Health and Safety Policy for Storage East Sheen
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and arrangements that Storage East Sheen follows to provide a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, customers and visitors. Our operations include storage activities and associated removal and transport services, and we are committed to managing all related risks responsibly.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
Storage East Sheen is committed to preventing injury and ill health arising from our work activities. We will identify hazards, assess risks and implement suitable control measures to ensure that our premises, vehicles, equipment and working practices remain as safe as reasonably practicable.
We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards for storage and removal services. Continuous improvement is central to our approach; we regularly review our performance, policies and procedures to maintain high safety standards.
Responsibilities and Accountability
Overall responsibility for health and safety lies with the company management, who ensure that suitable resources, training and supervision are provided. Management will lead by example, promote a positive safety culture and make health and safety an integral part of planning and decision making.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for the day-to-day implementation of this policy. They must ensure that staff follow safe systems of work, use equipment correctly, report hazards promptly and cooperate with health and safety initiatives.
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. All staff must follow training and instructions, use protective equipment as required, and report unsafe conditions, near misses, accidents and incidents without delay.
Contractors and visiting workers are required to comply with this policy and any site-specific rules or instructions issued to them. Customers and visitors must follow safety signage, remain in permitted areas and cooperate with staff directions.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out regular risk assessments covering storage units, loading areas, vehicle movements, manual handling, lifting operations, use of equipment and general site conditions. These assessments identify hazards and set out control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work are developed for tasks such as loading and unloading vehicles, stacking and retrieving items, operating handling equipment and moving heavy or bulky goods during removal services. These procedures are communicated clearly to staff and are reviewed periodically or following any incident or significant change.
Safe Handling, Lifting and Storage
Storage East Sheen recognises that manual handling and lifting are key risks in storage and removal activities. We will minimise manual handling where reasonably practicable by using trolleys, pallet trucks and other mechanical aids, and by careful planning of lifting tasks.
All staff involved in lifting and handling receive appropriate training on safe techniques, load assessment and body positioning. Heavy, awkward or high-value items will be handled by enough competent personnel, and lifting operations will be planned to avoid sudden movements, trip hazards or unstable loads.
Stored goods must be stacked safely and securely to prevent collapse or obstruction of walkways. Racking, shelving and storage units will be used in line with manufacturer guidance and regular visual checks will be carried out to identify damage or overloading.
Vehicle and Traffic Safety
To protect staff, customers and visitors, we manage vehicle movements carefully on and around our premises. Designated loading and unloading areas are used for removal vehicles and other delivery vehicles. Where possible, pedestrian routes will be separated from traffic routes, and speed will be restricted on site.
Drivers must follow site rules, including parking instructions and reversing guidance. Where needed, staff will act as banksmen to guide vehicles safely when manoeuvring in tight spaces. Loads will be secured appropriately before vehicles move off to prevent shifting or falling during transit.
Workplace Environment and Welfare
We will maintain the storage environment, offices and service areas in a clean, orderly and safe condition. Floors, stairs and access routes will be kept clear of obstructions and cleaned regularly to reduce slip and trip risks. Lighting, ventilation and temperature will be maintained at a comfortable and safe level suitable for the work being carried out.
Suitable welfare facilities are provided, including toilets, washing facilities and areas for rest breaks. Drinking water is available and staff are encouraged to take adequate breaks, particularly during physically demanding work such as removals and heavy lifting.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage East Sheen takes fire safety seriously. We conduct fire risk assessments, maintain appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment, and ensure that escape routes remain clear and accessible at all times. Emergency exits and assembly points are clearly marked.
Staff receive instruction on what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency, including raising the alarm, evacuation procedures and assisting customers and visitors to reach a place of safety. Fire drills are carried out periodically to test and improve our arrangements.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. Accurate records are kept and are reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Where necessary, incidents will be investigated to determine root causes and to implement corrective actions.
We will communicate learning from incidents to relevant staff so that similar events can be prevented in the future. Serious incidents will be escalated in line with legal requirements and company procedures.
Training, Information and Consultation
Storage East Sheen provides appropriate health and safety training to all employees, including induction training for new starters and role-specific training for tasks such as manual handling, use of equipment and vehicle loading. Refresher training is provided as required.
Information on health and safety arrangements, risk assessments and site rules is made available to staff, contractors and, where relevant, customers. We encourage open communication on safety matters and will consult employees on significant changes that may affect their health and safety.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current, effective and aligned with legal requirements and best practice in the storage and removal sectors. Reviews will also take place following any major change in operations, premises or organisation, or after any serious incident.
By working together and following this policy, everyone at Storage East Sheen contributes to a safe and healthy environment for all who use our storage and removal services.
