trip, or obstruction hazard, handle customer property with care to avoid damage or creating unsafe conditions, control trailing cables, ramps, and equipment so they do not become hazards, and be especially cautious in communal areas, stairwells, and pavements where members of the public may pass.
Training, Supervision, And Communication
Removal Van Highbury is committed to providing ongoing training to ensure staff are competent and confident in managing health and safety. Training may include induction for new starters, manual handling and safe lifting, safe use of vehicles and equipment, incident reporting procedures, and customer care with attention to safety. Supervisors will monitor working practices and provide feedback and additional instruction where required.
Incident Reporting And Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences, whether on the road, in a depot, or at customer premises, must be reported as soon as it is safe to do so. Removal Van Highbury will record, investigate, and review incidents to identify causes and implement preventative measures. Staff must know the emergency arrangements relevant to their work, including how to contact emergency services, how to respond to injuries, fire, or sudden illness, and how to evacuate premises in an orderly and safe manner. First aid provision appropriate to the scale and nature of our work will be maintained.
Policy Review
This health and safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our activities, legislation, best practice, or the results of incident investigations and risk assessments. All employees will be informed of significant changes, and updated procedures will be communicated clearly.
By working together and following this policy, Removal Van Highbury aims to provide a safe and reliable removals service for our customers and a safe working environment for our staff.
