Health and Safety Policy for Storage Thornton Heath
Storage Thornton Heath is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, visitors, contractors and customers. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage, handling, loading, unloading and removal activities carried out on our premises and at customer locations.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our operations. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to identify hazards, assess risks and implement effective control measures, with particular attention to manual handling, use of vehicles, lifting equipment, storage systems and access routes.
Health and Safety is an integral part of our business planning and service delivery for storage and removals. Management at all levels are responsible for promoting a positive safety culture and ensuring that safe systems of work are in place and followed.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Storage Thornton Heath will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, approved codes of practice and industry guidelines that apply to storage facilities and removal services. We will monitor changes in legislation and update our procedures and training as required to maintain compliance.
We will maintain appropriate records relating to risk assessments, training, inspections, incidents and any enforcement action, and make them available to relevant authorities when required.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for Health and Safety rests with senior management. They are responsible for ensuring that sufficient resources are allocated for the implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of this policy.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing safe systems of work, ensuring staff are trained and competent, carrying out and reviewing risk assessments, and addressing hazards in a timely and effective way.
All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must follow safety instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents promptly, and cooperate with any investigation or training requirements.
Contractors and agency workers engaged by Storage Thornton Heath must comply with this policy and any site-specific rules provided to them. They must ensure their own workers are properly trained and supervised and that their equipment is safe and suitable.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will carry out and regularly review risk assessments covering key activities, including but not limited to handling and moving goods, operating vehicles and lifting equipment, working in storage units, loading bays and access areas, and working at customer premises as part of removal services.
Based on these assessments, we will develop and maintain safe systems of work, method statements and clear instructions. Risk controls will follow the hierarchy of eliminating risks where feasible, substituting safer methods or equipment, implementing engineering controls, applying administrative controls such as training and supervision, and using personal protective equipment where necessary.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
As storage and removal activities often involve handling heavy or awkward loads, we place particular focus on safe manual handling. Employees will receive training in correct lifting and carrying techniques and in the use of trolleys, dollies and other handling aids. Team lifting will be used where items cannot be moved safely by one person.
Any mechanical handling or lifting equipment used on site or at customer locations will be suitable for its intended purpose, properly maintained and inspected at appropriate intervals. Only trained and authorised personnel will operate such equipment, and pre-use checks will be carried out as required.
Vehicles, Traffic and Access
We will manage vehicle movements on and around our premises to minimise risks to drivers, staff, contractors and visitors. This includes using designated loading areas where possible, maintaining clear traffic routes, and avoiding unnecessary reversing. Drivers are expected to follow site rules, observe speed restrictions and use appropriate signalling and guidance when manoeuvring.
Access routes, emergency exits and fire escape routes will be kept clear at all times. Floors and walkways will be kept in good condition and free from avoidable slip and trip hazards. Storage areas will be organised so that goods are stacked securely and safely.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Thornton Heath will provide all employees with appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to enable them to work safely and understand their responsibilities. This may include induction training, task-specific training for storage, removals and handling operations, refresher training at suitable intervals, and additional training when introducing new equipment, processes or procedures.
Safety information and instructions will be communicated clearly, including the use of signs where necessary. Supervisors will monitor working practices and intervene where unsafe acts or conditions are identified.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, near misses, dangerous occurrences and cases of work-related ill health must be reported promptly to management. We will investigate incidents to establish root causes and identify any improvements in equipment, procedures, training or supervision that may be required.
Where required, reportable incidents will be notified to the appropriate authorities in accordance with legal requirements. Lessons learned from incident investigations will be shared with relevant staff and incorporated into updated risk assessments and safe systems of work.
Emergency Preparedness
We will maintain suitable emergency arrangements for fire, first aid and other foreseeable emergencies that could arise in a storage and removal environment. This will include clearly marked emergency exits and assembly points, appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment, and designated first aid provisions.
Employees will be informed of emergency procedures and their roles during an evacuation or incident. Practice drills will be held at suitable intervals to ensure familiarity with emergency arrangements and to identify any areas for improvement.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We recognise that effective Health and Safety management relies on open communication and feedback. Employees are encouraged to raise health and safety concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safe working practices.
This policy and the associated procedures will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, equipment or legal requirements. We are committed to continually improving our Health and Safety performance and to maintaining safe conditions for all those who use our storage and removal services.
