Health and Safety policy
Haringey Movers Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Haringey Movers manages the safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. Our removals work involves lifting, carrying, driving and working in a variety of properties and environments, and we are committed to carrying out all activities in a way that minimises risk and prevents injury or ill health.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Haringey Movers aims to provide a safe and healthy working environment for everyone affected by our activities. Our core objectives are to prevent accidents and work-related illness, to continually improve safety practices in our moving and storage operations, and to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards.
We will provide appropriate resources, time and training to achieve these objectives and to promote a strong safety culture throughout the company.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Haringey Movers holds overall responsibility for health and safety within the business. This includes establishing clear procedures, ensuring that suitable risk assessments are carried out, providing safe equipment and vehicles, and monitoring the effectiveness of this policy.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy in day-to-day operations, making sure staff follow safe systems of work, and addressing any safety concerns promptly. They must lead by example, promoting a proactive approach to identifying and managing risks on every removal job.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Haringey Movers has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of colleagues, customers and others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow the instructions, training and procedures provided, use equipment correctly, and report any hazards, near-misses, incidents or defects without delay.
Employees must not misuse or interfere with any equipment or safety measures provided for health and safety purposes, and must inform their manager if they are unfit for work or taking medication that could affect their ability to carry out removal duties safely.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Haringey Movers carries out risk assessments for its main activities, including packing, loading and unloading, manual handling, driving and working at different premises. Site-specific assessments are carried out where necessary, especially for locations with restricted access, stairs, long carries or unusual items such as pianos, safes or bulky furniture.
On the basis of these assessments we establish safe systems of work, including the number of staff required, the use of lifting aids and equipment, and the sequence of tasks to reduce manual handling and other hazards. These procedures are regularly reviewed and adapted when circumstances change or new risks are identified.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key risk in removals operations. Haringey Movers provides training for staff in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, use of trolleys and other handling aids, and the importance of planning each move before work begins. Loads must always be assessed for weight, shape and stability, and lifts must not be attempted if they are beyond the capabilities of the team or equipment on site.
We provide suitable equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, removal straps and protective materials, and we ensure that these are maintained in good condition. Employees must inspect equipment before use and must not use damaged or defective items.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our vehicles are essential to our moving services and must be operated safely at all times. Haringey Movers ensures that all drivers are competent, licensed and familiar with the vehicles they operate. Vehicles are subject to regular checks, servicing and inspections to maintain roadworthiness.
Drivers are responsible for carrying out pre-use checks, reporting defects immediately, loading vehicles safely and securing loads to prevent movement during transit. Journey planning aims to reduce fatigue and stress, and drivers must comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and parking restrictions at all times.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our crews often work in and around customers homes, offices and shared areas. We take particular care to protect customers, visitors and the general public from harm during removals. This includes keeping access routes clear, using warning signs or barriers where necessary, and ensuring that lifting and carrying is planned to avoid creating unnecessary hazards.
Customers are asked to inform us about any relevant risks at their premises, such as loose flooring, limited access, structural issues or items requiring special handling, so that we can plan the move safely.
Training, Information and Supervision
Haringey Movers provides induction and ongoing training for all employees appropriate to their roles. This includes instruction on manual handling, safe loading and unloading, use of vehicles and equipment, personal protective equipment, and emergency procedures. Where needed, staff receive additional training for specialist items or environments.
Supervisors monitor working practices on site to ensure that procedures are followed and to provide guidance to less experienced team members. Safety information, updates and lessons learned from incidents are shared regularly with staff.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near-misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to a manager or supervisor. Haringey Movers records and investigates these events to identify root causes and to implement corrective actions, such as changes to procedures, further training or equipment improvements.
We encourage open reporting and do not tolerate any form of victimisation of staff who raise safety concerns or highlight unsafe conditions.
Wellbeing and Fitness for Work
Moving work can be physically demanding. Haringey Movers promotes the wellbeing of staff by encouraging safe working practices, appropriate rest breaks and support for those who report health issues. Employees must inform their manager if they have any condition that may affect their ability to perform removal tasks safely, so that suitable adjustments can be considered.
Review of this Policy
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation or best practice. Updated versions are communicated to all employees, and we welcome feedback and suggestions to help improve our safety performance.
By working together and following this policy, Haringey Movers aims to deliver professional removal services while protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.
