Norway Removals Health and Safety Policy

Norway Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all removal and related services, including packing, loading, transportation, unloading and storage.

Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment through effective planning, training and supervision. Health and safety is an integral part of how we operate and is given the same priority as quality and customer service.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Norway Removals will:

Identify, assess and control risks arising from our removal activities, including manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle movements and work in customers premises. Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards. Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to enable employees to carry out their work safely and competently. Maintain safe systems of work, safe equipment and a safe working environment. Investigate incidents and near misses to learn from them and prevent recurrence. Continuously improve our health and safety performance through regular review and monitoring.

Responsibilities and Management

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management. They are responsible for ensuring that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy, that arrangements are in place to manage risks, and that health and safety is considered in business planning and decision-making.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day implementation of this policy. They must ensure that work is planned safely, that staff understand their tasks and associated risks, and that agreed safety procedures are followed at all times. They must also ensure that any accidents, incidents or hazards are reported promptly.

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must follow safety instructions, use equipment properly, report unsafe conditions and cooperate with all health and safety measures introduced by Norway Removals.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Norway Removals conducts risk assessments for typical removal activities and for specific jobs where required. These assessments consider factors such as access routes, stairways, lifts, parking arrangements, load weights, fragile items, weather conditions and time constraints.

From these assessments, safe working practices are developed, including methods for lifting and carrying, use of trolleys and lifting aids, protection of customer property, and coordination between team members. Staff are trained in these methods and are expected to follow them consistently.

Before starting work at any location, the team will carry out a brief on-site review to identify any additional hazards and agree how to manage them. If work cannot be carried out safely, the team must stop and seek guidance from management.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a key part of removal work and can present significant risks if not managed correctly. Norway Removals provides training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, use of handling equipment and recognition of personal limits.

Where reasonably practicable, handling aids such as sack trucks, dollies, sliders and lifting straps are used to reduce the need for manual effort. Staff must use the equipment provided, ensure it is in good condition and report any defects immediately.

All tools, vehicles and other work equipment are maintained in a safe condition and inspected at appropriate intervals. Only trained and authorised personnel are permitted to operate specific equipment or vehicles.

Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety

Our vehicles are central to our services, and road safety is an essential part of our health and safety management. Norway Removals ensures that vehicles are regularly inspected, maintained and kept in a roadworthy condition.

Drivers receive appropriate training and are required to follow all road traffic laws and company driving standards. This includes safe loading and securing of goods, adherence to speed limits, consideration for other road users and taking adequate breaks to avoid fatigue.

Routes and schedules are planned to minimise risk, taking account of traffic conditions, access restrictions and safe parking arrangements near customer premises.

Working in Customers Premises

Our teams frequently work in homes, offices and other premises. Norway Removals is committed to protecting both our staff and the people present at these locations.

Care is taken to keep access routes clear, manage trip hazards such as loose cables and packing materials, and protect floors, walls and doorways. Where necessary, barriers or signs may be used to warn others of work in progress.

Our staff are instructed to act with courtesy and professionalism, to respect customer property and privacy, and to stop work if conditions become unsafe.

Information, Training and Supervision

Norway Removals provides initial and ongoing training for all employees appropriate to their role. This includes induction training, manual handling, use of equipment, safe driving practices, emergency procedures and reporting of accidents and near misses.

Supervision is provided to ensure that training is applied in practice and that standards are maintained. Refresher training is delivered when required, for example following an incident, introduction of new equipment or changes in working methods.

Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported without delay so that they can be recorded, investigated and, where necessary, acted upon. Norway Removals uses this information to identify trends, implement corrective actions and improve procedures.

We encourage open reporting and a positive safety culture, where employees feel able to raise concerns and suggest improvements without fear of blame when acting in good faith.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency arrangements are in place for situations such as fire, serious injury, vehicle accidents and hazardous conditions. Employees are briefed on what to do in an emergency, including how to summon assistance, evacuate safely and secure the work area where possible.

Vehicles and premises are equipped with appropriate emergency equipment, which is inspected and maintained regularly.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Norway Removals recognises that effective health and safety management benefits from the involvement of employees at all levels. We consult with staff on health and safety matters and consider their feedback when reviewing procedures and planning work.

This policy and the associated arrangements are reviewed regularly, and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, to ensure they remain suitable and effective. The latest version is made available to all employees and can be provided to customers on request.

By working together and maintaining high standards, Norway Removals aims to deliver safe, reliable removal services while protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.