Health and Safety Policy for House Removals
This Health and Safety policy sets out how we manage and control risks associated with house removals. Our goal is to protect our employees, customers, members of the public, contractors, and anyone else affected by our activities within our service area. We are committed to continuous improvement and to complying with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
We recognise that house removals involve manual handling, vehicle operations, working in and around private properties, and the use of specialist equipment. We are committed to planning every move carefully, supervising tasks appropriately, and providing the resources needed to carry out work safely and efficiently.
Management is responsible for ensuring that health and safety is integral to all operations, from quotation and planning through to completion of the removal. All workers are required to follow this policy, cooperate with safety procedures, and raise any concerns immediately.
Roles and Responsibilities
Company management is responsible for setting safety standards, reviewing this policy regularly, and ensuring that staff have suitable training, equipment, and information. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing safe systems of work on each job, conducting site checks, and stopping work if unsafe conditions arise.
Removal operatives are responsible for following safe working procedures, using equipment correctly, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, and reporting hazards, near misses, and incidents. Customers are encouraged to inform us of any access issues, structural concerns, or special risks at their property before work begins.
Risk Assessment and Planning
Before each removal, we carry out a risk assessment appropriate to the size and complexity of the job. This includes consideration of access routes, staircases, lifts, parking and loading zones, road conditions in the local area, fragile or high value items, and any known hazards inside or outside the property.
Risk assessments are used to determine staffing levels, equipment requirements, and any specific control measures such as traffic management, restricted access areas, or additional protective materials. Where conditions change on the day, dynamic risk assessments are completed to ensure that work continues safely.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key risk in the removals industry. We train all staff in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of handling aids such as sack trucks, dollies, furniture sliders, and lifting straps. No employee is required to lift or carry anything they believe to be unsafe for them.
Heavy or awkward items are assessed individually, and where necessary we use additional manpower, lifting equipment, or specialist services. Staff are instructed to avoid overreaching, twisting while carrying loads, or carrying items on stairs without appropriate communication and planning with colleagues.
Use of Equipment and Vehicles
All vehicles used for removals are maintained, inspected, and cleaned regularly. Drivers must hold appropriate licences and follow all road traffic laws and company driving standards. Loads are secured inside vehicles to prevent shifting during transit, and weight limits are never exceeded.
Any removal equipment, including ramps, trolleys, straps, and protective covers, is checked before use. Faulty or damaged items must be reported immediately and taken out of service. Only trained personnel are permitted to operate specialist equipment such as hoists or platform lifts where these are used.
Safe Working at Customer Properties
Our teams work respectfully and safely within customer homes and local neighbourhoods. We take steps to protect floors, walls, doors, and fixtures and fittings where appropriate. Trip hazards such as trailing straps, packing materials, and tools are minimised and kept clear of access routes.
Where necessary, we agree safe parking and loading arrangements with the customer, bearing in mind local road layouts and access for neighbours and emergency services. We maintain good housekeeping at all times and ensure that exits and pathways remain unobstructed.
Personal Protective Equipment
Suitable personal protective equipment is provided where required, which may include safety footwear, gloves, high visibility clothing, and back support aids. Staff are responsible for using and looking after the protective equipment issued to them, and for reporting any loss or damage.
The need for additional protective equipment is reviewed as part of the risk assessment for each job, particularly where there is a risk from sharp objects, broken glass, or rough external ground surfaces.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive induction training that covers our health and safety procedures, emergency arrangements, manual handling guidance, and safe driving expectations. Further role specific training is provided for team leaders, drivers, and staff who operate any specialist equipment.
We provide ongoing refresher training and toolbox talks, particularly where new risks or procedures are identified across our service area. Supervisors monitor working practices on site to ensure that training is applied consistently.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and cases of property damage are recorded and investigated so that we can identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Staff are encouraged to report minor incidents and near misses, as these often provide early warning of potential hazards.
Where required by law, certain incidents will be reported to the appropriate enforcing authorities. We use findings from investigations to update risk assessments, training materials, and work procedures.
Emergency Procedures
Emergency arrangements are discussed at the start of each job and adjusted where necessary to reflect the property layout and local conditions. This includes safe evacuation routes, the location of first aid supplies, and contact arrangements for emergency services.
At least one member of the team will be trained in basic first aid. Work will be stopped immediately if a serious safety concern is identified, and operations will only resume once suitable control measures are in place.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage feedback on how we can improve our procedures. Lessons learned from jobs carried out across our service area are shared within the company so that best practice is applied consistently.
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are changes in legislation, guidance, or the nature of our services. A copy of the current policy is available to all employees and to customers on request.
