Health and Safety policy
Movers Barnes Health and Safety Policy
Movers Barnes 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. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial moves, storage handling and related transport operations.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by identifying, assessing and controlling risks arising from our work. We will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice, and we will continually review and improve our systems to ensure safe, efficient and professional removal services.
Scope of the Policy
This policy applies to all employees of Movers Barnes, including permanent, temporary and agency staff. It also applies, where relevant, to subcontractors, suppliers, visitors and customers while they are on our premises or at locations where we are carrying out moving and transport services.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Movers Barnes has overall responsibility for health and safety performance and for ensuring that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy. Management will:
Set clear health and safety objectives and monitor performance against them.
Ensure risk assessments are carried out for removal activities, transport operations, storage handling and office functions, and that appropriate control measures are implemented and maintained.
Provide safe vehicles, plant, tools and equipment, together with arrangements for their inspection, maintenance and replacement.
Ensure employees receive appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision relevant to their roles and the risks they may encounter.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and take account of their feedback when reviewing procedures.
Review this policy regularly and update it in light of operational changes, new legislation or lessons learned from incidents.
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. Employees of Movers Barnes are expected to:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided by the company.
Use vehicles, tools, lifting equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and for their intended purposes.
Report hazards, near misses, accidents, incidents, damage or faulty equipment to management without delay.
Cooperate with managers and supervisors on health and safety matters, including participation in training and safety briefings.
Refrain from engaging in horseplay, unsafe behaviour or any act that could endanger themselves or others.
Never work under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances, and use prescribed medication responsibly so that it does not impair safe working.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Movers Barnes conducts risk assessments for key aspects of our removals and transport operations, including manual handling of furniture and boxes, loading and unloading vehicles, driving and route planning, working in client premises, working at height when required, and handling fragile, bulky or high value items.
Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments and are communicated to employees through training, written procedures and on site briefings. Employees are expected to follow these safe working methods at all times and to raise any concerns if conditions on site change or if a task cannot be carried out safely.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of removal work and is carefully controlled to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Movers Barnes provides training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, use of trolleys and other handling aids, and methods for moving large or awkward items. Wherever practicable, mechanical aids and appropriate handling equipment will be provided and used.
Only trained and authorised employees may operate specialist equipment such as tail lifts or lifting straps. Equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if found to be defective or unsafe.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are maintained in good condition through scheduled servicing, inspections and daily checks by drivers. Any defects are reported immediately and vehicles are not used if they are unsafe.
Drivers must hold the correct licences and comply with all road traffic and transport regulations. Safe driving standards are expected at all times, including adherence to speed limits, avoidance of mobile phone use while driving, correct loading and securing of goods, and planning of routes to minimise risk and delay. Drivers must be fit to drive and must not operate vehicles when tired or unwell.
Working at Customer Premises
When operating in customers premises, whether residential or commercial, our teams will take steps to protect both people and property. This includes clear communication with customers, maintaining safe access routes, using floor and corner protection where appropriate, and being alert to hazards such as uneven surfaces, restricted spaces, staircases and other occupants on site.
Where necessary, a dynamic risk assessment will be conducted upon arrival, and work will be adapted or paused if conditions are unsafe. All reasonable measures will be taken to prevent slips, trips and falls, and to ensure that lifting and carrying routes are kept clear.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work related ill health must be reported to management as soon as practicable. Movers Barnes will investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Records will be maintained in accordance with legal and company requirements.
Employees receive information on emergency arrangements relevant to their work, including what to do in case of fire, collision, serious injury or other emergency situations on the road, in storage facilities or at customer premises.
Training, Communication and Continuous Improvement
Movers Barnes provides induction training for new employees and ongoing refresher training for existing staff. Topics include manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment, hazard awareness and emergency procedures. Additional role specific training is provided as needed.
Health and safety information is communicated through briefings, toolbox talks and written guidance. We encourage open reporting of hazards and suggestions for improvement, and we review feedback when updating our procedures.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains effective and aligned with our commitment to safe, professional and responsible removal services.
