Hackney Removals Health and Safety Policy

Hackney Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, visitors, and customers. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, storage, packing, transportation, and related services. Our aim is to prevent injury, protect health, and promote safe working practices in every aspect of our operations.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Hackney Removals recognises its duty to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and to follow recognised best practice within the removals industry. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to:

Identify and control risks associated with manual handling, driving, loading and unloading, working at height, and the use of equipment.

Provide and maintain safe vehicles, plant, and equipment.

Ensure employees are competent through information, instruction, training, and supervision.

Consult with workers on matters affecting health and safety.

Continually improve our health and safety performance through monitoring and review.

This policy applies to all activities undertaken by Hackney Removals, including work carried out at customers premises, in communal areas, on the road, and at any storage or operational facility.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Hackney Removals holds overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this policy. Management will:

Set clear standards for safe working practices and lead by example.

Ensure suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for all significant hazards.

Allocate adequate resources for health and safety, including appropriate equipment, maintenance, and training.

Ensure incidents, near misses, and accidents are reported, investigated, and acted upon to prevent recurrence.

Review this policy at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes to our operations.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has an important role in maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Follow all safety instructions, training, and company procedures.

Use equipment, tools, and vehicles only as trained and for their intended purpose.

Wear any required personal protective equipment and clothing, and take care of items issued to them.

Report hazards, defects, accidents, near misses, and health concerns promptly to management.

Cooperate with any investigation or safety initiative.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Hackney Removals carries out risk assessments to identify hazards and determine appropriate control measures. Particular attention is given to:

Manual handling of furniture, boxes, appliances, and other heavy or awkward items.

Access routes, stairs, narrow corridors, lifts, and entrances at collection and delivery addresses.

Use of lifting aids, trolleys, ramps, and other handling equipment.

Loading and unloading of vehicles, including securing loads to prevent movement during transit.

Driving and route planning, including parking and safe positioning of vehicles.

Work in shared spaces such as pavements, car parks, and communal areas.

Where necessary, written safe systems of work are created, communicated, and monitored to ensure that tasks are carried out in a safe and consistent manner.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removals work and presents a significant risk of injury if not properly managed. To reduce this risk, Hackney Removals will:

Provide manual handling training for all operational staff, with refreshers as appropriate.

Encourage team lifting, mechanical assistance, and breaking down heavy loads wherever reasonably practicable.

Assess items for weight, size, and stability before moving, and plan the route in advance.

Provide suitable handling equipment such as dollies, sack trucks, furniture sliders, and straps.

Ensure that equipment is regularly inspected and maintained in safe working condition.

Vehicles, Driving, and Road Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our removals service and will be operated with a strong focus on safety. Hackney Removals will:

Ensure vehicles are roadworthy, taxed, insured, and maintained in line with manufacturer and legal requirements.

Carry out regular vehicle checks and address any defects before use.

Require drivers to hold the appropriate licences and to follow all road traffic laws.

Promote safe driving practices, including adherence to speed limits, proper load securing, and avoidance of mobile phone use while driving.

Plan routes and parking as far as reasonably practicable to minimise risk to staff and the public when loading and unloading.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Work at customers homes, offices, and other premises requires careful planning to protect both our teams and others present. We will:

Carry out on-site assessments where needed to understand access, restrictions, and specific risks.

Take reasonable steps to protect floors, walls, and fixtures while maintaining clear, safe access routes.

Place ramps, boards, and equipment thoughtfully to minimise trip hazards.

Manage the movement of items to avoid blocking exits and emergency routes.

Be mindful of neighbours, pedestrians, and other road users when loading or unloading near public areas.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Hackney Removals recognises that effective training and supervision are vital to safe operations. We will:

Provide induction training for new staff covering company rules, hazards, and safe working practices.

Deliver role-specific training for drivers, porters, and supervisors.

Offer refresher training when equipment, procedures, or legal requirements change.

Ensure that less experienced workers are supervised until they are competent to work independently.

Communicate health and safety information clearly and make procedures available to all staff.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken. Hackney Removals will:

Maintain records of accidents and incidents and investigate them to identify root causes.

Implement corrective measures to prevent recurrence where practicable.

Ensure workers are aware of basic emergency procedures, including fire safety, first aid arrangements, and how to summon assistance.

Cooperate with any statutory reporting requirements relating to serious incidents.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

Hackney Removals is committed to continually improving health and safety performance. We will:

Monitor compliance with this policy through supervision and periodic checks.

Seek feedback from employees on safety issues and improvement opportunities.

Update risk assessments and procedures when work practices, equipment, or legislation change.

Review this policy at regular intervals to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our removals operations.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Hackney Removals aims to provide a professional removals service carried out safely and responsibly for everyone involved.