Bow Removals Health and Safety Commitment

Bow Removals 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 removals and related services. This Health and Safety policy sets out our aims, responsibilities and procedures to minimise risks associated with moving, handling, transport and storage activities.

Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver every removal, whether for homes, offices or commercial premises. We work to comply with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice, and we review our arrangements regularly to support continual improvement.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our work. To achieve this, Bow Removals will identify and control risks linked to lifting and carrying, vehicle use, loading and unloading, working at height, packing, use of equipment and interactions with customers at their properties.

We aim to provide clear instructions, supervision, training and information to ensure that health and safety responsibilities are understood and followed at all levels of the company. We also encourage staff to raise concerns and suggestions so we can take timely and effective action.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Bow Removals has overall responsibility for ensuring that this Health and Safety policy is implemented and maintained. Management will allocate appropriate resources to health and safety, lead by example and actively promote safe working practices across all removal and storage operations.

Management responsibilities include conducting and reviewing risk assessments, maintaining suitable insurance, arranging staff training, ensuring that vehicles and equipment are inspected and serviced, and monitoring performance. Managers will investigate accidents, incidents and near misses to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, including permanent, temporary and agency 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. Staff are required to follow safe systems of work, use equipment correctly, cooperate with training and instructions, and report hazards, defects, accidents or near misses without delay.

Employees must not interfere with or misuse anything provided for their safety or the safety of others. This includes personal protective equipment, lifting aids, vehicle safety systems, securing straps, ramps and any other equipment provided for safe removals work.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Bow Removals undertakes risk assessments for its key activities, including manual handling of furniture and boxes, packing and wrapping, dismantling and reassembly, vehicle loading and unloading, use of trolleys and lifting aids, and work carried out on customer premises such as stairways, corridors and external access routes.

These assessments form the basis of our safe systems of work. When planning a move, we consider access restrictions, parking arrangements, likely weights and dimensions of items, use of shared areas and any specific customer needs. Where required, we carry out site visits and agree suitable arrangements in advance to reduce risks.

Manual Handling and Lifting

Manual handling is a core element of removals work and is treated as a key safety priority. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, use of trolleys, sack trucks and other aids, and in recognising loads or situations that require additional help or different methods of handling.

Where possible, we avoid unnecessary lifting by planning routes, using lifting aids and breaking down larger items. Heavy or awkward items such as pianos, safes, appliances and bulky furniture are assessed individually so the appropriate equipment and number of staff are allocated to the task.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition with regular inspections and servicing. Drivers are expected to comply with road traffic laws, operate vehicles courteously and safely, and complete any required daily vehicle checks. Loads are packed and secured carefully to prevent movement during transit and to avoid risks when doors are opened.

Parking and access for loading and unloading are planned to minimise risk to staff, customers and the public. This may include use of warning signs or cones where appropriate, taking particular care near busy roads, shared driveways, entrances and pedestrian routes.

Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Bow Removals provides suitable equipment for lifting, moving and protecting customers possessions, such as trolleys, skates, ramps, straps, blankets and covers. Equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if unsafe or damaged.

Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear and high visibility clothing where required, is provided as appropriate for the task and environment. Staff are instructed in correct use, storage and reporting of defects or wear.

Customer Premises and Public Areas

Our teams work with care and respect when operating in customers homes, offices and shared areas. We take steps to reduce slip, trip and fall risks by managing trailing cables, ramps, packaging materials and tools. When working in communal areas or public spaces, we consider the safety of other occupants and visitors at all times.

We seek the cooperation of customers in providing safe access, clear routes and information about any known hazards, such as uneven surfaces, loose flooring, restricted stairways or fragile structures. Where conditions are unsafe, work may be paused until risks are addressed.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive appropriate training for their role, including induction, manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety and customer care. Training needs are reviewed regularly, and refresher training is provided when necessary or when procedures change.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring safe working practices on site, offering guidance, correcting unsafe behaviour and ensuring that the agreed methods of work are followed. Clear communication within each removals team helps to coordinate activities safely.

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

Bow Removals encourages prompt reporting of all accidents, incidents and near misses, regardless of severity. This information is used to investigate underlying causes, identify trends and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

The Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated as needed to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, company operations or lessons learned from incidents. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed as part of our commitment to continuous improvement in safety performance.

Policy Communication and Review

This Health and Safety policy is communicated to all employees and made available to customers on request. Management ensures that the policy is understood, implemented and maintained at all levels of the business.

Bow Removals is committed to ongoing review of this policy and its supporting procedures to ensure they remain effective and appropriate for the nature and scale of our removals and related services.