Merton Removals Health and Safety Policy

Merton Removals 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 removal and relocation services. We recognise that effective health and safety management is essential to the success of our business and to the protection of people, property and the wider community.

1. Policy Aims and Scope

This Health and Safety Policy applies to all activities undertaken by Merton Removals, including domestic removals, office moves, packing, loading, transportation, unloading, storage handling and on-site surveys. The aims of this policy are to prevent injury and ill health, comply with applicable health and safety legislation, and continually improve our safety performance.

We will take all reasonably practicable steps to manage risks arising from our work, with particular focus on manual handling, traffic movement, working in and around client premises, and the use of vehicles and lifting equipment.

2. Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the senior management of Merton Removals. They are responsible for providing adequate resources, setting clear safety objectives and ensuring that this policy is implemented, monitored and reviewed regularly.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day health and safety management, including communicating safe working procedures, ensuring staff follow them, and reporting hazards or incidents promptly.

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. Staff must cooperate with management, follow training and instructions, use equipment properly and report any unsafe conditions or near misses.

3. Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Merton Removals will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments covering our removal operations and related activities. These assessments will identify significant hazards, evaluate associated risks and set out appropriate control measures. Risk assessments are reviewed when working methods change, after incidents, or at reasonable intervals.

Safe systems of work will be developed and maintained for key tasks, including manual handling of furniture and boxes, use of trolleys and lifting devices, packing and unpacking, operating in confined spaces such as stairwells, and working near traffic or on busy streets. Staff are expected to follow these procedures at all times.

4. Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Lifting and moving heavy or awkward items is a core part of our business and a key safety priority. All staff involved in removals will receive manual handling training focused on safe lifting techniques, team lifts, load assessment and the correct use of handling equipment. Work is organised to minimise excessive lifting and carrying wherever practical.

Merton Removals will provide appropriate equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, furniture blankets, straps and ramps. Only trained personnel may use any specialist equipment or mechanical aids. All equipment will be maintained in a safe condition and taken out of use if defects are identified.

5. Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety

We recognise our responsibility to manage driving and transport risks safely. Vehicles used for removal work will be maintained in roadworthy condition with appropriate safety checks and servicing. Loads will be packed and secured to prevent movement during transit and to protect both staff and other road users.

Drivers must hold the relevant driving licence, follow road traffic laws and adhere to company guidelines on safe driving, route planning and parking. Where possible, routes and timings will be planned to reduce congestion and minimise the need for difficult manoeuvres in busy residential or commercial areas.

6. Working at Client Premises

Our teams often operate within homes, offices and shared buildings. We will take care to protect occupants, visitors and other contractors by maintaining clear walkways, using warning signs where appropriate, and controlling access to work areas while loading or unloading.

Before work begins, our staff will assess access routes, stairs, lifts and loading points, and will agree with the customer how best to manage any specific hazards. Where building rules or site inductions apply, our staff will comply with these requirements.

7. Information, Instruction, Training and Supervision

Merton Removals is committed to providing adequate information, instruction, training and supervision to enable employees to work safely and competently. New staff will receive an induction that covers core health and safety topics, with additional job-specific training provided as required.

Training may include manual handling, use of equipment, safe driving, incident reporting, hazard recognition and emergency procedures. Supervisors will monitor working practices and provide ongoing guidance and feedback to maintain safe standards.

8. Personal Protective Equipment

Where risks cannot be eliminated through other means, suitable personal protective equipment will be provided. This may include safety footwear, gloves, high visibility garments and other items relevant to the task or location. Employees must use the equipment provided and report any defects or loss immediately.

9. Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as reasonably possible, so that they can be recorded, investigated and used to prevent recurrence. We encourage open reporting and a no-blame culture aimed at learning and improvement.

Our staff are briefed on emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, property damage or road traffic collisions. Where appropriate, we will coordinate our response with emergency services and building management.

10. Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Merton Removals values the input of employees and customers in improving health and safety. We will consult with staff on changes to working practices and will consider feedback received from clients about safety performance at their premises.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, company operations or the outcome of incident investigations. Our objective is to maintain high safety standards while delivering reliable and efficient removal services.