Health and Safety policy

Forestdale Removals Health and Safety Policy

Forestdale Removals is committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of health, safety and welfare for our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with removals, transportation, loading and unloading, and all related activities carried out by our team.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property during all moving and handling operations. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective controls. All work is planned and carried out so far as is reasonably practicable in a way that protects people, property and the environment.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Forestdale Removals is responsible for providing clear leadership on health and safety matters and ensuring that suitable resources are available to implement this policy. Management will regularly review our procedures, monitor performance and update this policy as needed to reflect changes in law, industry standards and operational practice.

Managers and supervisors must ensure that staff are competent for the tasks they carry out, that risk assessments are completed and understood, and that appropriate equipment is available and properly maintained. They are also responsible for encouraging open communication about safety concerns and ensuring that these are acted upon promptly.

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 training and instructions, use equipment correctly, report defects or hazards, and cooperate fully with all health and safety arrangements.

Employees must not misuse or interfere with anything provided in the interests of health and safety. Any incident, near miss, injury or unsafe condition must be reported immediately to a supervisor so that prompt corrective action can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Forestdale Removals carries out risk assessments for core activities including lifting and carrying items, dismantling and assembling furniture, loading and unloading vehicles, working at height when necessary, and operating in customer premises and public areas. These assessments form the basis of our safe working procedures.

Before each job, our team considers access routes, parking, traffic conditions, stairways, lifts, floor surfaces and any other relevant conditions. Where additional hazards are identified on site, work will be paused while appropriate control measures are put in place, such as adjusting the route, using extra staff, or employing mechanical aids.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant element of removal work and is carefully controlled. Staff receive training in safe lifting techniques, team handling, and the correct use of moving equipment such as trolleys, skates, straps and blankets. Loads are assessed before lifting and shared between team members whenever required.

We ensure that all equipment used for removals and lifting is suitable for the task, kept in good condition and inspected regularly. Defective equipment is taken out of service immediately. Staff are instructed not to attempt to move items that are beyond safe limits or that cannot be handled safely in the available space.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and relevant road safety requirements. Regular checks are carried out on brakes, tyres, lights, securing points and loading areas to ensure safe operation.

Drivers are expected to follow all road traffic rules, drive courteously, and plan routes to reduce unnecessary risk. Loads are distributed evenly and secured correctly to prevent movement in transit. Access at collection and delivery points is evaluated so vehicles can be manoeuvred and parked safely, with particular attention to pedestrians, other road users and property.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

When working at customer premises or in shared spaces, Forestdale Removals takes special care to minimise disruption and protect people nearby. Walkways and stairs are kept as clear as reasonably possible, trip hazards are reduced, and where appropriate, warning signs or verbal notifications are used to alert people to moving operations.

Protective measures such as floor covers, corner guards and door protectors may be used to reduce the risk of damage and related hazards. Our teams are instructed to respect customer property at all times and to work tidily, avoiding unsafe stacking and congestion.

Training, Information and Supervision

We provide our staff with appropriate induction and ongoing training in health and safety matters relevant to their roles. Training includes manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, incident reporting and emergency procedures. Additional training is provided when new equipment, processes or risks are introduced.

Supervision levels are maintained so that less experienced staff receive adequate guidance and support, and all workers have access to a competent person for advice when needed. Safety instructions and site specific information are communicated clearly before and during each job.

Welfare, Personal Protective Equipment and Wellbeing

Where required, suitable personal protective equipment is provided and must be used as instructed. This can include safety footwear, gloves, high visibility clothing and other items depending on the work location and nature of the task. PPE is maintained in good condition and replaced when necessary.

We recognise the physical demands of removal work and encourage sensible work pacing, use of team lifts, and regular breaks as appropriate. Forestdale Removals promotes a culture where staff can raise concerns about fatigue, discomfort or health issues that may affect their ability to work safely.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All accidents, incidents and near misses are recorded and investigated so that root causes can be identified and corrective actions put in place. Lessons learned are shared with teams and, where necessary, procedures are updated to prevent recurrence.

We are committed to continuous improvement in our health and safety performance. This policy is reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur in our operations or in applicable health and safety requirements.

Policy Review and Availability

This health and safety policy is approved by the management of Forestdale Removals and is communicated to all employees. It is also available to customers and other interested parties on request. The content of this policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains relevant, effective and aligned with our commitment to safe, responsible removal services.