Health and Safety Policy for Storage St Pauls Cray
Storage St Pauls Cray is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, customers, visitors and any other persons who may be affected by our storage and removal activities. We recognise our duties under relevant health and safety legislation and are dedicated to continuous improvement in managing health and safety across our operations.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our storage and moving services. We will identify and control risks associated with handling, transporting, storing and accessing goods, including domestic and commercial items handled as part of removal and storage services.
This policy provides a framework for setting, reviewing and achieving health and safety objectives, ensuring that safe working practices are integral to all business decisions and day-to-day activities.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for health and safety within Storage St Pauls Cray. Management will:
Ensure suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for storage, loading, unloading, handling of goods, and vehicle movements associated with removal services.
Provide and maintain safe premises, plant and equipment, including storage units, trolleys, lifting aids and vehicles.
Ensure that employees receive adequate information, instruction, training and supervision to carry out their work safely.
Allocate appropriate resources to maintain and improve health and safety performance.
Regularly review this policy and associated procedures to ensure they remain effective and up to date.
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 acts or omissions. Employees must:
Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided by Storage St Pauls Cray.
Use equipment, personal protective equipment and vehicles correctly and report any defects immediately.
Cooperate with management in complying with legal duties and company policies.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards promptly so that corrective actions can be taken.
Refrain from any behaviour that could compromise safety, including unsafe lifting, horseplay or ignoring traffic management rules on site.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will identify hazards related to our storage and removal operations, evaluate the associated risks and implement appropriate control measures. Particular attention will be given to:
Manual handling of furniture, boxes and equipment, ensuring proper lifting techniques and use of mechanical aids where practical.
Vehicle movements, including vans and larger removal vehicles, with clear traffic routes, loading areas and pedestrian walkways.
Use of trolleys, pallet trucks and other handling equipment, ensuring they are suitable, maintained and used by trained staff.
Storage unit access, including safe stacking of goods, adequate lighting and clear escape routes.
Fire risks, electrical safety and secure storage of any hazardous substances used on site.
Safe systems of work will be documented where appropriate and communicated to all relevant employees. These systems will be reviewed following any significant change in operations, equipment or layout.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage St Pauls Cray will provide appropriate health and safety training to all employees. Training will include:
Induction training covering general site safety, emergency procedures and reporting processes.
Task specific training for manual handling, use of lifting equipment, driving and operating vehicles, and safe use of storage facilities.
Refresher training where necessary, particularly following incidents, changes in procedures or introduction of new equipment.
Information on health and safety arrangements will be communicated clearly and in a timely manner. Supervisors and managers will monitor working practices and provide ongoing guidance and support to ensure that safety standards are maintained.
Consultation and Communication
We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in health and safety discussions. Management will consult with employees or their representatives on significant changes that may affect health and safety, including changes to layout, equipment or working procedures in both storage and removal operations.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported and recorded. We will investigate such events to determine root causes and implement corrective and preventive actions.
Clear emergency procedures are in place, including evacuation routes, assembly points, fire safety arrangements and procedures for dealing with spills or other hazardous situations. These procedures will be communicated to employees and displayed on site. Regular drills and checks will be carried out to ensure that emergency arrangements remain effective.
Welfare, Housekeeping and Site Standards
We will provide appropriate welfare facilities, including toilets, washing facilities and rest areas. Good housekeeping is essential for safety and efficiency, particularly in storage environments and during removal activities. We will ensure:
Walkways, loading bays and access routes are kept clear of obstacles.
Goods are stacked and stored safely, avoiding overloading or unstable piles.
Spillages, waste and debris are dealt with promptly and disposed of safely.
Lighting, ventilation and temperature are maintained at reasonable levels where practicable.
Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
Storage St Pauls Cray is committed to monitoring health and safety performance and driving continuous improvement. We will:
Carry out inspections of storage areas, vehicles and equipment.
Review accident and incident data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Audit compliance with procedures and implement action plans where needed.
Update this policy regularly to reflect changes in legislation, best practice and the nature of our storage and removal services.
Policy Review and Authority
This Health and Safety Policy is approved by senior management and applies to all locations where Storage St Pauls Cray operates. It will be reviewed at least annually, and sooner if there are significant changes in activities, structure or relevant legal requirements. All employees, contractors and relevant third parties will be informed of any significant revisions.
By working together and following the principles outlined in this policy, Storage St Pauls Cray aims to maintain a safe and healthy working environment that supports efficient and reliable storage and removal services for all customers.
