Movers Harrow Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Movers Harrow manages health, safety and welfare for employees, contractors, customers and members of the public during all removal and related services. Our aim is to provide a safe working environment and to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property throughout every stage of our work.
Senior management is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, maintained and reviewed regularly. All staff, including temporary workers and subcontractors, are expected to co-operate fully with health and safety arrangements and to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
General Health and Safety Responsibilities
Movers Harrow will take all reasonably practicable steps to safeguard the health and safety of those involved in or affected by our activities. This includes planning removal operations carefully, using suitable equipment and following safe systems of work tailored to the moving and handling of household and commercial goods.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation of this policy, including briefing staff before jobs, checking that equipment is in good condition and ensuring that safe working practices are followed on site and at our premises.
Employees have a duty to work safely, follow instructions and training, use equipment correctly, and report any hazards, defects, incidents or near-misses without delay. Unsafe behaviour, misuse of equipment or failure to follow safety procedures may result in disciplinary action.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before starting removal activities, Movers Harrow will identify potential hazards and assess the risks associated with the specific job, location and items to be moved. This may include, for example, assessing access routes, staircases, lifts, parking arrangements, manual handling requirements, weather conditions and any special risks such as fragile or heavy objects.
Based on these assessments, appropriate control measures will be put in place. These may include using additional staff for heavy lifts, employing lifting aids, planning safe routes for carrying items, securing loads in vehicles, and ensuring that customers and the public are kept away from hazardous areas.
Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in working practices, equipment, premises or legislation. Lessons learned from incidents and near-misses are used to update and improve safe systems of work.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and presents a significant risk of injury if not managed properly. Movers Harrow will minimise the need for heavy manual lifting where reasonably practicable and will provide handling equipment appropriate to the tasks, such as trolleys, dollies, straps and protective coverings.
All staff involved in lifting and carrying will receive manual handling training covering correct techniques, team lifting, assessment of loads and personal limitations. Employees are expected to use proper techniques at all times, avoid unsafe shortcuts and request assistance if they consider a load to be too heavy or awkward.
All tools, vehicles and lifting equipment used during removal operations will be maintained in safe working order and inspected at suitable intervals. Defective or damaged equipment must not be used and must be reported immediately so it can be repaired or taken out of service.
Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety
Movers Harrow will operate its vehicles responsibly and ensure that they are inspected and maintained in accordance with legal and manufacturer requirements. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, be medically fit to drive and follow road traffic law at all times.
Loads will be securely stowed to prevent movement in transit, taking into account weight distribution and the nature of the goods. Drivers are required to carry out basic checks before journeys, report any defects and adhere to journey planning and scheduling designed to avoid excessive working hours and driver fatigue.
Working at Height and Property Protection
Some removal activities may involve working at height, for example using ramps, steps or accessing higher floors. Movers Harrow will avoid working at height where possible and, where it is necessary, will ensure the use of stable access equipment and safe methods of work.
Care will always be taken to protect customers' property and the fabric of buildings. This includes using protective coverings, avoiding overloading floors and staircases, and ensuring that doors, passages and exits are kept as clear as practicable throughout the move.
Customer, Public and Site Safety
Movers Harrow recognises its responsibility to protect customers, visitors and members of the public from risks arising from removal operations. Where necessary, loading and unloading areas will be marked or segregated to reduce the risk of collision or trip hazards.
Our teams will communicate clearly with customers about the areas in use, any temporary restrictions on access and any specific precautions that should be followed during the move. We will take account of vulnerable persons, such as children or those with mobility issues, and adjust our methods where required to maintain safety.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees will receive appropriate induction training covering basic health and safety requirements, emergency procedures and the specific risks associated with removal work. Additional job-specific training will be provided as necessary, including manual handling, safe vehicle use and operation of any specialised equipment.
Supervisors will monitor the performance of staff on site to ensure that safe practices are maintained and to provide guidance where needed. Refresher training will be arranged periodically and following any significant change to working methods or equipment.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, near-misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to a responsible person as soon as possible. Movers Harrow will keep appropriate records and investigate incidents in order to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
First aid arrangements appropriate to the scale of our activities will be in place. Staff will be informed of the location of first aid supplies and the identity of trained first aiders where applicable. Emergency procedures, including fire safety and evacuation at our premises, will be clearly communicated and tested as required.
Health, Welfare and Continual Improvement
Movers Harrow is committed to promoting the general health and welfare of employees. We will endeavour to manage working hours, workloads and rest breaks to reduce fatigue and stress. Where there are concerns about health, fitness for work or the impact of work activities on wellbeing, staff are encouraged to raise these issues so that suitable support or adjustments can be considered.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective. Feedback from employees and customers, together with changes in industry practice or legislation, will be considered in updating our procedures. Our objective is continual improvement in safety performance, ensuring that every move is carried out as safely and efficiently as possible.
