Islington Removals Health and Safety Policy

Islington Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, clients, contractors and members of the public affected by our removal services. We recognise that effective health and safety management is an integral part of delivering reliable and professional removals, whether for homes, offices or commercial premises.

This Health and Safety Policy sets out our aims, responsibilities and arrangements for managing risks associated with lifting, loading, transport, storage and on-site activities.

Policy Aims

Our aims are to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our work. We will, so far as is reasonably practicable:

Identify and control hazards related to removal and relocation activities, including manual handling, vehicle operations and use of equipment. Provide and maintain safe systems of work, safe handling and transportation methods, and safe workplaces at customers premises and any storage locations we use. Ensure all vehicles, tools and equipment used in our removal services are suitable, well maintained and operated safely. Provide information, instruction, training and supervision so that employees are competent to perform their tasks safely. Encourage a positive safety culture where everyone takes responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. Monitor and review our health and safety performance on a regular basis to drive continual improvement.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Islington Removals has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

Management will:

Lead by example and promote safe working practices in all aspects of the removal process. Conduct and regularly review suitable and sufficient risk assessments for our activities and work environments. Provide appropriate resources for health and safety, including training, equipment, protective clothing and time for safety activities. Ensure that employees understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to health and safety. Investigate accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions, implementing corrective actions to reduce the risk of recurrence. Regularly review this policy to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our operations and service area.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, including temporary staff and contracted crews, share responsibility for maintaining high standards of health and safety in the workplace and at customer sites.

Employees must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Follow all safety procedures, training and instructions provided by Islington Removals. Use vehicles, tools, lifting equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Cooperate with management on all health and safety matters, including attending training and toolbox talks. Report accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions as soon as possible. Refrain from any behaviour that could compromise safety, including horseplay or the misuse of equipment.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Islington Removals carries out risk assessments for typical removal activities and for any unusual or higher risk tasks. These assessments are used to establish safe working procedures that must be followed by all staff.

Key risk areas include manual handling of furniture and boxes, loading and unloading vehicles, moving items through confined spaces and stairwells, working in shared access areas, and driving and parking in busy streets. Control measures may include team lifting, use of trolleys, ramps and lifting aids, route planning, securing loads, and robust communication within the team and with customers.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of strain and injury.

We will:

Provide manual handling training tailored to removal activities, including safe lifting techniques and use of handling aids. Plan lifts in advance and, where necessary, carry out on-site assessments before moving large, heavy or awkward items. Use appropriate handling equipment such as dollies, barrows, straps and hoists where reasonable. Ensure employees do not attempt to lift or move loads beyond their capability and that team lifting methods are used whenever required.

Vehicles and Driving Safety

Islington Removals will ensure that vehicles used for removal services are roadworthy, regularly inspected and suitable for the loads they carry.

Drivers and crew members must comply with road traffic laws and company driving procedures, including safe loading and unloading, securing loads, careful manoeuvring in residential and commercial areas, and consideration for pedestrians and other road users. Fatigue, distraction and speeding are not tolerated, and any concerns about driving fitness must be reported immediately.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams often work in and around occupied properties, shared buildings and public spaces. Protecting customers, visitors and the public is essential.

We will:

Plan access routes and work areas to minimise obstruction and hazards. Use warning signs or verbal communication to make people aware of moving loads or temporary restrictions. Take care to protect property, fixtures and fittings, including the use of coverings and corner protectors where appropriate. Keep work areas as tidy as reasonably practicable, with tools and materials stored safely when not in use.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their roles, including manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, incident reporting and emergency procedures.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for overseeing work on site, ensuring that agreed safe systems of work are followed and that less experienced staff are supported and guided.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses and hazardous situations must be reported promptly so that they can be recorded, investigated and used to improve our safety performance.

Emergency procedures, including responses to injury, fire, hazardous conditions and vehicle incidents, are communicated to staff as part of their training. Where appropriate, we will coordinate with customers and building managers to ensure that our work aligns with any site-specific rules or emergency arrangements.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, working practices, equipment, or the nature and location of our services. Islington Removals is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety, and we welcome feedback from employees and customers to help enhance our standards.