Health and Safety policy
Bow Movers Health and Safety Policy
Bow Movers is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and relocation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks, preventing injury and ill health, and promoting a culture of safety throughout every stage of our moving services.
Health and safety is an integral part of the way we plan, organise, and deliver every move, from small domestic removals to complex commercial relocations. We aim to meet or exceed all relevant legal and industry requirements and to continually improve our performance.
Our Health and Safety Commitments
Bow Movers is committed to:
Identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards associated with lifting, carrying, loading, transport, and unloading of goods. Providing and maintaining safe equipment, vehicles, and work systems. Ensuring that all employees receive appropriate health and safety training, information, and supervision. Promoting safe manual handling practices to minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Maintaining clear communication with customers about access, parking, and any site-specific risks. Investigating incidents and near misses to prevent recurrence and improve our procedures. Consulting with employees on health and safety matters and encouraging feedback to support continuous improvement.
Roles and Responsibilities
Bow Movers recognises that effective health and safety management relies on clear responsibilities at every level of the business.
Management is responsible for providing leadership, resources, and support to ensure that this policy is implemented and kept up to date. Management will ensure that risk assessments are carried out, safe systems of work are developed, and staff have the training and equipment they need to work safely.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day implementation of safe working practices on site and in transit. They must ensure that crews follow agreed procedures, use equipment correctly, and report any hazards or incidents immediately.
All employees are responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow training and instructions, use equipment properly, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and report hazards, accidents, or near misses without delay.
Customers are encouraged to cooperate by providing accurate information about access, parking, property layout, and any known risks such as fragile structures, low ceilings, or restricted stairways, to help us plan safe working methods.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Bow Movers carries out risk assessments to identify potential hazards associated with moving and handling furniture, appliances, and other items in homes, offices, and storage locations. These assessments inform our safe systems of work, which are communicated to all relevant staff.
Key areas of focus include safe manual handling, prevention of slips, trips, and falls, vehicle loading and securing of loads, use of trolleys, lifting aids, and other equipment, safe use of ramps, steps, and lifts, management of heavy, awkward, or bulky items, and protection of both property and people during the move.
Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and when there are changes in work practices, equipment, or the type of moves we undertake.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is central to removal work and carries inherent risks. Bow Movers is committed to reducing these risks by:
Providing training on safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of equipment. Planning moves to minimise unnecessary lifting and carrying distances. Using appropriate handling aids including trolleys, dollies, straps, and protective covers where suitable. Matching tasks to the capabilities of team members and avoiding unsafe lone lifting of heavy or awkward items. Ensuring that all equipment is maintained in good working order and inspected regularly.
Staff must not attempt to move items that exceed safe weight or size limits without assistance, and must stop work if they consider a task to be unsafe until a safer method is identified.
Vehicles, Driving, and Transport Safety
Safe driving and transport are essential to our removal operations. Bow Movers will:
Ensure that vehicles are roadworthy, regularly serviced, and inspected. Provide guidance on safe driving practices, including journey planning and rest breaks. Ensure that loads are packed, balanced, and secured to prevent movement in transit. Require all drivers to hold appropriate licences and follow road traffic laws. Promote safe parking and unloading practices to protect staff, customers, and the public.
Drivers must report any vehicle defects, incidents, or near misses immediately so that corrective action can be taken.
Personal Protective Equipment and Welfare
Where hazards cannot be fully eliminated by other means, Bow Movers provides suitable personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, and hi-visibility clothing where required. Employees are responsible for using and looking after this equipment and reporting any damage or defects.
We also recognise the importance of welfare arrangements, including access to drinking water, rest breaks, and appropriate facilities during longer jobs, to support the health, wellbeing, and alertness of our teams.
Training, Communication, and Consultation
We provide induction and ongoing training to ensure that employees understand this policy, the risks associated with their work, and the controls in place to manage those risks. Training is refreshed periodically and when new equipment or working methods are introduced.
Bow Movers communicates health and safety information through briefings, toolbox talks, and written guidance. We encourage staff to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and participate in developing safer ways of working.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible. Bow Movers investigates these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Lessons learned are shared with staff to prevent recurrence and enhance our overall safety performance.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to the services we provide. Updates are communicated to all employees so that safety remains at the core of our removal operations.
