Policies

Health and Safety Policy Statement

• Removalex considers the health and safety of its employees, customers, and members of the public to be of fundamental importance. We therefore aim to ensure throughout all company operations that it achieves the highest reasonably practical standards of health and safety.
• Removalex has a responsibility to ensure, as far as is reasonably practical, the health, safety, and prevention of injuries to all employees whilst at work. In accepting this responsibility, the Company will as far as be reasonably practical, strive to:
• Provide and maintain systems at work that are safe and without risks to health.
• Ensure safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage, and transport.
• Provide such information, instruction, training, and supervision as is necessary to promote the health and safety of its employees.
• Provide and maintain workplaces in a condition that are safe and without risk to health, including safe means of access.
• Provide and maintain work environments that are safe, without risks to health and with adequate facilities and arrangements for employee’s welfare at work.
• Ensure that Company employees are fit for the work they are required to do. Ensure that disability is prevented and loss of working time due to injury or illness is minimal.
• Employees are reminded that they have a legal responsibility to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others by adopting the safe working practices given to them in either written or verbal communication, such that they do not put themselves, fellow employees, or guests at risk.
• With a view to promoting good practices covering health and safety at work, the Company requires the co-operation and encourages the involvement of all members of the organisation.
• Safe and healthy working conditions and systems can only be achieved by the combined effort of all employees regardless of their status in the Company. Every employee has a duty to co-operate with the Company in ensuring that the Statutory Legislation and Codes of Practice are complied with and to use any protective equipment provided. Employees must take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of people who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
• Employees must inform their direct manager of any hazards of which they are aware, in order that appropriate action can be taken.
• Employees must report any incidents that have led to injury and ensure they are recorded in the accident book. It is also the responsibility of every member of management to ensure that the legal duties and the Company policy requirements are fully implemented.

Health & Safety Policy

• Removalex Ltd. maintain a policy to promote health and safety at work and to encourage the full co-operation of all employees for that purpose.
• The company will provide working conditions which comply with the relevant statutory requirements and officially approved codes of practice designed to ensure good standards of health and safety.
• Although the company operates in an industry that is of low risk, injuries and illnesses can happen in any environment and it is the Management’s objective to reduce the incidence of these to an absolute minimum, not merely in keeping with, but surpassing, the best experience in other similar organisations.
• These are typical hazards to illustrate the point, however, there are also numerous others. ALWAYS THINK SAFETY. All accidents MUST be reported and logged in the Accident Book, and damage to property, clothing or equipment must be reported. Work must always be carried out safely and efficiently in accordance with Company procedures. If you have any queries or suggestions that you would like to put forward, please notify your manager.
• Responsibility Structure
• Management will be responsible for implementing and/or delegating Company Health and Safety Policy to all employees under their responsibility by:

• Making sure that employees are aware of and carry out their Health and Safety duties and make regular checks to ensure they understand and are following the right operating instructions and systems of work.
• Ensure that employees (especially new to their job) are aware of and understand any hazards they might face.
• Encourage employee interest in Health and Safety matters and see that procedures are understood through regular employee feedback.
• Make sure that employees under their control receive information relating to Health and Safety at work.
  All Employees should consider their own health and safety and that of other employees along with members of the public. They must:
• Be aware of their legal responsibilities for fire precautions and health and safety at work and co-operate fully with the Company in maintaining standards.
• Not interfere with or misuse any fire and health and safety equipment provided.
• Wear or use protective clothing/equipment if required to do so by the company or by law.
• Report to their supervisor or manager if they have stomach disorder, skin, nose, or throat disease, which may be contagious or infectious or if they know they have been in contact anyone suffering from food borne disease.
• Report or put right any unsafe working conditions, equipment, or practices.
• Be clean and hygienic.
• Attend training sessions and follow procedures.
• Ensure that correct lifting techniques are always used.

Environmental Policy

At Removalex Limited, we are committed to minimise the environmental impact of our operations and we take all necessary steps to comply with environmental legislation and standards. We promote responsibility for the environment within the organisation and communicate and implement this policy at all levels within the workforce.
In practice this means:

• We promote recycling or re-use of packing materials.
• Once unpacked we collect the boxes from customer to be used again or recycled free of charge, if possible, to do so.
• We dispose of unusable waste in a safe manner that minimises any long-term environmental impact.
• also, the cardboard we use is biodegradable; all the polystyrene packaging we use is also biodegradable.
• We ensure all company vehicles are designed and maintained to give the maximum fuel efficiency and minimum emissions.
• We plan routes and vehicle loads to maximise efficiency and minimise the impact on the environment.
• All our employees, suppliers and contractors work with us to prevent pollution and minimise the impact on the environment.
• We recycle our office waste and turn off our computers at night to minimise our electricity consumption.
  Top management is committed to continual improvement in environmental performance and the prevention of pollution; a self-evaluation of performance in implementing these principles and in complying with all applicable laws and regulations is carried out annually.
  When Removals Expert, you can rest assured that we will do everything possible to minimise the environmental impact of your move.

