Health and Safety Policy for Colliers Wood Removals

Colliers Wood Removals is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to identifying, managing and reducing risks associated with household and commercial removals, including packing, loading, transport and unloading of goods.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to operate all removal activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm. We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. Management will provide the leadership, resources and supervision necessary to maintain safe systems of work and a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility.

This policy applies to all employees of Colliers Wood Removals and to any contractors engaged to work on our behalf. All staff are required to follow the procedures set out in this policy and in associated risk assessments and method statements.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this health and safety policy. This includes:

Ensuring that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are undertaken for all key tasks, including manual handling, driving, use of equipment and work at height. Providing appropriate training, information and instruction so that employees can perform their duties safely and competently. Supplying and maintaining any equipment required for safe work, including vehicles, lifting aids and personal protective equipment. Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses and taking corrective action to prevent recurrence. Reviewing this policy regularly to ensure it remains effective and up to date.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee of Colliers Wood Removals has a duty to protect their own health and safety and that of those who may be affected by their actions. All staff must:

Follow instructions, procedures and training provided by the company. Use vehicles, tools, lifting equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately. Avoid taking shortcuts that could compromise safety or damage property. Report all accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards to their supervisor as soon as possible. Cooperate fully with any health and safety investigations or audits.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments covering typical removal activities, including packing, loading, unloading, handling heavy or awkward items, driving and working in and around clients’ homes and business premises. These assessments identify hazards, evaluate risks and set out control measures to reduce those risks to the lowest reasonably practicable level.

Safe systems of work may include the use of lifting aids, team lifting, route planning, vehicle checks, restricted access zones, and procedures for working on stairs, in narrow hallways and in shared or public spaces. Staff are briefed on the relevant controls before each job and are expected to raise any concerns if a task cannot be completed safely.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our work. We place particular emphasis on training staff in safe lifting techniques, team coordination and the correct use of equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, moving straps and furniture blankets.

Heavy or bulky items should not be lifted by a single person unless assessed as safe to do so. Where necessary, the number of staff assigned to a job will be increased or specialist equipment will be used. Equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if damaged or unsafe.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our drivers and crew members must comply with all road traffic laws and company driving policies. This includes carrying out pre-use vehicle checks, securing loads correctly, respecting speed limits and driving to the conditions.

Vehicles are serviced and maintained in line with manufacturer guidance. Loads are distributed evenly and secured using appropriate restraints to prevent movement in transit. Drivers must not operate vehicles when tired, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or otherwise unfit to drive.

Client Premises and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to work safely in and around clients’ homes and workplaces, and in public areas. Whenever practicable, clear routes will be established for moving items, and access points kept free from trip hazards such as packaging, tools and loose materials.

Where work may affect members of the public or other site users, our teams will adopt additional control measures, such as signage, temporary barriers or controlled access. Extra care is taken around children, pets and vulnerable persons. We will always seek to minimise disruption, noise and obstruction in shared spaces.

Training, Information and Supervision

All new employees receive an induction that covers our health and safety policy, safe working procedures and emergency arrangements. Ongoing training is provided in areas such as manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment and incident reporting.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring standards on site, providing guidance and ensuring that procedures are followed. Refresher training is arranged when required, or following any significant change in working methods or equipment.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported promptly. Records are kept and reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Our teams are briefed on emergency procedures relevant to the environments in which they work, including fire safety, first aid arrangements and procedures for dealing with road traffic incidents. Where working at client sites, local emergency instructions will be followed alongside our own procedures.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

Colliers Wood Removals is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. This policy is reviewed at regular intervals, and sooner if there are significant changes to our operations, legislation or best practice. Feedback from employees, clients and contractors is welcomed and will be considered as part of the review process.

By working together, following our procedures and maintaining clear communication, we aim to ensure that every removal is carried out safely, efficiently and with respect for the wellbeing of everyone involved.