Health and Safety policy
Barnes Movers Health and Safety Policy
Barnes Movers is committed to providing professional removal services in a manner that safeguards the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with household and commercial removals, packing, loading, transport and delivery activities.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our operations. Health and safety considerations are integral to the planning and delivery of every removal project, from initial survey through to final delivery and completion.
We comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and relevant industry standards, and we aim to continually improve our performance through monitoring, training and review.
Responsibilities
The management of Barnes Movers has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented, maintained and communicated to all employees and contractors. Management will provide the leadership, resources and support needed to promote a positive health and safety culture across the company.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing safe working practices on site, ensuring that staff follow agreed procedures and that any hazards or incidents are reported promptly.
Every employee and contractor working for Barnes 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. All personnel must:
• Follow safe systems of work, training and instructions provided
• Use equipment and personal protective equipment correctly
• Report hazards, near misses, accidents and unsafe conditions
• Cooperate with management to achieve the aims of this policy
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We identify and manage health and safety risks through systematic risk assessments covering our typical moving and handling activities, vehicle operations, storage and on-site work in residential and commercial properties.
Risk assessments are conducted and reviewed regularly, particularly when new equipment, vehicles, work methods or service types are introduced. Findings from risk assessments are used to develop safe systems of work and clear operating procedures for our teams.
Site-specific risks, such as restricted access, staircases, lifts, traffic routes, fragile structures or shared premises, are evaluated before work begins. Where necessary, additional control measures such as extra staff, specialised equipment or revised access routes are put in place to manage these risks.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of removal work and is recognised as a significant risk area. Barnes Movers reduces manual handling risks by:
• Planning lifts and moves in advance
• Using handling aids such as sack trucks, dollies, sliders and lifting straps where appropriate
• Applying team lifting techniques for heavy or awkward items
• Providing training on safe lifting and carrying practices
All handling equipment and tools are selected, used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer instructions and health and safety requirements. Defective equipment is taken out of service immediately and reported for repair or replacement.
Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety
Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular inspections and servicing in line with legal requirements and company procedures. Only authorised and competent drivers are permitted to operate company vehicles.
We promote safe driving practices, including route planning, adherence to speed limits and traffic laws, securing loads correctly, and avoiding fatigue. Drivers must carry out pre-use checks and report any defects or concerns without delay.
During loading and unloading, we take care to control vehicle movements, minimise reversing, and manage interaction between vehicles, staff, customers and the public to prevent accidents.
Workplace and On-Site Safety
Whether working at our own premises, at customer properties or in shared buildings, we strive to maintain a safe environment. This includes:
• Keeping walkways and work areas clear and tidy
• Controlling trip hazards such as loose packaging materials
• Using warning signs or barriers when appropriate
• Taking care with doors, lifts, staircases and access routes
• Minimising noise, disruption and obstruction to others on site
Particular care is taken when handling large or bulky items in confined or complex spaces to prevent impact, falls, structural damage or harm to people nearby.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive induction training covering company health and safety rules, emergency procedures, accident reporting and safe working expectations. Further role-specific training is provided for removal operatives, drivers, supervisors and office-based staff as required.
Training topics may include manual handling techniques, use of equipment, safe loading and securing of goods, working at height where applicable, vehicle safety, and use of protective equipment. Refresher training is delivered periodically and when work methods or legislation change.
Supervision is provided to ensure that procedures are followed correctly, particularly for new or inexperienced staff and on higher-risk tasks or sites.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents, injuries, near misses and hazardous occurrences must be reported promptly to management. We investigate these events to identify immediate and underlying causes and to implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
We maintain appropriate records of accidents and incidents and, where required, report them to the relevant authorities in accordance with legal requirements.
Emergency Preparedness
We maintain clear procedures for dealing with emergencies, including fire, vehicle incidents, injury and sudden illness. Staff are informed of emergency arrangements and their responsibilities on our premises and are expected to familiarise themselves with local emergency procedures at customer sites.
Basic first aid equipment is available in our vehicles or on site as appropriate, and designated personnel are trained to provide initial assistance until professional help is available.
Consultation and Communication
Barnes Movers consults with employees on health and safety matters and encourages feedback on how to improve working conditions and procedures. Information on health and safety performance, changes in legislation and revised procedures is communicated through briefings, notices and regular updates.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
We monitor compliance with this policy through site inspections, audits, incident trends and feedback from staff and customers. Management reviews health and safety performance periodically to identify areas for improvement.
This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when required by changes in our operations, legislation or best practice. All employees are expected to support the effective implementation of this policy so that Barnes Movers can continue to deliver safe, reliable and professional removal services.
