Health and Safety policy

Finchley Removals Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Finchley Removals manages health, safety and welfare across all moving and relocation activities. Our aim is to provide a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our work.

The company is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and to complying with all relevant health and safety legislation, industry standards and recognised best practice relating to the removals sector.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Finchley Removals rests with senior management, who ensure that adequate resources, training and supervision are provided. Line managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy on a day-to-day basis and for promoting a positive safety culture.

All employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are required to follow company procedures, use equipment properly, report hazards or incidents promptly and cooperate with any measures introduced to protect health and safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Finchley Removals carries out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for all key areas of work, including domestic and commercial moves, packing, loading and unloading vehicles, transporting goods and operating in different customer premises. These assessments are regularly reviewed, especially when new equipment, vehicles or methods of work are introduced.

Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments. They cover topics such as manual handling, stair work, use of lifting equipment, vehicle movements, working in restricted spaces, and handling fragile or high-value items. Staff are trained in these systems and expected to follow them at all times.

Employee Training and Competence

We recognise that competent, well-trained staff are essential to maintaining high standards of safety. All new employees receive an induction that includes health and safety responsibilities, emergency procedures, accident reporting and safe working practices specific to removals.

Ongoing training is provided in areas such as manual handling techniques, safe loading and securing of loads, safe driving practices, use of trolleys and lifting aids, and working in customer properties without causing harm or damage. Additional training is provided for supervisors, drivers and those using specialist equipment.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and presents a significant risk of injury if not managed correctly. Finchley Removals minimises manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable by using suitable handling equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, piano trolleys and furniture blankets.

Our staff are trained to assess each lift, use team lifting where appropriate, keep loads close to the body, avoid twisting and over-reaching, and take breaks when handling heavy or awkward items. Any defective equipment is removed from service immediately and reported to management.

Vehicles, Driving and Load Security

Company vehicles are maintained in a safe, roadworthy condition with regular inspections, servicing and safety checks. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence for the vehicles they operate and follow all road traffic laws, including restrictions on driving hours and mobile phone use.

Loads are planned and secured to prevent movement during transit, taking into account weight distribution, access at the destination and the protection of customer property. Ramps and tail lifts are used in line with manufacturer instructions, and only authorised staff may operate them.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in a wide variety of properties and environments. We take care to prevent damage and ensure safety in and around customer premises. This includes keeping walkways clear, managing trip hazards from packaging materials and equipment, and using appropriate warning signs where necessary.

Where access is restricted, on busy streets or shared entryways, our staff take extra care to coordinate vehicle positioning, loading and unloading to minimise risk to pedestrians, neighbours and other road users.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and hazardous situations must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. Incidents are recorded, investigated and reviewed so that causes can be identified and corrective actions implemented.

Emergency procedures are in place for fire, serious accidents, vehicle incidents and other significant events. Staff are briefed on how to respond, including how to summon emergency services, make areas safe where possible and protect themselves and others from further harm.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

Finchley Removals recognises the importance of employee welfare and fitness for work in a physically demanding industry. We encourage employees to report any health concerns that may affect their ability to carry out removal tasks safely, including musculoskeletal problems or fatigue.

The company does not tolerate working under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and any concerns in this area are taken seriously. Breaks and rest periods are scheduled to manage fatigue, especially during busy periods and longer-distance moves.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage suggestions for improving safety performance. Feedback from staff and customers, as well as learning from incidents, is used to update risk assessments, working methods and training.

This policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes to the nature or scale of our operations, relevant legislation or industry standards. Updated versions are communicated to all employees and made available to customers on request.

By following this policy, Finchley Removals aims to ensure that every move is carried out as safely and efficiently as possible, protecting our staff, our customers and the communities in which we operate.