Health and Safety Policy for Queen's Park Removal Company

Queen's Park Removal Company is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, clients, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our principles, responsibilities, and working practices to prevent injury, protect property, and ensure professional standards across all moves.

Policy Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent accidents, work-related ill health, and damage to property, while delivering efficient and reliable removal services. We will identify and control risks associated with lifting and carrying, driving, loading, unloading, and working in clients' homes, offices, and storage locations.

We recognise our duty to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and applicable regulations. We will review and update this policy periodically to reflect changes in law, best practice, and the nature of our operations and service area.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and for ensuring adequate resources are available for its effective delivery. This includes providing suitable vehicles, equipment, training, supervision, and protective measures necessary for safe removals.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for:

Ensuring that risk assessments are completed and reviewed for all key activities, including manual handling, use of vehicles, and work on client premises.

Communicating safe working procedures to staff and monitoring compliance.

Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses, and implementing corrective actions.

Promoting a positive safety culture in which all staff feel able to raise concerns and suggest improvements.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for the safety of others affected by their actions. Every member of the team is expected to:

Follow company safety procedures and instructions at all times.

Use vehicles, lifting equipment, protective clothing, and tools correctly and safely.

Report hazards, defects, near misses, and incidents to management without delay.

Participate in training and refresher courses as required.

Refrain from any behaviour, including the use of drugs or alcohol, that could compromise safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We carry out risk assessments for our activities and put in place appropriate control measures. Significant risks in removal work include manual handling, slips, trips and falls, vehicle movements, and working in unfamiliar properties. To manage these risks, we will:

Assess access routes, stairways, lifts, and loading areas in advance wherever possible.

Plan moves to minimise the need for hazardous lifting and carrying.

Use suitable equipment, such as sack trucks, dollies, lifting straps, ramps, and protective coverings.

Ensure vehicles are loaded, secured, and unloaded in a safe and controlled manner.

Take particular care with heavy, bulky, fragile, or high-value items, applying appropriate protective and lifting techniques.

Where necessary, we will coordinate with clients to discuss any known hazards at the property, such as restricted access, low ceilings, uneven surfaces, or shared access routes.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key aspect of our work. To prevent injury from lifting and carrying, we will:

Provide training on correct lifting techniques, team lifting, and the safe use of moving equipment.

Encourage staff to assess the weight, shape, and stability of items before moving them.

Use mechanical aids and team lifting for heavy or awkward items rather than individual lifting.

Inspect and maintain moving equipment to ensure it remains safe and fit for use.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to safe and effective removal services. We are committed to:

Maintaining all vehicles in roadworthy condition, with regular safety checks and servicing.

Ensuring drivers are appropriately licensed, competent, and familiar with the routes and service areas in which they operate.

Planning journeys to allow sufficient time, avoiding unnecessary pressure on drivers.

Loading vehicles safely and securely to prevent shifting loads and to maintain vehicle stability.

Requiring drivers and passengers to use seat belts and observe all traffic laws.

Clients, Visitors, and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect clients, visitors, and members of the public during removal activities. To achieve this, we will:

Organise work areas to minimise obstruction and trip hazards.

Clearly communicate with clients about the timing and nature of the work.

Use warning signs or verbal warnings where work may affect shared access areas, pavements, or parking spaces.

Avoid blocking emergency exits, access for residents, or public pathways wherever reasonably practicable.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide employees with appropriate instruction, information, and supervision to carry out their tasks safely and to a professional standard. This includes induction training, role-specific training for removal work, refresher training when procedures change, and toolbox talks focused on key risks and lessons from recent incidents.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and incidents of damage must be reported to management so that they can be recorded, investigated, and used to improve our practices. We maintain records of accidents and incidents in accordance with legal requirements and internal standards.

Employees are trained in basic emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, road traffic collisions, or property damage. First aid supplies are provided in vehicles and at our base, and staff are made aware of how to access them.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

We monitor our health and safety performance through regular inspections, audits, feedback from staff and clients, and analysis of incident reports. Findings are used to improve our procedures, training, and control measures.

This policy is reviewed at regular intervals, and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, equipment, or legal requirements. Updated versions will be communicated to all employees and made available to clients on request.

By working together and following this Health and Safety Policy, Queen's Park Removal Company aims to provide dependable, efficient, and safe removal services throughout our operating area while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved.