Health and Safety Policy for Storage Lower Clapton
Storage Lower Clapton is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors, contractors and any other persons who may be affected by our storage and removal activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks and promoting a culture of safety in all aspects of our work.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aim of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our operations. Our objectives are to identify, assess and control hazards associated with storage, handling, transportation and access, and to continually improve our health and safety performance.
We seek to:
Provide and maintain safe storage facilities and equipment. Implement safe systems of work for loading, unloading, lifting, carrying and moving goods. Ensure that all staff are competent and appropriately trained. Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage active participation. Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for health and safety within Storage Lower Clapton. Management will provide appropriate resources to implement this policy and will ensure that health and safety considerations are integrated into planning and decision making at all levels.
Management will:
Monitor and review health and safety performance regularly. Ensure suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for storage and removal activities. Provide clear instructions, safety information and supervision. Ensure that accidents, incidents and near misses are reported, recorded and investigated, and that corrective actions are implemented where required.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including temporary and agency staff, have 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.
Employees must:
Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided. Correctly use equipment, tools and personal protective equipment supplied. Report any hazards, unsafe conditions, near misses, accidents or incidents promptly to their manager or supervisor. Cooperate with management to enable compliance with health and safety obligations. Refrain from interfering with or misusing anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will carry out and maintain written risk assessments for key activities, including handling and moving items, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, vehicle movements, working at height where applicable, and storage of goods within units and vehicles.
Safe systems of work will be developed and implemented for higher risk tasks, particularly for removal and loading operations where manual handling and vehicle movements must be carefully controlled. All staff involved in these activities will be trained in the relevant procedures and their understanding will be periodically checked.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of storage and removal operations. To minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, we will:
Assess manual handling tasks and avoid or mechanise lifting where reasonably practicable. Provide training on correct lifting techniques and safe handling practices. Use appropriate equipment such as trolleys, sack trucks and lifting aids where possible. Plan removal and storage jobs to reduce excessive carrying distances and awkward access routes.
Vehicles, Transport and Access
Vehicle and pedestrian movements at our facilities and during collections and deliveries will be planned and controlled to reduce the risk of collision or injury.
We will:
Ensure designated loading and unloading areas are used wherever possible. Encourage safe reversing practices and use of guidance where needed. Keep access routes, stairways and walkways clear and in good condition. Ensure that any vehicles used for removal services are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition in accordance with relevant requirements.
Storage Areas and Housekeeping
Safe storage and good housekeeping are essential to prevent accidents such as slips, trips, falls, and falling objects. Storage Lower Clapton will ensure that:
Storage areas are kept tidy, well organised and adequately lit. Loads are stacked safely and within recommended height and weight limits. Fire exits, emergency routes and access to equipment are not blocked. Floors are maintained in good condition and spillages are cleaned promptly.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We will maintain appropriate fire safety arrangements and emergency procedures for our premises. This includes:
Providing and maintaining suitable fire detection and firefighting equipment. Clearly marking emergency exits and ensuring they are unobstructed. Displaying fire action notices and emergency instructions. Conducting periodic checks and drills where appropriate to ensure that staff know how to respond in an emergency.
Training, Information and Supervision
All staff will receive induction training on health and safety requirements relevant to their role, including safe working practices in storage and removal operations. Additional task-specific training will be provided where necessary, such as manual handling, use of equipment, and emergency procedures.
Supervisors will monitor working practices to ensure that safety procedures are followed and will provide ongoing guidance and refresher training as required.
Welfare, Health and Wellbeing
We recognise the importance of supporting the general health and wellbeing of our employees. Suitable welfare facilities will be provided, and working arrangements will, as far as reasonably practicable, take account of any medical or fitness issues reported that may affect an individual’s ability to carry out physically demanding tasks such as removal and storage work.
Consultation and Communication
Storage Lower Clapton is committed to open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are encouraged to raise any concerns, suggestions or questions regarding safe working practices, equipment or conditions. Management will consult with staff on significant changes to working methods, equipment or premises that may affect health and safety.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy will be monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals, or sooner if there are significant changes in our operations, legislation or best practice. Findings from incident investigations, inspections and staff feedback will be used to improve our procedures and reduce risk.
By following this policy and working cooperatively, Storage Lower Clapton aims to maintain safe storage and removal services and to protect everyone who interacts with our business.
