Clerkenwell Removals Health and Safety Policy
Clerkenwell Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and relocation activities. This policy sets out our approach to health and safety in all aspects of our work, from local household moves to larger commercial relocations.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
We recognise that professional removals work carries specific risks, including manual handling, vehicle movements, use of equipment, working in unfamiliar properties and interaction with clients on site. Our aim is to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and minimise disruption by managing these risks in a systematic and responsible manner.
We will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and codes of practice and will continually seek to improve our standards. Health and safety considerations are integrated into planning, supervision and delivery of all removal services.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Clerkenwell Removals has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this policy. Management will:
Ensure that appropriate resources are made available to meet health and safety obligations and to provide suitable vehicles, equipment and protective gear for our teams.
Identify, assess and control significant risks associated with domestic and commercial removals, storage and related services.
Maintain clear procedures for incident reporting, investigation and follow up, with the aim of preventing recurrence.
Set measurable health and safety objectives and review performance on a regular basis.
Lead by example, promoting a positive health and safety culture throughout the business.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Clerkenwell Removals has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of those who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees are expected to:
Follow all health and safety instructions, safe systems of work and risk assessments provided by the company.
Use vehicles, lifting equipment, ramps, trolleys and other tools only as trained and intended, and report any defects or concerns without delay.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment provided for specific tasks, such as safety footwear and gloves.
Report all accidents, near misses, injuries, property damage and unsafe conditions so that appropriate action can be taken.
Refrain from any horseplay, substance misuse or unsafe practices that could place themselves or others at risk.
Training and Competence
Clerkenwell Removals will provide suitable information, instruction and training so that employees can carry out their duties safely and competently. This includes, where relevant:
Induction training covering general health and safety rules, emergency procedures and incident reporting.
Manual handling training for lifting, carrying and team handling of furniture, appliances, crates and boxes.
Safe loading and unloading of vehicles, including use of securing straps and distribution of weight.
Use of mechanical aids such as sack trucks, dollies and lifting equipment where applicable.
Ongoing refresher training and toolbox talks to reinforce safe working practices and update staff on changes in procedures or legislation.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for key aspects of our removals operations, including but not limited to:
Manual handling of heavy or awkward items such as pianos, wardrobes and appliances.
Access routes, stairs, lifts, doorways and loading points at collection and delivery addresses.
Driving and parking of removal vehicles, including loading bays and residential streets.
Working in confined or cluttered spaces, and in multi-occupancy buildings.
Environmental factors such as weather conditions and lighting.
Risk assessments inform our safe working procedures, which are communicated to staff and reviewed periodically or when there are changes in working practices or locations.
Vehicles, Equipment and Maintenance
Our vehicles, lifting aids and other equipment are essential to safe and efficient removals. Clerkenwell Removals will:
Ensure that vehicles are roadworthy, regularly inspected and maintained according to manufacturers' recommendations and legal requirements.
Provide suitable loading ramps, securing straps, blankets and protection materials to reduce the risk of injury and damage.
Remove from service any defective vehicle or equipment until it has been repaired or replaced.
Ensure that only authorised and competent employees operate removal vehicles and any specialised equipment.
Household and Commercial Premises
Our teams often work at client premises, including homes, offices and commercial sites. To reduce risks in these environments we will:
Plan jobs in advance and request relevant information about access, parking, restrictions and special requirements.
Conduct dynamic risk assessments on arrival, identifying hazards such as uneven surfaces, low ceilings, loose carpets and congested areas.
Take steps to protect both our staff and client property, using floor coverings, corner protectors and appropriate handling methods.
Coordinate with site representatives where needed to comply with local safety rules, emergency arrangements and security procedures.
Consultation and Communication
Clerkenwell Removals encourages open communication on health and safety matters. We will:
Consult with employees on changes in procedures, equipment or working methods that may affect their safety.
Encourage staff to raise suggestions or concerns and to participate in improving our safety performance.
Share learning from incidents and near misses so that preventative measures can be implemented.
Emergency Procedures
We maintain procedures for responding to emergencies that may arise during removals operations, including fire, accidents, vehicle incidents and medical emergencies. Employees are briefed on:
Action to take in the event of an emergency at client premises or on the road.
Location and use of first aid supplies in vehicles and at our base.
Reporting requirements following any emergency situation.
Monitoring, Review and Policy Availability
This health and safety policy will be reviewed regularly, and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation or industry best practice. We will monitor our performance using incident statistics, staff feedback, inspections and audits, and we will take corrective action where necessary.
The policy is made available to all employees and can be provided to clients and other interested parties on request. By working together and following this policy, Clerkenwell Removals aims to deliver safe, reliable and professional moving services throughout our service area.
