Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Colliers Wood Movers
Colliers Wood Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removals and moving services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our aims, responsibilities, and working practices to minimise risk during home and business relocations, packing, loading, transport, and delivery activities.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and promote a positive safety culture throughout all aspects of our removal operations. We will identify and control hazards associated with lifting and carrying, the use of removal vehicles and equipment, working in customers premises, and any other task connected with our services.
We will regularly review our performance and seek continuous improvement, ensuring that health and safety standards evolve in line with best practice, legislation, and the specific risks encountered in the removals industry.
Management Responsibilities
Company management has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes providing adequate resources, information, instruction, and supervision to ensure safe working practices during all moving activities.
Managers will ensure that risk assessments are conducted, kept up to date, and communicated to staff. They will monitor compliance with safe systems of work, investigate incidents and near misses, and take corrective action where required. Management will promote a culture where safety is integral to planning every removal job, from the initial survey through to final delivery.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Colliers Wood Movers has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. This includes colleagues, customers, visitors, and members of the public.
Employees must follow all health and safety instructions, work in accordance with training and procedures, and use equipment correctly. Any defects in vehicles, tools, or personal protective equipment must be reported without delay. Staff must not attempt tasks for which they are not trained, and must promptly inform management of any incident, near miss, or concern relating to safety.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for our activities, including packing, dismantling and assembling furniture, lifting and carrying items, moving goods through properties, loading and unloading vehicles, and driving between locations.
These assessments identify significant hazards such as manual handling injuries, slips, trips and falls, damage to property, vehicle accidents, and contact with hazardous items. Control measures include planning access routes, using appropriate lifting techniques and equipment, working in teams to handle heavy or awkward items, and ensuring vehicles are loaded securely and within weight limits.
Job-specific assessments may be undertaken for complex removals, properties with limited access, or moves involving high-value or fragile items. Staff must follow the agreed safe system of work for each task.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a significant source of potential injury. Colliers Wood Movers provides training in correct lifting techniques, team lifts, and the use of handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, and straps.
Where possible, loads will be reduced into smaller, more manageable units. Staff are expected to assess the weight and shape of items before lifting, plan the route, clear obstructions, and seek assistance for heavy or awkward objects. No employee should attempt to lift beyond their individual capability.
All equipment used in our operations is maintained in good working order and inspected regularly. Employees must not misuse equipment or use it for purposes other than those intended.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are essential to our removals service and are operated with strict attention to safety. Regular checks and servicing are carried out to keep vehicles roadworthy and compliant with applicable regulations.
Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow all road traffic laws, and adhere to company policies regarding speed, loading, parking, and rest breaks. Loads must be evenly distributed, properly secured, and kept within permitted weight limits. Drivers are responsible for conducting daily vehicle checks and reporting any defects immediately.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Our work often takes place in and around customers homes, offices, and shared spaces. We will take reasonable steps to protect property and prevent harm to anyone who could be affected by our activities.
Measures include planning clear access routes, using floor and wall protection where appropriate, avoiding trip hazards from tools and packing materials, and maintaining good housekeeping throughout the move. When working in communal or public areas, we will take care to minimise obstruction and, where necessary, use warning signs or barriers.
Training, Information and Supervision
Colliers Wood Movers provides appropriate health and safety training for all staff, including induction training for new employees and refresher training where required. Training covers manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, working in customers premises, and emergency procedures.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for ensuring that staff understand and follow safe working methods, particularly on complex or higher-risk moves. We will keep records of training and update them as roles or procedures change.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, incidents, and near misses must be reported to management as soon as practicable. This allows us to provide appropriate support, meet legal obligations, and identify opportunities to prevent recurrence.
We maintain emergency procedures for incidents such as fire, serious injury, and road traffic accidents. Staff are made aware of these procedures and must cooperate fully in any emergency, giving priority to the safety of people over property.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, applicable legislation, or identified risks. We will monitor our performance through inspections, incident statistics, staff feedback, and customer comments.
Colliers Wood Movers is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety standards, ensuring that our removals and related services are carried out with professionalism, care, and respect for the wellbeing of everyone involved.
