Harringay Removals Health and Safety Policy

Harringay Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, clients, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and relocation activities. We recognise that professional removals, packing and storage services involve manual handling, driving, lifting, use of equipment and work in varied premises, all of which require careful management of risk.

This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing those risks and maintaining high safety standards across all moves, whether domestic or commercial. It applies to all staff, including temporary workers, supervisors and managers, and to any contractors working under our direction.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

We aim to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures in all aspects of our removal operations. Our main objectives are to:

Ensure that work is planned and carried out so far as is reasonably practicable without risks to health and safety.
Promote a positive safety culture where everyone accepts their responsibilities and reports hazards promptly.
Provide suitable information, instruction, training and supervision for all employees.
Continually review and improve our safety arrangements to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance and operational practice.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Harringay Removals accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. Management will:

Implement and maintain this Health and Safety policy and associated procedures.
Ensure that risk assessments are carried out for key activities, including lifting and carrying, use of vehicles, loading and unloading, working at height when needed and operating in clients premises.
Provide suitable equipment and vehicles that are maintained in a safe condition and appropriate for the work to be undertaken.
Ensure that employees receive relevant and timely health and safety training, including induction training, manual handling, safe driving and use of any specialist equipment.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and act on reasonable suggestions for improvements.
Review this policy regularly and revise it when necessary.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees of Harringay Removals share a duty to work safely and to look after their own health and safety and that of others. Employees are required to:

Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided by the company.
Use vehicles, tools, lifting aids and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Take care when lifting, carrying and moving items, and always use safe manual handling techniques.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses and hazardous situations to management without delay.
Co operate with supervisors and colleagues to maintain safe working conditions at all times, including at clients homes and business premises.
Refrain from any behaviour that could compromise safety, including working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Safe Working Practices for Removals

We operate specific safe systems of work for removal and relocation activities. These include:

Pre move planning to assess site access, parking, lifting requirements, stairways, lifts and any special risks such as fragile items or restricted spaces.
Use of appropriate manual handling methods and lifting aids such as dollies, trolleys and straps, to minimise strain and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Careful loading and securing of goods in vehicles to prevent shifting during transit and to protect both staff and clients property.
Safe use of ramps, tail lifts and other equipment, with only trained staff authorised to operate them.
Measures to prevent slips, trips and falls, such as keeping walkways clear, using suitable footwear and managing trailing cables or loose materials.
Specific precautions when working in shared areas such as corridors, pavements and car parks, to protect members of the public from harm.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our removal services rely on safe operation of vehicles. We require that:

Only authorised and competent drivers operate company vehicles.
Drivers carry out pre use vehicle checks and report any defects immediately.
Vehicles are regularly serviced and maintained in line with manufacturers recommendations and legal requirements.
Loads are correctly distributed and secured before departure.
Drivers plan routes to allow adequate time for travel, avoiding unnecessary time pressure and fatigue.
All driving is carried out with consideration for other road users, pedestrians and local communities.

Client Premises and Public Safety

We understand that our work often takes place in occupied homes, offices and shared buildings. To protect clients and the public, we will:

Communicate clearly with clients before and during the move about access, parking and any particular site risks.
Use warning signs or verbal instructions where necessary to keep people away from hazardous areas.
Control access to loading zones and vehicle movements around entrances, driveways and shared spaces.
Work tidily, keeping exits, stairwells and corridors clear at all times.
Take care to avoid damage to property, fixtures and fittings, and to handle clients belongings with respect.

Training, Information and Supervision

Harringay Removals provides ongoing training and supervision to support safe working. This includes:

Health and safety induction for all new starters before they begin operational work.
Regular refresher training on manual handling, vehicle safety and use of equipment.
Task specific instruction for higher risk activities or specialist moves.
Supervision by experienced team leaders, particularly for new or less experienced staff.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We actively monitor our health and safety performance through incident reporting, inspections and feedback from employees and clients. Management reviews this information to identify trends and implement improvements. This policy and associated procedures are reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or to relevant legislation or guidance.

By working together and maintaining high standards at all times, Harringay Removals seeks to deliver safe, efficient and professional removal services to all customers across our operating area.