Health and Safety Policy for Clapham Junction Removals

Clapham Junction Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and relocation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out how we manage and control risks associated with household and commercial moves, packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and storage operations.

Policy Aims and Scope

This policy applies to all staff, from management to operational teams, as well as any subcontractors working on our behalf. It covers every stage of our removal services, including site visits, packing and unpacking, manual handling, driving, and work at customer premises or storage locations.

Our aims are to prevent injury and ill health, comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry standards, and promote a positive safety culture across the company and our service area.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and reviewing its effectiveness. Management will ensure that:

Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for all key tasks and locations, and that control measures are clearly communicated and maintained.

Employees receive appropriate health and safety information, instruction, supervision, and training for their roles, including induction and refresher training.

Accidents, incidents, near misses, and hazards are reported, recorded, and investigated, and that corrective actions are taken promptly.

Vehicles, lifting equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment are properly selected, maintained, and inspected.

Safe systems of work are developed, documented where necessary, and followed during all removal operations.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees share responsibility for maintaining safe working practices during removals and related services. Employees must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work, including customers and colleagues.

Follow all safety procedures, training, and instructions given by the company, and use equipment only as intended.

Use personal protective equipment correctly and report any damage or defects immediately.

Report accidents, incidents, near misses, unsafe conditions, and health concerns to their supervisor or manager without delay.

Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and any associated safety measures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We assess risks associated with our removal activities to identify hazards and implement controls. This includes the assessment of manual handling tasks, access to properties, stairways and lifts, fragile or heavy items, vehicle loading, traffic risks, and customer-specific conditions.

Where appropriate, site assessments are carried out in advance of the move to identify issues such as restricted access, parking needs, uneven surfaces, or special handling requirements. Control measures may include the use of lifting aids, team lifts, route planning, parking arrangements, and time allowances.

Safe working practices are established for routine tasks, and staff are briefed on how to carry them out safely. These practices are reviewed and updated as needed to reflect changes in operations or identified risks.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our work and is managed carefully to reduce the risk of injury. We provide training in safe lifting techniques, team handling, and the correct use of equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, ramps, and straps.

Loads are assessed before lifting, and heavy or awkward items are handled by sufficient personnel or with mechanical assistance. Employees are instructed not to exceed safe lifting limits and to seek support when required.

All handling equipment and tools are inspected regularly to ensure they are fit for purpose. Defective equipment is removed from service until repaired or replaced.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

We maintain our vehicles to a high standard to support safe transportation of goods and the safety of drivers, passengers, and other road users. Regular checks and servicing are carried out, and pre-use inspections are performed by drivers.

Drivers are required to hold the appropriate licences and to comply with road traffic laws, speed limits, and parking regulations. Routes are planned to minimise risk, taking into account access to properties, loading and unloading zones, and local traffic conditions.

Loads are securely stowed and restrained to prevent movement during transit, and doors and ramps are used safely and correctly at all times.

Customer and Public Safety

Our teams take care to protect customers and members of the public during all moves. This includes maintaining tidy work areas, managing trip hazards, and clearly identifying any temporary obstructions or risks.

Where necessary, we may restrict access to certain areas while loading or unloading is in progress, and we will communicate clearly with customers about any safety precautions they should observe.

We handle customer property with care, using protective covers, blankets, and other materials to help prevent damage. Particular attention is given to fragile, high-value, or bulky items.

Training, Communication, and Consultation

We provide ongoing health and safety training relevant to removal operations, including manual handling, equipment use, emergency procedures, and safe driving. New staff receive a safety induction before starting operational duties.

Health and safety information is communicated clearly to staff, and we encourage feedback and suggestions for improving safety. Employees are consulted on relevant changes to working practices or equipment that may affect their health and safety.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported so that they can be investigated and recorded. Lessons learned are used to improve our procedures and prevent recurrence.

Management reviews safety performance regularly and updates this policy when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, or company operations. Our goal is to continuously improve our health and safety management and maintain high standards across all removal services.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever significant changes occur in our activities or legal requirements. The latest version is made available to employees and can be provided to customers on request.

By following this policy, Clapham Junction Removals aims to ensure that every move is carried out as safely and efficiently as possible, protecting our staff, our customers, and the wider community.