Health and Safety Policy for Removals France

Removals France is committed to providing removal and relocation services in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. This policy describes how we manage health and safety during planning, loading, transport and delivery throughout our service areas.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by identifying and controlling risks associated with removal activities. Health and safety considerations are integral to how we plan jobs, train our teams, maintain vehicles and equipment, and interact with customers on site.

We aim to:

Minimise the risk of accidents and incidents during packing, lifting, carrying and transport. Provide clear guidance to staff on safe working methods. Ensure that vehicles and equipment are suitable, maintained and used correctly. Promote a positive safety culture where everyone takes responsibility for their own safety and that of others.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Removals France has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and reviewing its effectiveness. Management will:

Ensure that health and safety is considered in all business decisions. Provide appropriate resources for training, equipment and protective measures. Carry out, or arrange for, regular risk assessments of tasks, vehicles and working environments. Maintain records of incidents and near misses and use them to improve safety standards. Review this policy periodically and update it when necessary.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, including permanent and temporary staff, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of those who may be affected by their work. Staff are expected to:

Follow all training, instructions and safe systems of work. Use handling equipment and personal protective equipment correctly. Report any hazards, defects, near misses or incidents to their supervisor without delay. Refrain from horseplay, misuse of equipment or any behaviour that could put others at risk. Comply with traffic rules and safe driving practices when operating company vehicles.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before undertaking any removal job, Removals France conducts appropriate risk assessments, taking into account access routes, stairways, parking, loading areas, manual handling requirements and any special items such as pianos, safes or fragile goods. Where necessary, pre-move surveys are used to identify potential hazards and plan suitable control measures.

Safe working practices may include limiting load weights, using team lifting techniques, employing suitable lifting and securing equipment, and adjusting staffing levels for complex or heavy moves. Staff are instructed to stop work if they believe conditions are unsafe and to seek guidance before proceeding.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of removal work and presents a significant potential for injury if not managed properly. Removals France provides training in correct lifting and carrying techniques and encourages the use of mechanical aids and handling tools whenever reasonably practicable.

Equipment such as sack trucks, dollies, lifting straps, ramps and securing straps must be inspected before use and used in accordance with training. Defective or damaged equipment is to be removed from service immediately and reported so that it can be repaired or replaced.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Removals France maintains its vehicles to a high standard and requires all drivers to carry out pre-use checks before each journey. Loads must be distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit, taking into account the nature of the goods and road conditions in our operating areas.

Drivers must comply with road traffic regulations, adhere to speed limits and drive in a manner that is safe and considerate. Fatigue management, adequate rest breaks and avoidance of distractions while driving are essential elements of our approach to road safety.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

Our teams work in a variety of environments including private homes, apartment buildings, commercial premises and shared access spaces. We take care to avoid damage to property and to protect all persons who may be nearby during a removal.

Where appropriate, our crews will use warning signs, barriers or clear verbal communication to manage access and reduce the risk of trips, slips or collisions. We seek the cooperation of customers to keep access routes clear, supervise children and pets, and avoid entering active work zones.

Training, Information and Supervision

Removals France ensures that staff receive initial and ongoing training appropriate to their roles. This includes induction on health and safety policy, manual handling techniques, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, personal protective equipment and emergency procedures.

Supervisors are responsible for monitoring work on site, reinforcing safe behaviours and addressing unsafe practices promptly. Additional instruction is provided when new equipment, procedures or types of work are introduced.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment is issued where necessary to control residual risks that cannot be fully eliminated by other means. This may include safety footwear, gloves, high-visibility clothing and other items depending on the specific tasks and environment.

Employees must use any protective equipment provided and keep it in good condition. Defects or loss of equipment should be reported so that replacements can be arranged.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Response

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported as soon as practicable. Removals France will investigate events to determine causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Our teams are briefed on basic emergency procedures, including response to injuries, fire, spills and road incidents. Where necessary, first aid supplies are available in vehicles or on site, and arrangements are made for prompt contact with emergency services.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

Removals France is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. We review working practices, training needs and incident data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to the nature of our work, the risks we face or applicable health and safety expectations. Updated versions are communicated to staff so that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in maintaining a safe working environment.

By working together and maintaining a strong safety culture, Removals France aims to ensure that every removal is carried out as safely and efficiently as possible, protecting people, property and the reputation of our company.