Risk Assessments

In accordance with health & safety legislation and following our recent discussions I have drawn what is known as a risk assessment to minimise the possibilities of any accidents to employees or members of the public. I would ask you to read though the assessment very carefully and bring to my attention any action points you feel may be difficult to implement for any reason. As you are aware I take health & safety matters very seriously and would therefore welcome any feedback. Please be aware that this assessment is to be implemented with immediate effect.

The Van

• Please ensure seatbelts are always worn even on the shortest of journeys. If carrying passengers, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that they are wearing seatbelts as well.
• Only one person (the same person) is responsible for loading/unloading the vehicle as that person will then be aware of any potential loading/unloading hazards. The same person must be responsible for the safe operation of the tail-lift. Members of the public must not be allowed to use the tail-lift or enter the removal vehicle at any time when loading.
• Loaders must make every effort to ensure the safety of their load by using webbing and or loading bars to minimise the risk of anything falling in transit or when stationary.
• Drivers keep to the speed limits and take as many breaks as possible if on a long trip. Do not drive tired under any circumstances. It is not advisable to use the fast lane of the motorway if loaded. If two drivers are working, then the burden of driving must be shared equally.
• Drivers are also required to check tyres and tyre pressure water, oil levels, lights etc on a weekly basis and before every journey.
• Use the light in the rear of the van during hours of darkness (please put security bar on vehicle as engine will need to be kept running).
• All staff to be aware of height restriction in van and width restriction.
• Drivers must ensure a team member sees them back when reversing on every occasion.
• When loading/unloading on an incline or slope, it is all staff’s responsibility to ensure vehicle is left in gear with handbrake firmly on. Also, place blocks under back wheels. There is a VERY SERIOUS risk of death by crushing if the handbrake fails and the vehicle moves back.
• When loading/unloading You have been given a copy of getting to grips with manual handling but here are the main points for the purpose of the risk assessment.
• The Team leader responsible for job must carry out a risk assessment before starting work and ensuring all team members are aware of any potential hazards. Such risks are described in the risk assessment and include slippery steps, dangerous traffic etc where safety jackets should be worn.
• If any boxes are too heavy and have been over packed by the customer, then it makes sense to share the burden by carrying the box with another team member.
• Please ensure that all pathways/corridors are free of any obstacles including our equipment and the customers effects. Pick up all litter and place in a bin.
• Team members must attempt to minimise the risk of slipping when working on decking (in gardens) and or slippery steps (moss gathering on them). Please avoid such areas or attempt to use a different route. Each team member must make every effort to warn his/her colleagues when working in such conditions.
• Do not block up public rights of way with vehicle or equipment. Disabled, mothers with children and partially sighted need to use the pavement as well! There is also a risk that they may injure themselves by falling over what has been left behind (boxes, our equipment, customer effects etc.).
• If working with ladders there must be at least one person holding the ladder and it must be webbed onto the building if possible.
• Do not pack any hazardous effects that include gas bottles, flammables (petrol, white spirits, paraffin etc).
• Ensure that all broken glass or ceramic is disposed of carefully by wrapping in paper or directly placing into bins.
• Be aware that all sofa beds have the potential to harm (as bed mechanism can trap fingers). Best remove frame or tie up frame in bed very securely and avoid placing fingers where may get caught in mechanism. Also, glass or wooden sliding doors on cabinets can trap fingers. Even if you are aware of this your team member may not be so, please double check with him/her to ensure that he/she is aware of the danger.
• If you smoke do not smoke in warehouse and please dispose of cigarette butts away from customers home as surprisingly leaves a bad impression and will not do your tip potential any good! Make sure that they are out and put them in bin or at least well away from customer’s house.
• Use gloves when loading appliances such as washing machines because of sharp edges.
• When placing tall items of furniture in the home such as bookcases please ensure these items are left leaning on a wall as there is a risk they may fall forwards onto a child or other person.
• Very often we are working in an environment with small children. Please consider the many dangers that pose a threat to children. These include boxes and furniture that can easily topple over (do not stack boxes too high) and children playing on van or with our equipment. You must carefully remind our customers that it is their responsibility to ensure that children are supervised and kept well away from the areas that we are working in.
• Finally, all accidents must be reported to me so that they can be recorded in the accident book.