Health and Safety policy
Movers Sutton Health and Safety Policy
Movers Sutton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, subcontractors, customers and members of the public affected by our removal and relocation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our aims, responsibilities and working practices to prevent injury, ill health and property damage during all moving and handling operations.
Policy Aims and Commitment
Our objective is to conduct all removals, packing, loading, transport and unloading activities in a way that minimises risk and complies with all applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice. We aim to continuously improve our health and safety performance through regular review, training and monitoring.
Senior management at Movers Sutton accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the business and will provide appropriate resources, information, instruction and supervision to implement this policy effectively.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for ensuring that health and safety considerations are integrated into planning and delivering every removal job. This includes assessing risks, providing suitable equipment, maintaining vehicles, and ensuring that employees are competent to perform their tasks safely.
Managers and supervisors must lead by example, promote a positive safety culture and ensure that staff follow safe systems of work. They must investigate incidents and near misses, identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Movers Sutton share responsibility for looking after their own health and safety and that of colleagues, customers and the public. Staff must cooperate with management in implementing this policy and comply with all safety procedures, training and instructions.
Employees must use equipment correctly, report hazards, defects, accidents or near misses promptly, and refrain from any unsafe behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk. No employee should undertake a task for which they have not been trained or which they believe to be unsafe without first seeking guidance from a supervisor.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before starting any removal, an appropriate risk assessment will be carried out to identify potential hazards such as manual handling risks, trip hazards, traffic risks, working at height and environmental conditions. Control measures will be put in place to eliminate or reduce risks to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work and method statements will be developed for typical removal activities including dismantling and assembling furniture, moving heavy or bulky items, operating lifting equipment and working in confined or restricted spaces. Staff must follow these procedures at all times.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key element of removal work and is a significant source of potential injury. Movers Sutton is committed to reducing manual handling risks wherever reasonably practicable.
We will provide appropriate handling equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps and ramps to assist with the movement of heavy or awkward items. Staff will receive training on safe lifting techniques, team lifting, load assessment and the proper use of handling aids. Loads will always be assessed for weight, stability and route safety before being moved.
Vehicles and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular inspections and servicing. Only authorised, licensed and trained drivers may operate Movers Sutton vehicles.
Drivers must carry out daily vehicle checks, follow road traffic laws, drive considerately, and ensure that loads are properly secured before departure. Fatigue management and safe journey planning are essential, and drivers must not operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that could impair safe driving.
Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment
All equipment and tools used during removal operations will be suitable for their intended purpose and maintained in good working order. Faulty or damaged equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Where necessary, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing will be provided and must be worn as instructed. Staff are responsible for looking after issued equipment and reporting any defects or losses.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Movers Sutton recognises its duty to protect customers, visitors and the public during removal work. We will take reasonable steps to minimise disruption and prevent accidents in and around properties and access routes.
This includes maintaining clear walkways, using warning signs or barriers where appropriate, managing vehicle movements safely, protecting floors and surfaces where required, and monitoring access points so that members of the public are not exposed to moving loads or vehicles.
Training, Information and Supervision
Health and safety training is provided to all employees appropriate to their role. This may include induction training, manual handling training, equipment operation, vehicle safety and emergency procedures. Refresher training will be delivered when necessary or when new equipment or working methods are introduced.
Supervision levels will be appropriate to the complexity and risk level of each job, with more intensive supervision for new employees or higher risk activities. Clear communication will be maintained within crews so that everyone understands their responsibilities and the agreed safe working method.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, unsafe conditions and near misses must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. Accurate records will be kept and used to identify trends and improve safety standards.
Emergency procedures will be in place for incidents such as fire, personal injury, vehicle collisions or hazardous conditions at customer sites. Staff will be briefed on how to raise the alarm, evacuate safely, contact emergency services and use basic first aid where trained and appropriate.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Movers Sutton will regularly monitor its health and safety performance through inspections, audits, incident investigations and feedback from employees and customers. Where deficiencies are identified, corrective and preventive actions will be implemented without delay.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with current legislation and best practice. Updates will be communicated to all employees so that they remain aware of their responsibilities and the standards expected.
By following this policy and working together, Movers Sutton aims to deliver safe, efficient and professional removal services while protecting the wellbeing of our staff, customers and the wider community.
