Health and Safety policy
Twickenham Movers Health and Safety Policy
Twickenham Movers is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and related services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with home and office removals, storage handling, transport operations and on-site work at customer premises.
We recognise our legal and moral duties to protect the health, safety and welfare of all persons involved in or affected by our activities. Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and disruption to our clients' homes and businesses through effective planning, supervision and control of our work.
Policy Objectives
The key objectives of this Health and Safety Policy are to:
Identify, assess and control risks arising from removal, packing, loading, transport and unloading activities.
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, tools and work systems that are suitable for professional removals.
Ensure all employees receive appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to work safely and competently.
Promote a positive safety culture where all staff take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.
Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation, regulations and industry best practice relevant to removal and logistics services.
Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Twickenham Movers has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring adequate resources are made available. Management will:
Lead by example in all health and safety matters and demonstrate visible commitment to safe working practices.
Develop and maintain documented risk assessments and safe systems of work for key tasks such as manual handling, vehicle loading, working at height, use of lifting equipment and work in customers' premises.
Provide suitable personal protective equipment where required and ensure it is used and maintained correctly.
Ensure that all vehicles, lifting aids, trolleys and associated equipment used in removals are properly maintained, inspected and safe for use.
Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses promptly, identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage feedback on working practices and potential improvements.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Twickenham Movers have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees are required to:
Follow all safety instructions, training, procedures and method statements provided by the company.
Use vehicles, tools, lifting equipment and protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Adopt safe manual handling techniques, avoid unsafe lifting and seek assistance or mechanical aids for heavy or awkward items.
Maintain good housekeeping standards in vehicles, storage areas and at customer premises to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls.
Report all accidents, injuries, incidents and near misses, however minor, as soon as practicable.
Refrain from working under the influence of drugs or alcohol and declare any medical conditions that may affect their ability to work safely.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Twickenham Movers will carry out regular risk assessments covering typical activities involved in domestic and commercial removals. These assessments will consider hazards such as manual handling, vehicle movements, access and egress at properties, working on staircases, use of lifting equipment, traffic management, weather conditions and security of loads.
From these assessments, safe systems of work and method statements will be developed and communicated to all relevant staff. These may include, but are not limited to, procedures for assessing load weight, using correct lifting techniques, team lifting of heavy items, safe stacking and securing of goods in vehicles, and appropriate protective measures when working in confined spaces or shared access areas.
Training and Competence
All staff will receive induction training covering the company health and safety policy, emergency procedures, manual handling, vehicle and equipment safety, and safe working on customer premises. Task-specific training will be provided where necessary, for example in the use of lifting aids, operating tail lifts, handling fragile or high-value items and dealing with challenging access conditions.
Training needs will be reviewed regularly and refresher training will be provided to ensure skills and knowledge remain up to date. Records of all training will be maintained by management.
Vehicles, Equipment and Maintenance
Our vehicles are selected and maintained to meet the demands of professional removal services. Regular inspections and servicing are carried out in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Any defects are reported promptly and vehicles or equipment taken out of service where safety could be compromised.
All lifting and handling equipment used in removals, such as sack trucks, dollies, furniture sliders and hoists, will be inspected regularly to ensure they remain safe and fit for purpose.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We recognise that our work often takes place in occupied homes and business premises, where the safety of customers, their employees, visitors and members of the public is of paramount importance. Our teams will:
Conduct a dynamic on-site risk assessment on arrival, identifying hazards such as restricted access, uneven surfaces, shared corridors, staircases and vehicle parking arrangements.
Plan safe access routes for moving items, minimise obstructions and use warning signs or barriers where appropriate.
Take reasonable steps to prevent damage to property and ensure that exits, fire routes and emergency access points remain clear at all times.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy will be monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals, or sooner if there are significant changes in legislation, operations or following any serious incident. Findings from audits, inspections, staff feedback and incident investigations will be used to improve our systems and practices.
Twickenham Movers is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and expects the co-operation of all employees, contractors and partners to achieve a safe, efficient and professional removals service.
