Health and Safety Policy for Storage Chislehurst
Storage Chislehurst is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for employees, contractors, visitors and customers. This Health and Safety policy supports our work across storage, removals and associated services, setting clear standards to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health while protecting property and the environment.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to manage all activities in a way that minimises risk and promotes safe behaviour. We will identify and control hazards related to lifting and handling, vehicle movements, storage operations, use of equipment and customer interactions. We aim to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised best practice in the storage and removals sector.
This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective, relevant and aligned with our operational needs and legal duties.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for implementing this Health and Safety policy and for integrating safety considerations into all planning and decision-making. Management will:
Provide and maintain safe premises, vehicles and equipment for storage and removal activities.
Ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out, documented and reviewed whenever conditions, processes or equipment change.
Provide appropriate training, instruction and supervision so that employees can safely perform their duties.
Allocate adequate resources to health and safety, including time, equipment and competent personnel.
Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses to identify root causes and implement corrective measures.
Consult with employees and, where applicable, safety representatives on health and safety matters.
Employee Responsibilities
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 or omissions. Employees must:
Follow all safety procedures and instructions related to storage and removal operations.
Use equipment, vehicles, tools and personal protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately.
Cooperate with management in meeting health and safety requirements, including attending training and following risk control measures.
Report hazards, unsafe practices, accidents and near misses without delay to a supervisor or manager.
Refrain from engaging in horseplay or any behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers or members of the public.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Chislehurst maintains a structured approach to risk assessment to control risks arising from our storage and removal activities. We:
Assess risks related to manual handling, stacking, loading and unloading of goods, use of lifting aids and vehicle movements.
Develop safe systems of work for common tasks, including packing, lifting, carrying, operating trolleys and handling fragile or heavy items.
Review risk assessments periodically and after incidents, process changes or the introduction of new equipment.
Communicate findings of risk assessments and associated control measures to all relevant staff.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Given the nature of our storage and removal services, manual handling is a significant risk area. To reduce the likelihood of injury, we will:
Train staff in safe lifting techniques, posture and load assessment.
Encourage the use of mechanical aids, such as trolleys and lifting equipment, wherever reasonably practicable.
Plan lifting tasks in advance, including route selection, use of assistance and load stability checks.
Prohibit employees from attempting to lift or move loads beyond their personal capability.
Vehicles, Driving and Site Movements
The safe operation of vehicles is fundamental to our storage and removals work. We will:
Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained to a safe standard.
Verify that drivers are competent, appropriately licensed and familiar with relevant procedures.
Implement safe loading and unloading procedures to maintain vehicle stability and prevent load shift.
Designate safe areas for parking, loading and pedestrian routes within our premises.
Require drivers and staff to comply with speed limits, traffic rules and site-specific traffic management arrangements.
Storage Safety and Handling of Goods
Storage areas will be arranged and managed to reduce risks of falls, collisions, structural failure and damage. We will:
Ensure racking, shelving and storage systems are suitable for the loads they carry and inspected periodically.
Stack goods securely and within designated height and weight limits.
Keep access routes, fire exits and emergency equipment clear at all times.
Handle hazardous or fragile items in line with appropriate guidance and ensure staff are informed of any particular risks associated with customer goods.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Chislehurst provides ongoing training and information to ensure that staff understand their responsibilities and can work safely. This includes:
Induction training for new employees covering emergency procedures, accident reporting and key operational risks.
Role-specific training for staff involved in removals, packing, storage management and vehicle operations.
Refresher training as needed, especially following incidents, changes in procedure or introduction of new equipment.
Appropriate supervision, especially for new or young workers, until they are competent to work independently.
Emergency Procedures and First Aid
We maintain procedures to respond effectively to emergencies, including fire, accidents and spills. We will:
Provide clear instructions for raising the alarm and evacuating the premises.
Display emergency information and escape routes in prominent locations.
Ensure suitable firefighting equipment is available, inspected and maintained.
Provide trained first aiders and adequately stocked first aid supplies.
Record all accidents and significant incidents in an accident log and review them to prevent recurrence.
Welfare, Housekeeping and Occupational Health
We recognise the importance of general welfare and good housekeeping in preventing accidents and supporting health. We will:
Maintain clean, tidy and well-lit working areas, storage zones and customer access points.
Provide suitable welfare facilities, including rest and wash areas.
Manage dust, noise and other environmental factors as far as reasonably practicable.
Encourage employees to report health concerns that may affect their ability to work safely, particularly in relation to lifting and driving activities.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Storage Chislehurst is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. This policy will be reviewed at regular intervals or following significant organisational or legislative changes. Feedback from employees, customers and other stakeholders will be considered as part of this review, helping us improve our approach to safety across our storage and removal services.
