Health and Safety policy
Movers Colliers Wood Health and Safety Policy
Movers Colliers Wood is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and relocation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and practices we follow to manage risks associated with moving, lifting, transportation and storage of household and commercial goods.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aim of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and disruption to services by systematically managing health and safety in all aspects of our work. Our objectives are to identify hazards, assess risks, implement effective control measures and continually improve our performance in line with best practice in the removals industry.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Movers Colliers Wood has overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. Management will ensure that adequate resources are provided for safe working practices, including training, supervision, equipment maintenance and personal protective equipment where required. Health and safety considerations will be integrated into planning, scheduling and delivery of all moving services.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for communicating this policy, ensuring that staff understand their responsibilities, monitoring compliance and addressing any unsafe behaviour or conditions promptly. They are required to lead by example and foster a culture where safety is prioritised at all times.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees have 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. Staff must follow company procedures, attend relevant training, use equipment correctly and report any hazards, incidents or near misses to management as soon as possible.
Employees must not undertake tasks for which they are not trained or physically capable, and must cooperate fully with risk control measures, including safe lifting techniques and use of appropriate protective equipment where specified.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Movers Colliers Wood conducts risk assessments for typical removal activities and site-specific circumstances. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, working in stairwells, access constraints, loading and unloading vehicles, traffic movement, and the handling of fragile or heavy items.
Based on these assessments, safe systems of work are developed and implemented. These include guidance on route planning, parking and loading arrangements, securing loads within vehicles, using lifting aids, and working safely in residential and commercial premises. Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and after any significant incident, change in work process or introduction of new equipment.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key element of removal services and presents a significant potential for injury if not managed correctly. Movers Colliers Wood provides instruction on correct lifting and carrying techniques, team lifting for heavy or awkward items, and the importance of assessing individual capability before attempting any move.
Mechanical aids and equipment such as sack trucks, moving dollies, furniture sliders and protective blankets are used wherever appropriate to reduce the risk of strain or injury and to protect customer property. All equipment is inspected regularly and any damaged or defective items are taken out of service immediately.
Vehicle Safety and Load Security
All company vehicles used for removals and transportation are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements. Drivers are responsible for carrying out basic pre-use checks and reporting any defects promptly.
Loads must be arranged and secured to prevent movement during transit, with particular attention to heavy, tall or fragile items. Access to vehicles during loading and unloading must be kept clear, and reversing or manoeuvring in restricted areas must be carried out with care, using a guide or banksman where needed to protect pedestrians and property.
Customer and Public Safety
Our teams take steps to minimise risks to customers, building occupants and members of the public during moving operations. This may include controlling access to work areas, using warning signs where necessary, keeping walkways clear of trip hazards such as boxes, straps and packing materials, and handling items in a way that avoids damage to fixtures and fittings.
Where work is undertaken in shared spaces, such as communal hallways, entrances and car parks, staff will remain vigilant and adjust plans as required to maintain safe passage for others.
Training, Information and Supervision
Movers Colliers Wood provides appropriate health and safety training to all employees, including induction training for new staff and role-specific instruction for drivers, porters and supervisors. Training covers topics such as manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, personal conduct at customer premises and emergency procedures.
Supervision levels are matched to the complexity and risk of the work being carried out, with less experienced staff working under the guidance of more experienced personnel until they are assessed as competent to work more independently.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health must be reported promptly to management. Records are maintained and reviewed to identify any recurring issues or trends. Where necessary, incidents are investigated to establish root causes and to determine what corrective or preventive actions are required.
Findings from investigations are shared with relevant staff and may lead to updates in procedures, additional training or changes to equipment or working methods.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Movers Colliers Wood recognises that effective health and safety management depends on input from those carrying out the work. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safe working practices. Feedback from customers relating to safety or access issues is also taken into account when reviewing our procedures.
This policy and our supporting arrangements are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in legislation, operational experience and industry standards. Revisions are communicated to staff and implemented promptly to ensure that health and safety remains central to the delivery of our removal services.
Policy Review and Availability
This Health and Safety Policy is approved by the company management and is subject to regular review to ensure it remains suitable, adequate and effective. It is available to all employees and to customers who wish to understand how Movers Colliers Wood manages health and safety in the course of providing professional moving and relocation services.
