Tooting Removals Health and Safety Policy

Tooting Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public affected by our activities. This policy supports our work delivering professional removal and relocation services, and sets out how we manage health, safety and welfare across all jobs, from small residential moves to larger commercial relocations.

Policy Statement and Objectives

The objective of this Health and Safety Policy is to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and promote a culture of safety throughout our operations. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risk, and implementing effective control measures for all aspects of removal work, including lifting, loading, transport, storage and deliveries at customers premises.

Management will provide the resources, training and supervision needed to maintain high health and safety standards and will review this policy regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective.

Responsibilities

The company management has overall responsibility for health and safety within Tooting Removals. This includes setting safety standards, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and codes of practice, and overseeing the implementation of this policy.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day implementation, including briefing staff before jobs, checking that equipment is in safe condition, monitoring work practices, and reporting any incidents or near misses so that lessons can be learned.

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards and cooperate fully with health and safety procedures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Risk assessments are carried out for typical removal tasks such as manual handling, working in stairwells, operating in confined spaces, working in shared access areas, and loading and unloading vehicles. Where specific risks arise at a customer site, a site-specific assessment will be completed before work begins.

Based on these assessments, Tooting Removals maintains safe systems of work, including planned lifting techniques, use of handling aids, vehicle positioning, traffic management on site where required, and consistent communication within the removal team.

Manual Handling and Lifting Operations

Manual handling is a core element of the removals industry, and safe practice is essential. Staff are trained in correct lifting and carrying techniques, team lifting procedures, and the use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling equipment.

Heavy or awkward items, such as large furniture, appliances and safes, are only moved following a specific assessment and may require additional staff, mechanical aids or specialist equipment. Employees are instructed not to attempt to lift or move any object they believe cannot be handled safely.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Tooting Removals ensures that all vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition, with regular checks and servicing. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence and are expected to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking regulations at all times.

Loads must be properly distributed and securely fastened to prevent movement in transit. Drivers are responsible for conducting pre-use vehicle checks and reporting any defects immediately. Journey planning takes account of safe routes, access restrictions and safe loading or unloading locations near customer properties.

Work at Customers Premises

When operating in customers homes or business premises, our teams will take reasonable steps to protect both people and property. This includes keeping access routes clear, using protective coverings where appropriate, and communicating any potential hazards to the customer.

Particular care is taken in communal areas, narrow staircases, shared driveways and public pavements, where the safety of third parties must be considered. Where necessary, temporary barriers or signs may be used, and a member of staff may be designated to manage access while heavy items are being moved.

Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

All equipment and tools used in removal operations must be suitable for the task and maintained in good condition. This includes lifting straps, sack trucks, piano skids, ramps and protective materials. Damaged or defective equipment must not be used and must be reported so it can be repaired or replaced.

Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear and high-visibility clothing where appropriate, is provided according to the risk assessment for the task. Staff must use the protective equipment supplied and keep it in good condition.

Training, Information and Supervision

Tooting Removals provides health and safety induction training for all new employees and ongoing training for existing staff to keep knowledge and skills up to date. Training covers manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, hazard awareness and emergency procedures.

Information about specific risks and control measures is given at job briefings and toolbox talks. Supervisors monitor working practices and provide guidance and corrective instruction where safe procedures are not being followed.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported as soon as possible. This allows appropriate medical attention to be arranged where necessary and enables the company to investigate causes and take corrective action.

Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as road collisions, injuries during lifting, fire, and hazards encountered at customer sites. Staff receive guidance on how to respond, including raising the alarm, making the area safe where possible, and contacting the appropriate emergency services.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Tooting Removals values the input of employees in improving health and safety performance. Staff are encouraged to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safer ways of working.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice, and lessons learned from incidents or feedback. Our aim is to continually enhance the safety of our removal services for everyone involved.