Storage Harold Hill Health and Safety Policy
Storage Harold Hill is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors, contractors and anyone else who may be affected by our storage and removal activities. This policy sets out our approach to identifying, controlling and reducing health and safety risks across our facilities and associated services.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We recognise our legal and moral duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of people who work for us and those who use our services. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health through proactive planning, training and supervision.
Health and safety considerations form an integral part of how we manage our storage units, handling equipment, loading areas and any removal or transport work carried out in connection with our business. We review and update this policy regularly to reflect changes in legislation, guidance and operational practice.
Objectives
Our main health and safety objectives are to:
Identify, assess and control risks arising from our activities, premises and equipment.
Provide and maintain safe facilities, vehicles, equipment and systems of work.
Ensure employees and contractors are competent and properly trained for their roles.
Minimise manual handling risks associated with storage and removals.
Reduce the likelihood of fire, ensure safe emergency evacuation and maintain clear access routes.
Encourage a positive safety culture where everyone takes responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety at Storage Harold Hill rests with senior management, who will ensure adequate resources are provided to implement and maintain this policy.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day to day implementation of safe working practices. This includes carrying out and reviewing risk assessments, enforcing safety procedures, reporting hazards and ensuring that staff are equipped with appropriate training and information.
All employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow safety instructions, attend training, use equipment correctly, and report accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions without delay.
Contractors and service providers working on our premises are expected to comply with this policy and with all relevant health and safety laws. They must work in a safe manner, use appropriate protective equipment and cooperate with our staff and procedures.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We conduct risk assessments for key tasks and areas, including storage units, loading bays, corridors, staircases, lifting equipment and vehicle movements. These assessments identify hazards and specify control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work are developed where necessary, particularly for tasks involving manual handling of furniture and goods, operation of trolleys and lifting equipment, working at height, and vehicle loading and unloading linked to removal services. These systems are communicated to staff and monitored for effectiveness.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant part of storage and removal operations. We aim to avoid hazardous manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable by using mechanical aids and planning lifts carefully.
When manual handling cannot be avoided, employees receive training on correct lifting techniques, use of trolleys, team lifts and route planning to reduce strain and the risk of injury. Loads should always be assessed for weight, size and stability before moving.
All equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, ramps and lifting devices must be inspected, used only for their intended purpose, and removed from service if any defect is identified. Only trained and authorised personnel may use specialist equipment.
Traffic Management and Vehicle Safety
To protect pedestrians and drivers, we manage the movement of vehicles around our premises, including those used for removal and delivery work.
Designated loading and unloading areas must be used at all times. Speed limits and parking arrangements are in place to prevent congestion, collisions and obstructions. Drivers must follow site rules, secure loads properly and switch off engines when vehicles are not in use.
Staff engaged in removal activities must take care when working near vehicles, maintaining good communication and using agreed signals where reversing or complex manoeuvres are required.
Housekeeping and Premises Safety
Good housekeeping is essential to maintaining a safe environment. Walkways, staircases, access routes and emergency exits must be kept clear of boxes, furniture, packaging and waste materials at all times.
Spillages must be cleaned up promptly, and any damage to floors, doors, handrails, lighting or security systems must be reported immediately. Storage units and communal areas should be organised so that heavy items are stored at a suitable height and not stacked in an unstable manner.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We maintain appropriate fire detection and warning systems, firefighting equipment and clearly signed escape routes. Fire exits must remain unobstructed and easily accessible.
Employees receive information on fire procedures, including how to raise the alarm, the location of exits and assembly points, and what to do in an evacuation. Regular checks and drills are undertaken to ensure emergency arrangements remain effective.
Customers and visitors are expected to follow instructions from staff in the event of an emergency and to avoid actions that could increase fire risks, such as using naked flames or storing prohibited or flammable materials.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide health and safety induction and ongoing training to employees appropriate to their role. This may include manual handling, equipment use, vehicle safety, fire safety, first aid awareness and reporting procedures.
Information on hazards and safe practices is communicated through briefings, notices and written guidance. Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure procedures are followed and to identify where further training or support is needed.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. Detailed records are kept and investigated to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
We encourage open reporting and do not tolerate any victimisation of individuals who raise health and safety concerns. Lessons learned from incidents are shared with staff and used to improve our systems.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
We regularly monitor our health and safety performance through inspections, audits, incident analysis and staff feedback. This policy and associated procedures are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations or applicable legislation.
Storage Harold Hill is committed to continual improvement in health and safety standards across our storage and removal activities. Everyone working for or with us has a role to play in achieving a safe, healthy and secure environment.
