Switzerland Removals Health and Safety Policy
Switzerland Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing safety risks associated with removals, packing, loading, transport, unloading, and storage services.
Our policy applies to all operations carried out by Switzerland Removals, including work at customers premises, along transport routes, and within any facilities we use. Safety is an integral part of our planning, decision-making, and day-to-day operations.
Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health, and to continually improve our safety performance. We seek to:
Identify and assess hazards associated with removals and related services, implement effective control measures, ensure staff are competent and properly trained, provide suitable equipment and protective measures, and promote a culture where safety is the responsibility of every person involved in our work.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this policy. This includes setting clear safety standards and expectations, providing appropriate resources for training, equipment, and supervision, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, and regularly reviewing performance and updating procedures as needed.
Managers and supervisors must ensure that risk assessments are carried out, safe systems of work are followed, and that employees understand and comply with health and safety requirements.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff must follow all safety instructions, training, and procedures provided by Switzerland Removals, use equipment correctly and not misuse or interfere with safety devices, wear appropriate personal protective equipment where required, report hazards, near-misses, accidents, and unsafe conditions promptly, and cooperate with management on all health and safety matters.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before undertaking removal work, we assess the risks associated with the premises, access routes, items to be moved, and any special conditions that may apply. Based on these assessments, we develop safe working methods to minimise risks such as manual handling injuries, slips, trips and falls, vehicle-related incidents, and damage to property or the environment.
Our teams are instructed to adapt working practices if conditions change, and to halt work if they consider it unsafe until further guidance is provided.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Moving and lifting items is central to removal services and is managed carefully to prevent injury. We train staff in correct lifting techniques, the use of appropriate handling aids, and the importance of team lifting for heavy or awkward items. Where necessary, we use specialised equipment such as trolleys, dollies, lifts, and hoists.
Staff are instructed to assess the weight, shape, and stability of each item before moving it, and to refuse to lift items that present unacceptable risk without suitable assistance or equipment.
Vehicles, Driving, and Transport Safety
Switzerland Removals maintains vehicles in safe working condition and carries out routine checks and servicing in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements. Drivers must hold the appropriate licences and are trained in safe loading, securing of loads, route planning, and defensive driving practices.
Loads are distributed and secured to prevent movement during transit, taking into account weight limits, access conditions, and the protection of customers belongings. Drivers are required to comply with speed limits, rest requirements, and all road safety rules in the areas where we operate.
Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
We provide equipment that is suitable for removal tasks and maintain it in good condition. Employees must visually inspect equipment before use, report defects immediately, and stop using any item that appears unsafe.
Where risk assessment identifies the need for personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear, or high-visibility clothing, staff must wear and maintain this equipment in accordance with instructions. Personal protective equipment is considered a last line of defence and is used in conjunction with other control measures.
Customer and Public Safety
In all locations where we work, we take steps to protect customers, visitors, and members of the public from harm. This includes controlling access to work areas where practicable, using clear communication with customers about safe distances and walkways, managing cables, equipment, and packing materials to reduce trip hazards, and handling items with care to avoid property damage and personal injury.
Our staff are instructed to act courteously and professionally at all times, and to prioritise safety over speed if the two are in conflict.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Switzerland Removals provides initial and ongoing training appropriate to each role, including induction training on health and safety responsibilities, task-specific training for packing, lifting, loading, and driving, instruction on emergency procedures and incident reporting, and refresher training when procedures, equipment, or regulations change.
Supervisors monitor working practices on site to ensure that training is applied in practice and that any unsafe behaviours are corrected promptly.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, and near-misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. We investigate such events to determine causes, identify any shortcomings in procedures or controls, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Records of incidents and investigations are retained to support ongoing improvement and to demonstrate compliance with relevant requirements.
Wellbeing and Occupational Health
We recognise the physical demands of removal work and take steps to support the wellbeing of our staff. This includes considering workload, rest breaks, and working hours, promoting safe working techniques to reduce strain and fatigue, and encouraging staff to report any health concerns that may affect their ability to work safely.
Where appropriate, adjustments may be made to tasks or duties to help employees work safely and effectively.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Switzerland Removals is committed to the continuous improvement of its health and safety performance. We review this policy at regular intervals and when there are significant changes in our operations, services, or applicable regulations.
Feedback from employees, customers, and other stakeholders is welcomed and used to refine our procedures and standards. By working together, we aim to ensure that every move is completed as safely and efficiently as possible.
