Health and Safety Policy for Storage Southborough
Storage Southborough is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, customers, visitors, and contractors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to preventing accidents, managing risks and promoting safe working practices in our storage facilities and removal operations.
1. Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to maintain high standards of health, safety and welfare across all of our activities, including storage, transport, removals, packing, loading and unloading. We aim to identify and control hazards, reduce risks as far as reasonably practicable, and foster a positive safety culture in which everyone accepts their responsibilities.
Senior management is responsible for ensuring that appropriate resources, training and supervision are provided so that this policy can be implemented and reviewed regularly. This policy is communicated to all employees and is available to customers and contractors upon request.
2. Legal Compliance and Responsibilities
Storage Southborough complies with applicable health and safety legislation, regulations and recognised industry standards relating to storage, warehousing, manual handling and removal services. We will monitor changes in relevant requirements and update our procedures and training accordingly.
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with senior management, who will ensure that systems are in place for planning, implementing, monitoring and reviewing safety measures. Day-to-day responsibility for specific areas or activities may be delegated to competent supervisors and team leaders.
All employees, whether permanent, temporary or agency staff, are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes cooperating fully with safety instructions, using equipment correctly, and reporting concerns immediately.
3. Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We undertake regular risk assessments for key activities, including handling customer goods, operation of storage areas, use of vehicles, and the movement of items during removals. These assessments identify hazards, evaluate risks and specify control measures to protect people and property.
Safe systems of work are developed and implemented on the basis of these risk assessments. They cover, for example, how items are stacked and stored, how vehicles are loaded, how access routes are maintained, and how equipment such as trolleys and lifting aids are used. These systems are reviewed periodically and following any accident, incident or significant change in operations.
4. Manual Handling and Removals Safety
The safe handling of items is fundamental to our storage and removal services. We recognise the risks of manual handling injuries and are committed to minimising them through training, planning and supervision.
Where possible, mechanical aids and trolleys are used to move heavy or bulky items. Employees are trained in correct lifting techniques, team lifting, and the safe use of handling equipment. Loads are assessed before being moved, and no employee is required to lift or carry anything that exceeds their capability or training.
During removal work, staff are instructed to assess access routes, identify obstacles or uneven surfaces, and agree a safe lifting and carrying plan before work starts. Particular care is taken on stairs, in tight spaces and around vehicles. Customers are asked to keep access routes clear and to follow the instructions of removal staff while work is carried out.
5. Storage Areas, Housekeeping and Access
Storage areas are maintained in a clean, orderly and secure condition. Aisles, walkways, emergency exits and access routes must be kept clear at all times to prevent trips, slips and falls and to allow for safe evacuation in an emergency.
Items are stored securely at appropriate heights and stability is checked to prevent falls from height or toppling goods. Heavy or bulky items should be placed at lower levels where practicable. Employees are required to report any damage, leaks, obstructions or unsafe conditions immediately so that prompt action can be taken.
Visitors and customers are required to comply with safety signs and instructions given by staff, and to remain in authorised areas only. Children must be supervised at all times while on site.
6. Vehicles, Driving and Loading
Our vehicles used for collection, delivery and removal work are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition in accordance with legal and manufacturer requirements. Drivers must hold appropriate licences, follow safe driving practices, and comply with company rules on fatigue, loading and route planning.
Vehicles are loaded and unloaded using safe techniques, with attention to load distribution, security of goods, and prevention of slips, trips and falls. Customers are asked not to enter vehicle loading areas unless directed by a member of staff. Only authorised personnel may operate vehicle tail lifts and any other mechanical equipment.
7. Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive appropriate health and safety training relevant to their role, including an induction covering general site rules, emergency procedures and accident reporting. Additional task-specific training is provided, for example, for manual handling, equipment use and vehicle operations.
Information about hazards, risks and control measures is communicated through verbal briefings, written procedures and safety signs. Supervisors monitor work practices to ensure that procedures are followed and that staff understand and apply their training.
8. Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses
All accidents, injuries, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible, whether they involve employees, customers, visitors or contractors. Accurate records are kept and investigated as appropriate to identify causes and prevent recurrence.
Where necessary, incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities in line with legal requirements. Lessons learned from investigations will be used to update risk assessments, work procedures and training programmes.
9. Emergency Preparedness and First Aid
Emergency procedures are in place for fire, serious accidents, medical emergencies and other foreseeable incidents. These procedures cover evacuation routes, assembly points and responsibilities for coordinating a response.
Designated staff receive first aid training and are provided with suitable equipment and facilities to deal with minor injuries and to support emergency services where needed. Customers and visitors must follow instructions given by staff during any emergency or drill.
10. Consultation, Review and Continuous Improvement
Storage Southborough is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in safety discussions. Management will consider their feedback when reviewing policies and procedures.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, facilities or legal obligations. Updated versions are communicated to staff and made available to customers and contractors.
By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, we aim to provide safe, efficient and reliable storage and removal services for all who use and work within our facilities.
