Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Kingston upon Thames Removals

Kingston upon Thames Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our aims, responsibilities and arrangements for managing risks associated with our removal and relocation services, including packing, loading, transport and delivery.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our activities. We aim to identify hazards, assess risks and implement proportionate control measures. We promote a positive safety culture in which every person involved with our services understands their responsibilities and feels encouraged to raise concerns and suggest improvements.

Legal Responsibilities and Compliance

Kingston upon Thames Removals complies with all applicable health and safety legislation relevant to our operations. We monitor changes in legislation and recognised industry guidance and review our procedures when needed. This policy is supported by more detailed procedures addressing manual handling, vehicle and driver safety, use of equipment, housekeeping and emergency arrangements.

Management Responsibilities

The management team has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are provided for health and safety. Management duties include setting clear safety standards, providing appropriate training and supervision, ensuring that equipment and vehicles are fit for purpose, conducting risk assessments and reviewing incident reports to prevent recurrence.

Managers will regularly review working methods at customer premises, storage facilities and during transport, verifying that agreed safety controls are in place and effective. Where improvements are identified, managers will act promptly to update procedures and communicate changes to staff.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, whether permanent, temporary or agency, share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Staff must follow instructions, training and company procedures; use equipment and personal protective equipment correctly; report hazards, accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions; and cooperate with management to enable statutory duties to be fulfilled.

Employees are expected to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions, including customers, visitors and members of the public at or near collection and delivery sites.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We undertake risk assessments for our core activities, including manual handling of furniture and boxes, dismantling and assembling items, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, vehicle loading and unloading, and working in confined or restricted access areas such as stairways, lifts and narrow streets.

From these assessments we develop safe systems of work and method statements that define how tasks are to be carried out. These documents are communicated to staff and reviewed when there are changes in work practices, new equipment, incidents or significant near misses.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a key part of our work and is a significant focus of our safety arrangements. We provide training on correct lifting techniques, team lifts, maintaining clear communication during lifts and using appropriate equipment such as sack trucks, dollies and furniture sliders to reduce physical strain.

Heavy or awkward items are planned and assessed in advance wherever possible. Staff are instructed never to exceed their individual lifting capability and to request additional support or mechanical assistance when required.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in good condition, inspected regularly and serviced in line with manufacturer and regulatory requirements. Drivers must hold the appropriate valid licence for the vehicles they operate and follow company rules on safe driving, journey planning and loading practices.

Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit and to protect both staff and other road users. Drivers are required to comply with speed limits, parking restrictions and site-specific rules, and to adapt their driving to changing weather, traffic and road conditions.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

Kingston upon Thames Removals supplies suitable equipment and tools for the tasks undertaken. This includes lifting aids, straps, protective coverings, ramps and other specialist moving equipment. All equipment is checked regularly, maintained and removed from service if found to be defective.

Where necessary, we provide personal protective equipment such as gloves, high-visibility clothing and safety footwear. Staff are trained in its proper use, care and storage, and are required to wear it whenever specified by task risk assessments.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to work safely in and around customer premises and public areas. Our teams plan access routes, keep walkways as clear as reasonably practicable and use signs or verbal warnings to alert people to potential risks such as trip hazards or moving loads.

We take care to protect floors, walls, doors and fixtures to prevent damage and reduce risks of slips or trips. Where work takes place near entrances, pavements or shared access, staff are instructed to manage vehicle positioning and loading operations to minimise disruption and maintain public safety.

Training, Information and Supervision

All employees receive induction training on our health and safety procedures before starting operational duties. Additional task-specific training is provided on manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment and emergency arrangements. Refresher training is given periodically and when there are changes to procedures or equipment.

Supervisors monitor work practices on site, provide guidance and correct unsafe behaviour. Written instructions and safety information are available to staff, and important updates are communicated through briefings and toolbox talks.

Accident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported promptly to management. We record and investigate these events to determine root causes and to implement corrective and preventative measures.

Investigation findings are shared with relevant staff and used to improve risk assessments, training content and safe systems of work. Where legally required, incidents are reported to the appropriate authorities.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage feedback from employees, customers and contractors on health and safety matters. Staff are consulted on significant changes to working arrangements that may affect their health and safety, and their practical experience is used to refine our procedures.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, equipment, locations or applicable legislation. Updated versions are communicated to employees so that everyone understands our current standards and expectations.

Policy Review and Availability

This Health and Safety Policy forms part of our overall management system and applies to all areas of our removals business, including domestic and commercial moves, packing services and storage handling. A copy of this policy is available to employees and provided to customers or interested parties on request.

Kingston upon Thames Removals is committed to continual improvement and to maintaining high standards of health and safety in every aspect of the services we provide.