Putney Removals Health and Safety Policy

Putney Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public affected by our activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our responsibilities and working standards for all removal, packing, loading, transport, and delivery operations carried out by our company.

Our Commitment to Health and Safety

We recognise that professional removals work involves manual handling, vehicle operation, and work at various domestic and commercial premises. We are committed to managing these risks systematically so that our services are carried out as safely as reasonably practicable. Our objectives are to prevent injury, protect health, safeguard property, and maintain full compliance with current health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

All employees, from management through to operational crews, must take personal responsibility for health and safety and cooperate fully with this policy at all times.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Putney Removals is responsible for establishing, implementing, and reviewing this policy. This includes:

Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out for all key activities, including manual handling, driving, loading and unloading, working in customers properties, and use of equipment. Providing the necessary resources, including time, training, and equipment, to allow employees to work safely. Maintaining appropriate insurance, licences, and certifications relevant to our removal services. Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Reviewing this policy on a regular basis and updating it when there are significant changes in the law, our operations, or identified risks.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee of Putney Removals has a duty to care for their own health and safety and that of colleagues and customers. Employees are required to:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided. Use equipment, vehicles, and protective gear correctly and report any defects immediately. Avoid taking shortcuts or unsafe actions, even when under time pressure. Report hazards, near misses, and incidents promptly to a supervisor. Maintain good housekeeping in vehicles, storage areas, and on customer premises to prevent slips, trips, and falls.

Failure to follow reasonable health and safety instructions may be treated as a disciplinary matter.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Putney Removals conducts risk assessments for regular activities and significant one-off jobs. The assessments identify hazards and set out control measures to reduce risks. Our crews are informed of these measures and expected to follow the safe systems of work provided.

Typical controls include using appropriate lifting techniques and team lifting methods, selecting suitable equipment such as trolleys, moving straps, and ramps, planning access routes in and out of properties, securing loads safely in vehicles, and ensuring adequate lighting and clear walkways wherever we are working.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal work. To minimise risk of injury, we:

Provide manual handling training covering posture, lifting methods, and teamwork. Assess the weight, size, and shape of items before moving them and use lifting aids whenever practicable. Encourage employees to refuse to lift or move items that are unsafe without additional assistance or equipment. Keep removal equipment, such as sack trucks and dollies, in good working order through regular checks.

Employees must never misuse equipment or use faulty equipment. Any damage or fault must be reported immediately.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Safe operation of our vehicles is essential to protect staff and the public. Putney Removals ensures that:

Vehicles are properly maintained and inspected in line with legal and manufacturer requirements. Drivers are competent, suitably licensed, and aware of their responsibility to drive safely and courteously. Loads are distributed correctly, secured to prevent movement, and checked before departure and during longer journeys. Routes are planned to allow realistic journey times and to reduce unnecessary stress and fatigue for drivers.

Drivers must comply with road traffic laws at all times and must not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impairs their ability to operate a vehicle safely.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams often work in homes, offices, and shared buildings. We will take reasonable steps to protect the occupants of these premises and members of the public by:

Maintaining clear walkways where possible to avoid trips and collisions. Using warning signs or verbal warnings where there is moving or heavy equipment. Taking care when moving large items through communal areas, doorways, and stairwells. Avoiding obstruction of fire exits and access for emergency services. Handling customer belongings with care to minimise damage to property and fixtures.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Putney Removals provides training and information appropriate to each role. This may include induction training for new staff, job-specific instruction, toolbox talks, and refresher sessions. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring that safety procedures are followed on site and for giving practical guidance where needed.

Employees are encouraged to raise any concerns about training needs or unclear procedures so that further support can be offered.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Arrangements

All accidents, injuries, and near misses must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. Records of such incidents are maintained and reviewed to identify trends and improvements.

Crews are briefed on emergency procedures relevant to their work, including fire precautions, safe evacuation, and actions in the event of injury or vehicle collision. First aid provisions appropriate to the work carried out are made available, and vehicles carry basic equipment where necessary.

Continuous Improvement

Putney Removals is committed to the ongoing improvement of its health and safety performance. We will review our working practices regularly, consider feedback from staff and customers, monitor incidents and near misses, and adjust our procedures and training where improvements can be made.

This Health and Safety Policy applies to all employees and contractors working under the control of Putney Removals and forms an integral part of our commitment to delivering professional, reliable, and safe removal services.