Health and Safety policy
Kingston Upon Thames Movers Health and Safety Policy
Kingston Upon Thames Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and relocation services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks and promoting best practice in all aspects of moving, packing, loading, transportation, and delivery.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, comply with applicable health and safety legislation, and continually improve our safety performance. We aim to identify, assess, and control hazards associated with household, office, and commercial removals, and to ensure that everyone involved understands their responsibilities.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes providing adequate resources, equipment, training, supervision, and time to manage health and safety risks effectively. Management will regularly review safety performance, investigate incidents, and take corrective actions where necessary.
Managers and supervisors must ensure that safe systems of work are in place for all removal activities, including manual handling, vehicle loading, driving, and use of lifting equipment. They will communicate safety procedures clearly and ensure that any changes in working practices are risk assessed before implementation.
Employee Responsibilities
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 all safety instructions, attend required training, and use the equipment and protective gear provided. Any hazards, defects, accidents, or near-misses must be reported promptly to a supervisor so they can be investigated and addressed.
Employees must not misuse or interfere with anything provided for health, safety, or welfare and must cooperate with management in meeting safety obligations. Everyone is encouraged to raise safety concerns or suggestions for improvement without fear of reprisal.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We conduct risk assessments for our moving activities to identify potential hazards such as manual handling injuries, slips and trips, falls from vehicles, and risks associated with driving and traffic. Based on these assessments, we introduce control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work are developed and communicated for tasks such as lifting and carrying heavy items, disassembly and reassembly of furniture, packing fragile goods, securing loads in vehicles, operating trolleys and lifting aids, and working in stairways, narrow corridors, and shared access areas. Where site-specific hazards are identified, tailored controls are implemented.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant part of removal work, and we take particular care to manage this safely. Staff receive training in correct lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, and lifting straps. Heavy or awkward items are planned and coordinated to avoid unnecessary strain or risk.
All equipment used in our operations is selected, maintained, and inspected to ensure it is fit for purpose. Defective or damaged equipment is removed from service immediately and reported so that repair or replacement can be arranged.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are operated in a safe and responsible manner at all times. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence and are required to follow road traffic laws and company driving standards. Vehicles are subject to regular checks and maintenance, including tyres, brakes, lights, and securing systems for loads.
Loads must be evenly distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit. Drivers and crew members must ensure safe access and egress from vehicles, particularly when operating in residential streets, busy commercial areas, or near pedestrians.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
When working at customer locations, our teams take all reasonable steps to protect the property, its occupants, and the surrounding public. This includes keeping walkways clear, managing trip hazards from packaging materials, using protective coverings where appropriate, and handling goods with care.
Where work is carried out in shared buildings or busy access areas, our staff will take extra precautions to coordinate movements, communicate with building users, and minimise disruption and risk.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We ensure that employees receive appropriate induction and ongoing training covering health and safety responsibilities, manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, and emergency procedures. Information about site-specific risks is provided before work begins where possible.
Supervisors monitor working practices and provide guidance and correction where needed. Refresher training is given when there are changes in equipment, work processes, or relevant legislation, or when incident investigations indicate a need.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, and near-misses must be reported so they can be recorded, investigated, and used to improve safety controls. We maintain appropriate records in line with legal requirements.
Staff are briefed on emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of injury, fire, or other serious incidents while on the road or at customer premises. First aid provisions are available and designated personnel are trained in basic first aid response.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We value input from our employees and customers regarding safety matters. Feedback on working practices, equipment, and risk controls is reviewed and, where appropriate, incorporated into updated procedures.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and revised as necessary to reflect changes in our operations, legislation, and best practice in the removals industry. Our goal is to maintain a culture where safety is integral to every move we carry out.
