Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Canary Wharf Movers
Canary Wharf Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our principles and practical measures to prevent accidents, injuries, and damage to property during all moving and handling operations.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our objectives are to prevent work-related injuries and ill health, protect customer premises and belongings, and promote a culture of safety awareness throughout the company. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance through regular review, communication, and staff engagement.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Canary Wharf Movers has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety policy. Management will provide appropriate resources, guidance, and supervision to support safe working practices. Managers are responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, safe systems of work are followed, and any identified hazards are addressed promptly.
Management will regularly review this policy, along with health and safety performance data, to ensure it remains suitable, effective, and aligned with current best practice in the removals industry.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including drivers, porters, supervisors, and office staff, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, and cooperate fully with health and safety instructions and training.
Staff are required to report hazards, near misses, accidents, or unsafe conditions to their line manager at the earliest opportunity. No employee should attempt a task that they consider unsafe or that they have not been trained to perform.
Risk Assessments and Safe Working Practices
Canary Wharf Movers conducts risk assessments for key activities such as lifting and carrying, loading and unloading vehicles, driving and parking, working in confined or restricted spaces, and operating in busy residential or commercial environments. The findings of these assessments inform our safe systems of work and are communicated to all relevant staff.
Before each job, staff are expected to assess the site, consider access routes, check for trip hazards, plan lifting methods, and identify any special risks related to the property or items being moved. Where necessary, additional controls will be put in place, such as using extra staff, specialist equipment, or modifying the planned approach.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core element of removal work. All staff involved in lifting and carrying receive training in safe manual handling techniques, including correct posture, team lifting, and the use of mechanical aids. Heavy, awkward, or high-value items are only handled by suitably trained personnel using appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies, straps, protective covers, and ramps.
All lifting and moving equipment is inspected regularly and maintained in good working order. Any defective equipment must be taken out of service immediately and reported to management. Employees are instructed never to exceed safe load limits or to improvise with unsuitable equipment.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are maintained to a high standard and inspected in line with legal and manufacturer requirements. Drivers must carry out daily vehicle checks, report defects without delay, and ensure that loads are evenly distributed and securely fastened before moving off.
All driving is carried out with consideration for road conditions, pedestrian activity, and local access restrictions. Drivers must follow company rules on safe driving, including adherence to speed limits, avoidance of distracted driving, and compliance with rest breaks to reduce fatigue.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Protecting customer property and ensuring the safety of the public are key priorities. Our teams take care to protect floors, walls, doors, and fixtures during packing and moving. Access routes are kept as clear as reasonably practicable, and where necessary, temporary barriers, warning signs, or spotters are used to manage risks in shared corridors, entrances, or car parks.
We aim to minimise noise, obstruction, and disruption during our work, and we take particular care in communal areas and busy environments where members of the public may be present.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All new employees receive induction training that includes an overview of this policy, site-specific hazards, emergency arrangements, and safe working procedures. Ongoing training is provided on manual handling, equipment use, vehicle safety, and incident reporting, with refresher sessions delivered as required.
Supervisors are responsible for monitoring working practices on site, correcting unsafe behaviour, and providing guidance and support to less experienced staff. Safety information and updates are communicated through briefings, toolbox talks, and internal notices.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported and recorded. Canary Wharf Movers investigates such events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. We encourage open reporting and do not tolerate any form of retaliation against staff who raise safety concerns in good faith.
Emergency procedures are explained to staff, including actions to take in the event of a fire, serious injury, vehicle collision, or other incident. Employees must familiarise themselves with escape routes, emergency contacts, and first aid arrangements at each site.
Occupational Health and Wellbeing
We recognise that removal work can be physically demanding. Canary Wharf Movers promotes health and wellbeing through safe workload planning, provision of suitable rest breaks, and attention to ergonomic working methods. Staff are encouraged to raise any health concerns that could affect their ability to work safely, so that reasonable adjustments can be considered.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, or company operations. Feedback from employees, customers, and other stakeholders is welcomed and used to improve our safety performance.
By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Canary Wharf Movers aims to ensure that every move is carried out safely, efficiently, and with respect for the wellbeing of everyone involved.
