Goldersgreen Removals Health and Safety Policy

Goldersgreen Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and relocation activities. This Health and Safety Policy outlines our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial moves, storage operations and transportation of goods.

Policy Statement and Objectives

The objective of this policy is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health arising from our operations. We aim to identify, assess and control hazards linked to lifting and carrying, vehicle use, loading and unloading, working in customers premises and operating in public spaces.

We are committed to continuous improvement in our health and safety performance through effective planning, implementation, monitoring and review. Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our operational decision-making and service delivery.

Legal Responsibilities

Goldersgreen Removals will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice for the removals sector. We will ensure that our management systems are designed to meet or exceed statutory requirements and that employees understand their responsibilities under applicable laws and company procedures.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management has overall responsibility for establishing, maintaining and reviewing this Health and Safety Policy. Management duties include:

Setting clear health and safety objectives and ensuring adequate resources are available to achieve them.

Ensuring suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for removal work, storage activities and transport operations.

Implementing safe working procedures and ensuring they are communicated, understood and followed.

Providing appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision for all employees.

Ensuring that vehicles, equipment and tools are properly maintained, inspected and fit for purpose.

Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee of Goldersgreen Removals has a responsibility to safeguard their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are expected to:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided by the company.

Use vehicles, equipment, lifting aids and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.

Take reasonable care when lifting, carrying and moving items, and request assistance or lifting equipment whenever necessary.

Maintain good housekeeping in vehicles, storage areas and work sites to reduce slips, trips and falls.

Report all accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions to their supervisor without delay.

Cooperate fully with management in the implementation and improvement of health and safety measures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We undertake risk assessments for our typical removal and storage activities, including survey visits, packing, loading, transportation, unloading and unpacking. Site-specific assessments are conducted where necessary, particularly for challenging access, heavy items, limited parking or shared spaces.

Safe systems of work and method statements are developed for higher-risk tasks such as moving bulky objects, operating handling equipment, working near traffic or negotiating stairs and tight access. These procedures are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in operations or identified improvements.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling risks are a key focus for our business. We minimise these risks by:

Providing manual handling training to all staff carrying out removal work.

Planning jobs to reduce unnecessary lifting and carrying distances.

Using appropriate handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, straps and ramps.

Encouraging team lifting procedures for heavy, large or awkward items.

Evaluating items for weight, stability and access prior to movement.

All equipment used in removal and storage operations is maintained in good working order and inspected at appropriate intervals. Faulty or damaged equipment is taken out of service until repaired or replaced.

Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety

Goldersgreen Removals recognises the importance of safe driving and vehicle operation. Our approach includes:

Ensuring drivers are competent, appropriately licensed and familiar with the vehicles they operate.

Conducting regular checks and maintenance of removal vehicles, including brakes, tyres, lights, securing points and tail lifts where fitted.

Ensuring loads are distributed safely, properly secured and within permitted weight limits.

Planning routes and schedules to reduce driving risks so far as reasonably practicable.

Promoting safe driving behaviour and adherence to road traffic laws at all times.

Customer and Public Safety

We aim to carry out removal work in a way that protects our customers, neighbours and the general public. This includes:

Maintaining clear walkways and access routes during moves.

Using warning signs or barriers where appropriate to separate work areas.

Taking care when opening vehicle doors and tailgates in public spaces.

Positioning vehicles to minimise obstruction and reduce the risk of accidents.

Handling customers possessions with care to avoid damage and prevent hazards.

Training, Information and Communication

All staff receive appropriate induction training covering company health and safety policies, emergency procedures and safe working methods. Job-specific training is provided for removal teams, drivers, supervisors and office-based staff as relevant to their roles.

We ensure that employees are kept informed about changes to procedures, new equipment, or updated legal or industry requirements. Regular communication and briefings help reinforce safe practices and encourage feedback from staff.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

Goldersgreen Removals maintains procedures for reporting and recording accidents, incidents and near misses. Information from these reports is reviewed to identify trends and areas for improvement. Where required, incidents are notified to the appropriate authorities.

Emergency arrangements are in place for fire, serious injury, vehicle incidents and other foreseeable events. Staff are briefed on relevant procedures, including evacuation routes where applicable and how to summon assistance.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals or following significant changes in operations, legislation or organisational structure. We use audits, inspections, employee feedback and incident analysis to measure performance and identify improvements.

Goldersgreen Removals is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety throughout all aspects of our removal, transport and storage services, ensuring that our workforce and customers benefit from a well-managed and responsible approach to risk.