Rotherhithe Removals Health and Safety Policy

Rotherhithe Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all removal and relocation services we provide, including packing, loading, transport, unloading and storage activities.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health, and to promote a strong culture of safety throughout our operations. We recognise that professional removals involve manual handling, the use of vehicles and equipment, and work in varied environments, all of which must be carefully managed to reduce risk.

Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver our removal services. We comply with relevant health and safety legislation, industry standards and recognised best practice, and we expect all employees to take personal responsibility for working safely and looking out for others.

Responsibilities and Management

The management team at Rotherhithe Removals has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented, maintained and regularly reviewed. Managers are responsible for:

Ensuring suitable risk assessments are carried out for all key activities and that control measures are put in place and followed.

Providing appropriate training, instruction and supervision so that staff are competent to carry out their duties safely.

Making sure that vehicles, lifting equipment, tools and protective equipment are properly maintained and fit for purpose.

Investigating incidents and near misses to identify root causes and implement improvements.

Employees and contractors must cooperate with all health and safety requirements, follow safe working procedures, use equipment correctly, and immediately report hazards, defects or unsafe conditions.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedures

Rotherhithe Removals conducts risk assessments for all typical removal tasks, including site access, stairways, narrow entrances, heavy or fragile items, and any additional hazards associated with the property or location.

Before each removal, our team assesses the working environment, including parking, loading areas, internal routes, floor conditions, and the presence of other contractors, residents or members of the public. Where risks are identified, appropriate control measures are agreed and communicated to the team before work starts.

Safe systems of work and method statements are used to guide key activities such as manual handling, lifting large or awkward items, using trolleys or lifting aids, loading vehicles, and securing loads for transit.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removals, and we take particular care to reduce the risk of strain and injury.

All removal staff receive training in safe lifting techniques, team lifts for heavy or bulky items, and the correct use of handling aids such as dollies, sack trucks and straps.

We plan jobs to minimise unnecessary carrying distances and to make the best use of equipment and vehicle access. Any item that is too heavy or unsafe to move with the available team and equipment will not be moved until arrangements are reviewed and made safe.

All equipment is regularly checked and maintained. Defective or damaged equipment is taken out of service immediately.

Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety

Our drivers and removal teams are responsible for the safe use of company vehicles and for protecting other road users and pedestrians.

We ensure that drivers are properly licensed and competent, and that vehicles are maintained, inspected and loaded within their safe working limits.

Loads are distributed and secured to prevent shifting during transport. Access routes, parking and unloading points are chosen to minimise risk and disruption to neighbours and the general public, as far as is reasonably practicable.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our duty to protect customers, their property and members of the public during removal work.

Where possible, we agree clear working areas, access points and timing with customers before work begins. We may restrict access to certain areas while heavy lifting or loading is in progress to prevent accidents.

Our staff are trained to work carefully around customers belongings, fixtures and fittings, and to identify and communicate any hazards such as loose flooring, low ceilings or fragile surfaces.

Training, Information and Supervision

Rotherhithe Removals provides initial and ongoing training on health and safety topics relevant to our work, including manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, personal protective equipment and incident reporting.

New staff are given an induction that covers our health and safety policy, emergency arrangements, and the specific procedures for their role. Supervisors monitor working practices and provide guidance and feedback to maintain safe standards.

Accident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to a manager or supervisor.

Incidents are recorded and investigated so that we can learn from them and take action to prevent recurrence. Where necessary, we will review risk assessments, working methods, training and equipment in light of any findings.

Emergency Procedures

Our teams are briefed on emergency arrangements relevant to each site, including fire exits, assembly points and procedures for contacting the emergency services.

During removals, staff must keep escape routes clear, avoid blocking exits with furniture or equipment, and follow any specific site rules provided by the customer or building management.

Review of this Policy

This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary, for example following changes in legislation, guidance, our activities or the results of incident investigations.

Rotherhithe Removals is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance and to working collaboratively with employees, customers and other stakeholders to achieve safe and efficient removal services every time.