Health and Safety policy
Tufnell Park Movers Health and Safety Policy
Tufnell Park Movers is committed to maintaining the highest reasonable standards of health, safety and welfare for our employees, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and associated services. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all moving, packing, loading, transport and delivery activities.
Policy Statement and Objectives
The objective of this Health and Safety Policy is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by actively managing risks arising from our operations. We aim to create a working environment in which safety is an integral part of every task, from planning a home move to completing the final delivery.
We will meet our responsibilities by implementing safe systems of work, providing appropriate training, and promoting a positive safety culture in which everyone understands and accepts their role in protecting themselves and others.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Tufnell Park Movers has overall responsibility for health and safety. Management will:
Ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for all key activities, including lifting and carrying, vehicle movements, working in and around customers premises, and handling fragile or heavy items.
Provide and maintain safe plant and equipment, including vehicles, lifting aids, trolleys and protective equipment used during removals.
Ensure that employees receive appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to perform their duties safely and competently.
Allocate adequate resources for the implementation, monitoring and review of this policy.
Regularly review health and safety performance, investigate accidents and near misses, and implement improvements where required.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee, including drivers, porters, packers and office staff, has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must:
Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided by the company.
Use vehicles, tools and equipment only for their intended purpose and in accordance with guidance.
Wear and maintain any personal protective equipment issued, such as gloves, safety footwear or high visibility clothing.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses, hazards or unsafe practices to their line manager as soon as reasonably practicable.
Refrain from any behaviour that could compromise safety, including horseplay, unsafe lifting or working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Tufnell Park Movers undertakes risk assessments covering typical removal operations and any significant site specific hazards identified during surveys or on arrival at a property. These assessments inform safe systems of work, which may include:
Planning access routes and parking positions for vehicles to minimise reversing and protect pedestrians.
Assessing stairways, corridors and doorways for safe transport of bulky items such as furniture and appliances.
Using appropriate lifting aids and team lifts for heavy or awkward loads to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries.
Implementing safe methods for dismantling and reassembling items, securing loads in vehicles and stacking boxes to prevent collapse or movement in transit.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is central to removal work and presents a significant risk if not managed correctly. The company will:
Provide manual handling training covering posture, lifting techniques, team lifting and assessment of load weight and stability.
Encourage staff to refuse unsafe lifts and request additional support, equipment or changes to the job plan where necessary.
Make use of trolleys, barrows, straps and other aids whenever reasonably practicable, particularly for long carries or heavy items.
Limit individual lifting where possible and avoid unnecessary carrying by planning moves to reduce handling distances.
Vehicle Safety and Driving
Vehicles are essential to our service and must be operated safely at all times. Tufnell Park Movers will:
Ensure that all drivers hold the appropriate licence and are authorised to drive company vehicles.
Maintain vehicles in a safe condition through regular inspections, servicing and defect reporting procedures.
Require drivers to comply with road traffic laws, drive within speed limits, and adopt defensive driving techniques.
Provide guidance on securing loads to prevent movement during transit and to ensure safe unloading at the destination.
Discourage the use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving, except where legal and used in a safe, hands free manner in accordance with company rules.
Working at Customers Premises
When operating in customers homes, offices or other premises, staff must act with care and respect. This includes:
Keeping walkways clear, managing trailing cables and equipment, and highlighting any temporary hazards.
Protecting floors, walls and fixtures where reasonably practicable to prevent damage and trip hazards.
Maintaining good housekeeping, promptly cleaning up spills and removing waste materials safely.
Being mindful of children, pets and other occupants and ensuring that work areas are kept as safe as possible.
Training, Communication and Consultation
Tufnell Park Movers will provide employees with suitable training on induction and at regular intervals, covering topics such as manual handling, vehicle safety, safe loading, use of equipment, emergency procedures and personal protective equipment.
We are committed to open communication on health and safety matters and encourage employees to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in safety discussions. Where appropriate, the company will consult with staff when introducing new equipment, vehicles or procedures that may affect health and safety.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses, however minor, must be reported to management as soon as practicable. The company will investigate these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
Employees will be made aware of emergency arrangements relevant to their work, including procedures for fire, road traffic incidents, first aid and contacting emergency services. Vehicles and premises will be equipped with suitable fire extinguishers and first aid supplies, and designated persons will receive first aid training where required.
Monitoring and Review
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary, for example following significant changes to operations, the introduction of new equipment, or relevant changes in legal requirements or recognised best practice.
Tufnell Park Movers is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. By working together, management and staff can ensure that our removal services are delivered as safely and responsibly as possible for everyone involved.
