Mill Hill Removals Health and Safety Policy
Mill Hill Removals 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. We recognise that professional moving and handling operations carry inherent risks, and we aim to manage these risks through effective planning, training and supervision.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our work. Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning and decision making for every move, from initial enquiry through to completion of the job. We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, standards and approved codes of practice applicable to our operations in the United Kingdom.
This policy applies to all staff, whether permanent, temporary or agency, and to all locations where we operate, including customers premises, storage facilities, offices and vehicles.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Mill Hill Removals has overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this policy. Management will:
Set clear health and safety objectives and review performance regularly.
Provide adequate resources, equipment and information to ensure safe working practices.
Ensure that risk assessments are carried out, recorded, implemented and reviewed.
Maintain safe systems of work for packing, loading, transportation and unloading.
Ensure that vehicles, lifting equipment and tools are properly maintained, inspected and suitable for the tasks undertaken.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage active participation in improving safety performance.
Employee Responsibilities
Employees have a legal and moral duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff are required to:
Follow the companys health and safety procedures and safe working practices at all times.
Use equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and as instructed.
Report hazards, near misses, incidents and defective equipment without delay.
Attend and actively participate in all relevant training and safety briefings.
Cooperate with management and supervisors in achieving the aims of this policy.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Mill Hill Removals carries out risk assessments for typical moving activities and for specific jobs where particular risks are identified. These assessments cover, as appropriate:
Manual handling of furniture, appliances and personal belongings.
Use of handling aids, trolleys, dollies and lifting straps.
Access issues such as stairs, narrow corridors, uneven surfaces and parking arrangements.
Working in customers homes, commercial premises and shared spaces.
Weather conditions and lighting that may affect loading and unloading.
Traffic management around vehicles during collection and delivery.
The findings of risk assessments are used to develop safe systems of work, which are communicated to staff through training, instructions and on-site briefings.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is a significant source of potential injury. To minimise risk, we:
Provide manual handling training tailored to removal activities, including safe lifting techniques, team lifts and load assessment.
Encourage staff to avoid unnecessary lifting and to use handling aids wherever practicable.
Ensure that trolleys, skates, ramps and other equipment are suitable for the loads and environment.
Prohibit employees from attempting to lift or carry items that are beyond their capability or that cannot be safely handled with the equipment available.
Require employees to report any discomfort, strains or injuries at an early stage so that appropriate action can be taken.
Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety
The safe use of vehicles is essential to our operations. Mill Hill Removals will:
Ensure that all drivers are competent, hold valid licences and are familiar with the vehicles they operate.
Maintain vehicles in a roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing.
Require drivers to conduct pre-use checks and report any defects immediately.
Plan routes to allow sufficient time for safe driving and to minimise fatigue.
Ensure that loads are secured correctly to prevent movement during transit.
Promote safe parking, reversing and manoeuvring practices, including the use of banksmen where appropriate.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, visitors and the general public during removal operations. To achieve this, we:
Assess access routes and identify hazards at the start of each job.
Keep walkways clear of trip hazards such as packing materials and tools.
Use warning signs or verbal warnings where work may affect others in the area.
Take care to prevent damage to property and to minimise disturbance to neighbours and other occupants.
Respect customers homes and businesses and work in a considerate and professional manner.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive induction training covering company health and safety rules, emergency procedures and safe working methods. Additional job-specific training is provided where required, including topics such as manual handling, safe use of vehicles, working at height where relevant and use of specialist equipment.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring that procedures are followed on site and for providing guidance and support to team members. Refresher training is arranged periodically or following incidents, changes in equipment or updates to legislation.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as practicable. We investigate these events to identify underlying causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence. Records of incidents are maintained and reviewed to monitor trends and improve performance.
Emergency arrangements, including first aid provision and procedures for fire, road traffic incidents and serious injuries, are communicated to staff. Vehicles and premises are equipped with appropriate first aid supplies and fire safety equipment, which are checked regularly.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Mill Hill Removals is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. This policy and associated procedures are reviewed regularly, and at least annually, to ensure they remain effective, up to date and aligned with current legislation and industry best practice.
Feedback from employees and customers is welcomed and used to identify areas for improvement. Where necessary, this may result in updated training, revised risk assessments or changes to equipment and methods of work.
By working together and maintaining a strong safety culture, Mill Hill Removals aims to deliver reliable removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our operations.
