Health and Safety Policy for Storage Haggerston
Storage Haggerston is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage, handling, transportation, removals, and related activities carried out on our premises or at customer locations.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health arising from our work activities. We will maintain safe working conditions, implement effective systems of work, and promote a culture where safety is an integral part of everyday operations. Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety, and every employee is expected to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Scope of the Policy
This policy applies to all operations undertaken by Storage Haggerston, including storage, packing, handling of goods, loading and unloading vehicles, removal and transport activities, office-based work, and any work carried out on customer premises. It covers all employees, agency staff, contractors and visitors who may be affected by our activities.
Legal Compliance and Standards
Storage Haggerston will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and codes of practice applicable to our operations. We will review changes in legal requirements and industry standards and update our procedures where appropriate to ensure ongoing compliance.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with senior management, who will provide adequate resources, information, instruction, training and supervision to enable the implementation of this policy.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that:
They implement safe systems of work and enforce company procedures.
Risk assessments are carried out, recorded and regularly reviewed.
Employees receive appropriate training and are competent to undertake their tasks safely.
Any health and safety concerns are addressed promptly.
Employees have a duty to:
Work safely and follow all health and safety instructions and procedures.
Use equipment and personal protective equipment correctly.
Report hazards, accidents, near misses and unsafe practices immediately.
Cooperate with management in all matters of health and safety.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will identify hazards associated with our storage and removal services, evaluate the risks and implement control measures to reduce those risks so far as is reasonably practicable. Risk assessments will cover, as appropriate:
Manual handling of furniture, boxes and heavy or awkward items.
Use of trolleys, lifting equipment and vehicles.
Working in storage units, warehouses and loading bays.
Work carried out at customer properties, including access, parking and internal movement of goods.
Office activities, including display screen equipment and general housekeeping.
Safe systems of work will be developed and communicated to all relevant staff. These will be periodically reviewed to reflect changes in our operations or new risks identified.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a significant part of storage and removal activities. We will minimise manual lifting wherever possible by using mechanical aids such as sack trucks, dollies and lifting equipment. Where manual handling is unavoidable, employees will be trained in safe lifting techniques and team lifting methods. Loads must be assessed for weight, size and stability before lifting, and employees must not attempt to lift or move items beyond their capability.
Vehicles, Driving and Transport
For removal and delivery operations, we will ensure that vehicles are maintained in a safe condition and used in accordance with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements. Drivers must hold the appropriate licences, be medically fit to drive and follow company driving rules. Loads must be properly secured, and loading and unloading must be carried out safely, paying particular attention to preventing falls, trips, crush injuries and damage to property.
Equipment and Maintenance
All equipment, including storage systems, trolleys, lifting aids and any machinery, will be inspected and maintained in good working order. Defective equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of use until repaired or replaced. Only trained and authorised personnel may use specialist equipment.
Premises Safety and Housekeeping
Storage Haggerston will maintain clean, orderly and well-lit premises. Access routes, fire exits and emergency escape routes must be kept clear at all times. Floors and stairs should be kept free from obstructions, spillages and trip hazards. Signage will be used to indicate hazards, prohibited areas and emergency arrangements.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We will implement and maintain fire safety measures appropriate to our premises and operations. This includes suitable fire detection and alarm systems, clearly marked escape routes, fire extinguishers and regular checks of fire safety equipment. Employees will receive instruction on fire procedures, including evacuation routes and assembly points. Fire drills will be carried out and recorded at regular intervals.
Health, Welfare and First Aid
We will provide appropriate welfare facilities, including toilets, washing facilities, drinking water and rest areas. Adequate first aid equipment will be provided and maintained, and suitably trained first aiders will be available during working hours. All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported and recorded, and where necessary investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees will receive an induction that includes relevant health and safety information for their role. Additional task-specific training will be provided for manual handling, vehicle use, equipment operation, working at height and other higher-risk activities as applicable. Refresher training will be provided where needed. Supervisors will monitor working practices to ensure that safe systems of work are followed.
Contractors and Visitors
Contractors working on our premises will be required to comply with this policy and any site-specific rules. They must provide evidence of their own health and safety arrangements when requested. Visitors will be given appropriate safety information and, where relevant, will be accompanied by a member of staff while on site.
Consultation and Communication
Storage Haggerston encourages open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safety procedures. Information on health and safety performance and changes to procedures will be communicated through meetings, briefings and written notices.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
We will monitor our health and safety performance by reviewing accident records, near misses, inspection reports and feedback from staff and customers. Where shortcomings are identified, we will take prompt action to rectify them. This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, to ensure it remains effective and appropriate for Storage Haggerston and the services we provide.
