Health and Safety policy
Camden Movers Health and Safety Policy
Camden 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 and relocation services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles, responsibilities and arrangements that guide our day to day operations in homes, offices and commercial premises.
Policy Objectives
The objectives of this policy are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and minimise risk during all moving, packing, loading, transport and unloading activities. We aim to identify hazards associated with removals and implement proportionate control measures so that work is carried out safely and efficiently at all times.
Health and safety is an integral part of service quality at Camden Movers and must be considered in planning, supervision and delivery of every move.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for ensuring that effective health and safety arrangements are in place and adequately resourced. This includes setting clear standards, monitoring performance and driving continuous improvement in safe working practices.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy within their areas of control. They must plan work to eliminate or reduce risks, provide suitable equipment, ensure staff are trained and competent, and respond promptly to concerns raised by employees or customers about health and safety.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Camden Movers has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must:
Follow all safety instructions, training and safe systems of work provided by the company.
Use vehicles, tools and equipment only for their intended purpose and in accordance with guidance.
Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions or damaged equipment to their supervisor without delay.
Wear any personal protective equipment issued to them where required.
Refrain from horseplay, unsafe shortcuts or working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Camden Movers conducts risk assessments for typical removal activities, including manual handling, driving, working in customer premises, stair work, use of lifting aids and handling fragile or high value items. Site specific risks are reviewed before and during each job, taking into account access routes, parking arrangements, weather conditions, building layout and any particular customer requirements.
From these assessments we develop safe systems of work, which are communicated to staff through training and on the job supervision. Where risks cannot be eliminated, they are controlled by measures such as team lifting, use of mechanical aids and appropriate route planning.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of removal work, and Camden Movers places strong emphasis on safe lifting techniques and ergonomic practices. Staff receive training on assessing loads, planning lifts, sharing weight between team members and avoiding awkward postures.
We provide suitable handling equipment including sack trucks, dollies, furniture blankets, straps and, where necessary, specialist lifting devices. Employees must inspect equipment before use and report any defects immediately. Only trained and authorised personnel may operate specialist equipment.
Vehicle and Road Safety
Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing. Drivers must carry out pre use checks and report faults promptly. Loads are secured to prevent movement during transit, with particular care taken for heavy, tall or unbalanced items.
Drivers are required to comply with road traffic laws, follow safe driving practices and allow sufficient time for journeys to avoid rushing. Fatigue management, route planning and safe parking near customer premises are all considered part of our health and safety responsibilities.
Customer and Public Safety
Camden Movers recognises its duty to protect customers, visitors, neighbours and members of the public who may be affected by our work. Our teams take care to keep access routes clear, use warning signs or barriers where appropriate, and minimise noise and disruption around properties.
Risks are particularly considered in shared spaces such as communal hallways, building entrances, pavements and loading areas. Heavy items are not left unattended in walkways, and vehicles are positioned to reduce the chance of collision with pedestrians or other road users.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive an introduction to the company health and safety arrangements when they join Camden Movers. Further task specific training, such as manual handling, vehicle safety, use of equipment and incident reporting, is provided based on their role.
Supervisors ensure that less experienced staff are supported on site and that teams understand the safe working methods required for each job. Refresher training is delivered when procedures change or where monitoring indicates a need for improvement.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, work related ill health and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. Incidents are recorded and investigated to identify underlying causes and implement corrective actions. This helps us to learn from events and prevent recurrence.
Our teams are briefed on emergency procedures relevant to their work, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, vehicle collision or hazardous conditions. First aid kits are provided in vehicles and at our base, and at least one member of the team will be trained in basic first aid.
Welfare and Wellbeing
Camden Movers recognises that removal work can be physically demanding and, at times, stressful. We aim to organise work in a way that avoids excessive workloads, unsafe time pressure and prolonged or unnecessary strenuous tasks. Staff are encouraged to raise any health concerns so that adjustments can be considered.
Where appropriate, tasks are rotated to reduce strain and allow adequate breaks. We promote a culture where employees feel able to speak up about fatigue, discomfort or unsafe expectations without fear of criticism.
Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective for our services and operating environment. Changes in working practices, equipment, legislation or industry guidance are considered as part of this review.
Suggestions from employees and feedback from customers are welcomed as part of our commitment to continuous improvement. By working together, Camden Movers aims to maintain high standards of safety and reliability in every move we undertake.
