Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Removal Company Soho Operations

Removal Company Soho is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, packing, loading, transport and delivery of goods in and around Soho and our wider service areas.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property through effective health and safety management. We will continually improve our safety performance by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing appropriate control measures across all removal activities.

We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards. Health and safety is an integral part of our planning and decision making, not an additional requirement.

Management Responsibilities

Company management has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and ensuring adequate resources are available to maintain safe operations. This includes providing suitable equipment, maintaining vehicles and handling aids, and ensuring clear procedures are in place for all removal tasks.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for:

Ensuring risk assessments are carried out and reviewed for premises, vehicles and typical removal tasks.

Communicating safe working procedures to staff and checking they are followed in day-to-day work.

Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses and taking corrective action to prevent recurrence.

Supporting staff in raising health and safety concerns without fear of reprisal.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes colleagues, customers, members of the public and other contractors present during removal work.

Employees must:

Follow all training, instructions and safe systems of work provided by the company.

Use vehicles, equipment, tools and personal protective equipment as directed and not misuse or interfere with anything provided for safety.

Report hazards, defects, accidents and near misses immediately to a supervisor or manager.

Cooperate fully with any investigation or audit intended to improve health and safety performance.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Removal Company Soho will conduct risk assessments for typical removal and transport activities, as well as for individual jobs where specific hazards are identified. This may include assessment of access routes, stairs, loading bays, parking and lifting requirements at both collection and delivery addresses.

The outcomes of these assessments are used to develop safe systems of work, including the number of staff required, the type of equipment needed and any specific instructions for handling bulky, heavy or fragile items. These procedures are communicated to staff before work begins and reviewed periodically to reflect changes in working practices.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant part of removals work. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, we will:

Provide training on safe lifting, carrying and team-handling techniques.

Encourage assessment of each lift, avoiding unnecessary manual handling where mechanical aids are available.

Use trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling equipment suitable for the type of items and property layout.

Plan routes to minimise carrying distances and avoid unsafe manoeuvres on stairs or confined spaces.

All vehicles, ramps and handling equipment will be inspected regularly and taken out of use if found to be defective.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our drivers are expected to operate vehicles safely and responsibly at all times. We will ensure that:

Vehicles are maintained in safe working order through regular inspections and servicing.

Loads are secured correctly to prevent shifting, damage and risk to road users.

Drivers are informed about safe driving practices, including speed limits, parking arrangements and restrictions around residential and commercial properties.

Driving hours and rest breaks are planned to reduce fatigue and maintain alertness.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our work often takes place in occupied homes, offices and residential buildings. We are committed to protecting customers, neighbours and passers-by from risks associated with our activities. To achieve this, we will:

Plan access and egress routes that minimise disruption and prevent obstruction of walkways and emergency exits.

Use signs or verbal warnings to alert people to moving items, open vehicle doors and loading activity.

Keep work areas as tidy as reasonably practicable, reducing trip hazards from packaging, tools and equipment.

Take particular care when working in shared corridors, stairwells and building entrances.

Training, Information and Supervision

Removal Company Soho will provide appropriate health and safety training and information to all employees, including new starters and temporary staff. Training may cover manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, emergency procedures and safe working at customer sites.

Supervisors will monitor working practices and provide guidance where necessary. Additional training will be arranged when new equipment is introduced or when changes in procedures occur.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported as soon as possible so that prompt action can be taken. We will maintain records to identify patterns and areas for improvement.

Emergency procedures will be communicated to staff, including actions to take in the event of fire, serious injury, vehicle collisions or property damage. Employees must familiarise themselves with emergency exits and procedures at customer sites and follow any local requirements.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be monitored and reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our removal operations. We will take into account changes in legislation, industry standards, customer requirements and feedback from staff.

Improvements may be implemented through updated procedures, additional training, changes in equipment or revised risk assessments. All employees are encouraged to contribute suggestions for improving health and safety performance.

Policy Communication and Acceptance

This policy is made available to all employees and is communicated during induction and refresher training. By working for Removal Company Soho, employees agree to comply with this policy and the associated procedures that support it.

Management will ensure that this policy is also available to customers and other interested parties on request, demonstrating our commitment to safe, professional removal services in Soho and the surrounding areas.