Dulwich Removals Health and Safety Policy

Dulwich 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 moving and storage operations. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risk, complying with relevant legislation and promoting a culture of safety across all of our removal services.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury, protect health and minimise risks associated with removals, packing, loading, transporting, unloading and storage. We aim to identify hazards before work begins, implement effective control measures and continually improve our working practices. Health and safety considerations form an integral part of planning every move, from small residential relocations to larger commercial or office removals.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Dulwich Removals holds overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented and maintained. Senior managers will:

Assess and review health and safety risks relating to removal activities, manual handling, use of vehicles and equipment, and access to properties. Provide suitable resources for training, supervision, equipment maintenance and protective measures. Ensure that safe systems of work are developed, documented and communicated to all staff. Monitor health and safety performance through inspections, incident reporting and feedback from employees and customers. Review this policy regularly and update it to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance or business operations.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee of Dulwich Removals has an individual responsibility to safeguard their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. All staff are expected to:

Follow all health and safety procedures and instructions issued by the company. Use vehicles, equipment, tools and personal protective equipment correctly and for their intended purpose. Report hazards, near misses, accidents, injuries or defective equipment without delay. Participate in training and toolbox talks, and apply the knowledge gained to day-to-day work. Co-operate with managers and supervisors in achieving the aims of this policy.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Dulwich Removals carries out risk assessments for typical removal activities, as well as site-specific assessments when required. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling of heavy or awkward items, working in confined spaces, stairways and access routes, use of lifting equipment, traffic management around vehicles, and environmental conditions including poor lighting or adverse weather.

Based on these assessments we develop safe working practices which may include team lifting of heavy items, use of trolleys and lifting aids, securing loads within vehicles, planning parking and access in advance, and avoiding unsafe shortcuts. Employees are briefed on relevant risks before work begins and are expected to stop work and seek guidance if an unforeseen danger arises.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core element of removal work and is carefully controlled to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Staff receive training in correct lifting techniques, posture, and how to assess the weight and stability of items before moving them. Where possible, heavy or bulky goods are moved using trolleys, dollies, sliders or mechanical lifting aids rather than relying solely on physical strength.

All equipment and vehicles used by Dulwich Removals are maintained in a safe condition and checked regularly. Faulty or damaged equipment is removed from service promptly. Only trained and authorised staff may operate specialist equipment or drive company vehicles.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

The safe operation of removal vehicles is a key part of our health and safety system. Drivers must hold the correct licences, maintain good driving records and follow all road traffic regulations. Journey planning allows adequate time for travel, avoids unnecessary time pressure and identifies suitable access routes for removal vehicles.

Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit and to protect both staff and other road users. Drivers are responsible for carrying out pre-use checks on tyres, lights, brakes, mirrors and securing systems, and for reporting any defects immediately.

Customer and Public Safety

During moves, our teams take care to protect customers, their property and the general public. Measures may include restricting access to work areas, using warning signs or cones around vehicles where appropriate, and maintaining clear pathways through hallways, staircases and entrances.

We take particular care in residential streets, shared entrances and busy commercial environments where members of the public may be present. Our staff are instructed to work tidily, keep tools and packing materials under control and remove potential trip hazards as work progresses.

Training, Supervision and Communication

All new employees receive an induction that covers the main health and safety risks associated with removal work and the company procedures to manage them. Ongoing training is provided on topics such as manual handling, safe loading and unloading, vehicle safety, use of equipment and emergency procedures.

Supervisors monitor working practices on site to ensure compliance with this policy and to provide guidance where needed. Regular communication, including briefings before complex moves, ensures that all team members understand the plan of work, the specific risks and their individual responsibilities.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

Dulwich Removals encourages open reporting of all incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions. This information is used to investigate root causes, identify corrective actions and prevent recurrence. Findings from investigations are shared with staff and used to improve training, procedures and risk assessments.

We are committed to continual improvement of our health and safety performance. Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and forms part of our regular review of working practices and this policy.

Policy Review and Availability

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals, and sooner if there are significant changes to our operations or to relevant health and safety regulations. Updated versions are communicated to all employees and made available to customers on request. By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Dulwich Removals aims to deliver a professional, reliable and safe removal service for every move we undertake.