Health and Safety Policy for Greenwich Removals

Greenwich Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public affected by our domestic and commercial removals activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with packing, loading, transport, unloading, and storage of goods.

Our goal is to prevent injury, ill health, and property damage through effective planning, training, supervision, and continuous improvement in all aspects of our removals operations.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Greenwich Removals rests with the company management. They are responsible for ensuring that appropriate resources, systems, and competent personnel are in place to implement this policy.

Managers and supervisors must:

Ensure that risk assessments are carried out for all relevant activities, including manual handling, vehicle operations, and work at customer premises.

Provide clear instructions, information, and training to employees and contractors so that tasks are performed safely.

Monitor working practices on site and during transport, addressing unsafe behaviour or conditions immediately.

Employees and contractors 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 instructions, procedures, and training provided by Greenwich Removals.

Use equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects or concerns promptly.

Cooperate with management to enable compliance with this policy and applicable health and safety legislation.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Greenwich Removals will identify, assess, and control risks associated with our removal and storage services. We carry out risk assessments for typical tasks such as lifting and carrying furniture, using moving equipment, operating vehicles, working in confined or restricted spaces, and accessing multi-storey buildings.

Findings from risk assessments are used to create safe systems of work that are communicated to all relevant staff. These systems cover planning of moves, allocation of personnel, correct use of equipment, and safe loading and unloading methods.

Risk assessments are reviewed regularly, and whenever there are significant changes in our work practices, new equipment, or incidents that indicate a need for improvement.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removals activity and presents one of the main health and safety risks. Greenwich Removals is committed to reducing manual handling risks by:

Assessing loads and environments before moving items and planning the safest method of movement.

Using appropriate handling aids where reasonably practicable, such as sack trucks, trolleys, dollies, and lifting straps.

Ensuring that employees receive manual handling training that focuses on posture, team lifting, and recognition of personal limits.

We will ensure that all equipment used in our operations is suitable for the task, properly maintained, and inspected at appropriate intervals. Faulty equipment must be withdrawn from use immediately and reported to a manager or supervisor.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our removals service and must be operated safely at all times. Greenwich Removals will:

Maintain all vehicles in a roadworthy condition with regular servicing, inspections, and necessary repairs.

Ensure that drivers are competent, hold valid licences for the vehicles they operate, and follow company driving standards.

Require safe loading and securing of goods to prevent movement during transit and reduce the risk of accidents or damage.

Promote defensive driving techniques, compliance with speed limits, and adherence to regulations relating to driving hours and breaks where applicable.

Working at Customer Premises

Our teams frequently work in and around homes, offices, and commercial properties. We will:

Assess access routes, stairways, lifts, and parking arrangements before or on arrival at each location.

Take reasonable steps to prevent trips, slips, and falls by keeping walkways clear and using warning signs where necessary.

Protect customer property and utilities such as floors, walls, ceilings, and doorways using suitable coverings and equipment.

Work considerately to minimise disruption, noise, and risks to customers, visitors, and members of the public.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Greenwich Removals provides health and safety training appropriate to each role, including induction training for new starters and refresher training for existing staff. Topics include manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, working at height where relevant, and incident reporting.

Clear information on hazards and control measures is provided through instructions, toolbox talks, and supervision on site. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that safety procedures are followed and that new or inexperienced workers are supported appropriately.

Accident, Incident, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported as soon as possible to a manager or supervisor. Greenwich Removals maintains records of these events and investigates their causes so that corrective and preventive measures can be implemented.

Where required by law, certain incidents will be reported to the relevant enforcing authorities. Lessons learned from investigations are communicated to staff and incorporated into updated procedures, training, and risk assessments.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Greenwich Removals recognises that effective health and safety management relies on the involvement and feedback of our workforce. We encourage employees and contractors to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and participate in the development of safe working practices.

Management will review this policy and our wider health and safety arrangements at regular intervals and following significant changes to operations or legislation. The review will consider performance, incident data, customer feedback, and employee input.

This policy reflects the ongoing commitment of Greenwich Removals to protect the health, safety, and welfare of everyone affected by our removal and storage services.