Removals Scatford Health and Safety Policy

Removals Scatford is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risk in all aspects of our removal and relocation services.

Our goal is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures. We recognise that high standards of health and safety are fundamental to delivering a professional and reliable removals service.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

The primary objectives of this policy are to:

Promote a culture in which health and safety are integral to every removal, delivery, and collection activity. Comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practices. Continually improve our health and safety performance through regular review and training. Ensure that all staff understand their responsibilities and are competent to carry out their work safely.

Management Responsibilities

The management team at Removals Scatford is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that appropriate resources are made available. This includes providing safe systems of work, suitable equipment, and appropriate training for all employees.

Management will:

Carry out regular risk assessments for removal operations, including packing, loading, unloading, and transportation. Maintain safe working procedures for manual handling, vehicle movements, working at height, and other relevant tasks. Ensure that all vehicles, lifting equipment, and tools are properly maintained and suitable for their intended use. Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses to identify causes and prevent recurrence. Review this policy periodically to ensure it remains effective and up to date.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff are expected to cooperate with management in implementing this policy and following agreed safe systems of work.

Employees must:

Follow all safety instructions, training, and guidance provided by Removals Scatford. Use equipment, vehicles, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Avoid taking shortcuts that could compromise safety during packing, carrying, lifting, or driving. Report accidents, near misses, or hazardous situations to their supervisor without delay. Refrain from working while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or when unfit to perform their duties safely.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before each removal or delivery, our team considers the specific risks associated with the property, access routes, items being moved, and any particular customer requirements. Where necessary, a more detailed risk assessment will be carried out, especially for complex moves or where there are unusual hazards.

Control measures may include planning safe access routes, ensuring adequate lighting, using appropriate lifting aids, and confirming that floors and pathways are clear of obstacles. Staff are instructed to stop work if conditions become unsafe and to seek guidance from management.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is central to removal work, and poor technique can lead to serious injury. Removals Scatford provides training on safe lifting practices, including how to assess loads, work in teams, and use mechanical aids where appropriate.

Employees are required to:

Assess the weight and stability of items before attempting to move them. Split loads where possible and seek assistance with heavy, bulky, or awkward objects. Maintain good posture, use leg strength, and avoid twisting while lifting and carrying. Use moving equipment such as trolleys, dollies, and straps wherever practical.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are maintained to high standards to help ensure safe transport of goods and safe working conditions for drivers and crew. Regular inspections and servicing are carried out in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.

Drivers must:

Hold the appropriate licence and be medically fit to drive. Conduct pre-use checks on vehicles and report defects immediately. Secure loads properly to reduce the risk of movement or damage in transit. Follow road traffic laws, drive considerately, and allow sufficient time for journeys to avoid rushing.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers and the public while working at homes, offices, and other premises. Our teams aim to minimise disruption and ensure that removal activities are carried out with due care and attention.

Measures may include using warning signs or verbal warnings where access routes are temporarily restricted, managing cables and equipment to prevent trips, and taking care when moving items through shared spaces or public areas. We take particular care in properties with children, pets, or vulnerable individuals, ensuring that hazards are controlled and access is managed.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Removals Scatford provides ongoing training to ensure that staff remain competent and confident in carrying out their roles safely. This includes induction training for new employees and refresher training on key topics such as manual handling, vehicle safety, and the correct use of equipment.

Supervisors are responsible for monitoring work on site, addressing unsafe behaviour, and supporting team members in applying safe systems of work. Information about specific risks and any customer requirements is communicated clearly before and during each job.

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

We monitor our health and safety performance through regular reviews, inspections, and feedback from employees and customers. Where improvements are identified, we update our procedures, training, and control measures accordingly.

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, equipment, or legal requirements. All updates are communicated to staff so that the policy remains a practical, working document for everyday removal activities.

By working together to uphold these standards, Removals Scatford aims to provide a safe, efficient, and professional removals service for every customer.