Health and Safety policy
Waterloo Movers Health and Safety Policy
Waterloo Movers 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 services. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all moving, packing, loading, transport and delivery activities.
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and unnecessary disruption by identifying and managing risks in a systematic and practical way. We comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and follow recognised best practice within the removals industry.
Roles, Responsibilities and Accountability
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that appropriate resources, procedures and training are in place. Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy on a day to day basis, leading by example and addressing unsafe acts or conditions promptly.
Every employee of Waterloo Movers has a duty of care to work safely, follow instructions, use provided equipment correctly and report hazards, incidents or near misses without delay. Health and safety performance is considered an integral part of job performance and is taken into account when reviewing staff conduct and behaviour.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before any removal, loading or transport activity is carried out, relevant risks are assessed and suitable control measures are identified. This includes assessing access routes, parking, lifting requirements, stairways, use of lifts and the condition of items to be moved.
Safe systems of work are developed for recurring tasks such as manual handling, packing, securing loads, operating lifting aids and driving vehicles. These procedures are communicated clearly to staff and are reviewed where circumstances change or following any incident or near miss.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant part of removal operations and is managed with particular care. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, team handling, use of trolleys, dollies, straps and other handling aids to reduce strain and prevent musculoskeletal injury.
Where practicable, heavy or bulky items are moved with mechanical aids or by multiple team members. Loads are assessed before lifting to determine the safest method. Staff are instructed not to exceed sensible personal limits and to seek assistance whenever required.
All handling equipment, tools and lifting aids are inspected regularly, used only for their intended purpose and taken out of service immediately if found to be defective or unsafe.
Vehicle Safety and Load Security
Waterloo Movers maintains its vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition through regular servicing, inspections and checks prior to use. Drivers are required to hold the appropriate licence and to follow company rules on driving hours, rest breaks and safe driving conduct.
Loads are secured carefully to prevent movement during transit. Furniture, appliances and boxes are positioned and restrained to avoid shifting, falling or causing damage. Particular attention is paid to weight distribution, use of protective blankets and securing straps, and ensuring doors and ramps operate safely.
Workplace, Customer Premises and Public Safety
The safety of customers, visitors and the general public is central to our operations. Move teams plan access routes, identify potential trip or slip hazards and keep passageways as clear as reasonably possible.
Where necessary, warning signs or cones are used to draw attention to loading areas, ramps or vehicle movements. Staff are required to maintain an orderly work area, manage cables, tools and packing materials, and minimise obstruction on pavements, corridors, staircases and entrances.
Care is taken to avoid damage to property, fixtures and utilities that could create a hazard, such as exposed wiring, broken glass or sharp edges. Any accidental damage that may pose a risk is made safe as far as possible and reported immediately.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive appropriate health and safety induction when joining Waterloo Movers, including information on this policy, emergency arrangements and their specific responsibilities.
Job specific training is provided on manual handling, safe loading and unloading, equipment use, driving standards and working in different environments such as homes, offices and shared buildings. Training is refreshed periodically and whenever roles, equipment or procedures change.
Supervisors monitor work practices on site, provide guidance, correct unsafe behaviour and encourage staff to speak up about concerns. Additional supervision is provided for new or less experienced staff until they can work safely and confidently.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment is provided and must be used. This may include safety footwear, gloves, high visibility clothing and other items appropriate to the task and environment.
Employees are responsible for looking after issued equipment, reporting defects and ensuring it is worn correctly when required. Management ensures that equipment is suitable, maintained and replaced when necessary.
Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work
Waterloo Movers recognises the physical demands of removal work and aims to protect the health and wellbeing of staff. Employees are expected to attend work fit for duty, not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and to inform management of any condition that may affect their ability to work safely.
Rest breaks are planned into work schedules, and staff are encouraged to use correct techniques, pace tasks sensibly and seek assistance when needed. Where health concerns are raised, reasonable adjustments or alternative duties may be considered.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. Each incident is reviewed to identify root causes and to implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Waterloo Movers is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. This policy, associated procedures and risk assessments are reviewed regularly and updated to reflect changes in legislation, operations, equipment or best practice, as well as lessons learned from experience.
By working together, following this policy and applying common sense and care in all activities, Waterloo Movers aims to deliver a reliable, professional and safe removal service for every customer.
