Health and Safety policy
Edgware Movers Health and Safety Policy
Edgware Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and related services. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in all areas of our operations, including domestic and commercial moves, packing, loading, transport and storage activities.
Policy Objectives
The primary objectives of this Health and Safety Policy are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and equipment, and ensure that all work associated with our moving services is carried out safely and responsibly. We aim to:
Identify, assess and control risks arising from our removal activities.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and systems of work.
Ensure employees are competent, adequately trained and supervised.
Promote a culture where health and safety is an integral part of everyday operations.
Continually improve our health and safety performance through regular review.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Edgware Movers has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this policy. Management will:
Lead by example in promoting safe working practices.
Allocate appropriate resources for health and safety, including training and equipment.
Ensure that risk assessments are carried out, documented and reviewed as required.
Make sure that all lifting and transport equipment is properly maintained and inspected.
Investigate accidents, near misses and incidents and implement corrective actions.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees are expected to:
Follow all safe systems of work, instructions and training provided.
Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly.
Report hazards, defects, accidents and near misses promptly to management.
Cooperate fully with health and safety procedures, inspections and investigations.
Refrain from any conduct that could endanger themselves, colleagues or the public.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Risk assessments are carried out for all key activities, including manual handling of furniture and boxes, use of trolleys and lifting aids, loading and unloading vehicles, driving and route planning, and work at customers premises. Findings from these assessments are used to develop safe systems of work that reflect the specific risks of the removals environment.
Before each move, staff are expected to assess the access routes, stairways, parking arrangements and any site-specific hazards. Where necessary, additional control measures will be implemented, such as the use of extra staff, specialist equipment or altered loading methods to manage risks safely.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of removals work and is a frequent source of injury if not managed correctly. Edgware Movers provides training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting procedures and the correct use of handling equipment. Work is planned to minimise the need for heavy or awkward manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable.
Removal equipment, including dollies, sack trucks, straps, ramps and blankets, is selected and maintained to support safe handling. All equipment is inspected at appropriate intervals, and any defects are reported immediately and taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and subject to regular checks and servicing appropriate to their use for removals. Drivers must carry out pre-use checks, report any defects, and operate vehicles in accordance with training and legal requirements.
Driving and loading are planned to reduce risks, taking into account weight distribution, securing of loads, route selection and likely traffic and weather conditions. Loads must be properly secured to prevent movement during transit, protecting both staff and other road users.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our teams work in and around customers premises, shared access areas and public spaces. Staff must take steps to minimise disruption and prevent accidents to customers, neighbours and passers-by. This includes using safe parking and unloading areas where possible, maintaining clear walkways, and managing trip hazards such as packing materials and tools.
Where work may affect access routes or shared areas, staff will communicate with customers and others in the vicinity to agree safe arrangements and reduce risks to the public.
Training, Information and Supervision
Edgware Movers provides information, instruction, training and supervision appropriate to each role. This includes induction training, task-specific training for manual handling, use of equipment and vehicle operation, and refresher training where necessary.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for ensuring that staff follow training and procedures during moves, and for intervening where unsafe practices are observed.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as practicable. Records are kept to help identify trends and inform improvements in our procedures. Staff are informed of the arrangements for first aid, emergency contacts and incident response as part of their induction and ongoing training.
In the event of an emergency at a customer premises or on the road, staff must prioritise their own safety and that of others, follow any site-specific emergency procedures, and notify management as soon as it is safe to do so.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Edgware Movers encourages feedback from employees on health and safety matters. Staff are consulted on changes that affect their safety and are invited to suggest improvements to working practices, equipment and training.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and revised as necessary to reflect changes in our operations, best practice guidance and relevant legal requirements. Updated versions are communicated to all employees and made available for customers and interested parties on request.
