Health and Safety policy
Greenwich Movers Health And Safety Policy
Greenwich Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, clients, and members of the public affected by our removals and related services. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with our activities, including household moves, commercial relocations, packing, loading, transport, unloading, and storage.
Policy Aims And Objectives
The aim of this Health and Safety policy is to prevent accidents, injuries, ill health, and property damage by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures. Our objectives are to:
Promote a positive health and safety culture at all levels of the business. Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. Provide safe systems of work for moving, handling, packing, transport, and storage operations. Ensure that all staff are properly trained, competent, and supervised for the tasks they perform. Continuously review and improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Greenwich Movers has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy. Management will:
Provide clear leadership on health and safety issues and allocate adequate resources for implementation. Ensure that risk assessments are carried out, recorded where necessary, and kept up to date. Put in place appropriate control measures, safe working procedures, and emergency arrangements. Ensure that employees receive suitable instruction, training, information, and supervision. Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Review this policy regularly and revise it when required by changes in legislation, operations, or identified risks.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Greenwich Movers have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees are expected to:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided. Correctly use equipment, vehicles, and personal protective equipment supplied for their work. Immediately report hazards, defects, unsafe practices, incidents, and near misses to their supervisor. Cooperate fully in accident investigations, safety briefings, and training activities. Refrain from any behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers, or the public.
Risk Assessment And Safe Systems Of Work
We identify and assess risks associated with our removals operations, including manual handling, vehicle movements, use of lifting and access equipment, loading and unloading activities, and work on client premises. Control measures may include:
Planning each job in advance, including vehicle access, parking arrangements, and safe routes for carrying items. Using appropriate handling equipment such as trolleys, dollies, and lifting aids wherever practicable. Implementing safe lifting techniques and team lifting for heavy or awkward items. Ensuring vehicles are loaded securely and within weight limits, and that loads are restrained to prevent movement in transit. Establishing exclusion zones when loading or unloading to keep bystanders and clients at a safe distance. Considering specific risks in different environments, such as stairways, narrow corridors, elevators, and shared access areas.
Manual Handling And Musculoskeletal Health
Manual handling is a central part of removals work. Greenwich Movers takes particular care to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries by:
Providing regular training on safe lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling techniques. Planning the movement of heavy or bulky items to minimise carrying distances and avoid unnecessary lifts. Using mechanical aids and additional staff where loads cannot be handled safely by one person. Encouraging staff to work within their physical capabilities and to speak up if tasks appear unsafe. Monitoring manual handling practices on site and correcting unsafe behaviours promptly.
Vehicles And Driving Safety
Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, and drivers must operate them responsibly at all times. We will:
Carry out regular vehicle checks, servicing, and inspections. Ensure drivers hold appropriate licences and are competent for the vehicles they operate. Provide guidance on safe driving, route planning, loading, parking, and reversing. Require the use of reversing assistants or spotters where visibility is restricted and the risk to pedestrians or property is higher. Promote safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, avoidance of distraction, and compliance with driving time and rest requirements where applicable.
Working At Client Premises
When working at client homes, offices, or other premises, Greenwich Movers will take all reasonably practicable steps to safeguard both our staff and those present on site. This includes:
Carrying out a dynamic on site risk assessment on arrival, taking account of access, parking, surfaces, lighting, and weather. Agreeing safe working areas with the client and keeping walkways clear and free of tripping hazards. Using suitable personal protective equipment when necessary, such as gloves or safety footwear. Taking extra care when working around children, pets, and vulnerable persons, ensuring they are kept away from handling and loading areas. Respecting client property and minimising disruption while maintaining safe standards of work.
Training, Information, And Supervision
Greenwich Movers recognises that effective training, clear information, and appropriate supervision are essential for safe operations. We will:
Provide induction training for all new employees covering general health and safety, company rules, and specific hazards associated with removals work. Deliver task based training on manual handling, packing and wrapping techniques, use of equipment, vehicle safety, and emergency procedures. Refresh training periodically and when work practices, equipment, or regulations change. Ensure that less experienced staff are supervised by competent team leaders or managers until they are fully competent. Communicate safety information through briefings, toolbox talks, and updates as required.
Accidents, Incidents, And Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, and near misses, however minor, must be reported as soon as possible to management. Greenwich Movers will:
Record relevant details of incidents and take appropriate steps to prevent recurrence. Arrange first aid provision suitable for the nature of our work and locations. Provide guidance on emergency arrangements, including fire safety, evacuation routes, and contact procedures when working on client premises. Cooperate with any external emergency services or authorities as required.
Consultation And Continuous Improvement
Greenwich Movers encourages staff to contribute to health and safety improvements by raising concerns, suggesting safer methods of working, and participating in consultation. The company will review this policy regularly, monitor performance, and make improvements where necessary to maintain a high standard of health and safety across all removal and related activities.
