Storage West Heath Health and Safety Policy
Storage West Heath is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage, handling, removals activities, vehicle movements and general site operations. Our aim is to prevent injury, protect property and promote a culture of safety throughout our business.
Policy Statement
We will conduct our activities in a way that safeguards the health, safety and welfare of everyone who may be affected by our operations. We recognise our responsibility to maintain safe working conditions, to provide suitable training and supervision, and to ensure that our storage and removal services are delivered in a controlled and responsible manner.
Health and safety considerations are integral to our planning, decision making and day to day activities. We seek continuous improvement in safety performance and expect all staff and contractors to support and uphold this policy.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage West Heath has overall accountability for health and safety. Management will ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to implement this policy, including suitable equipment, training, maintenance and supervision. Managers will lead by example, promote safe working practices and monitor compliance through regular inspections and reviews.
Management duties include identifying significant risks, putting in place suitable control measures, recording key findings, investigating accidents and near misses, and reviewing this policy periodically to reflect operational changes or updated guidance.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace. Staff must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees are required to follow site rules, use equipment properly, wear any specified personal protective equipment and comply with training and instructions provided.
Employees must report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents, near misses and any concerns to their line manager without delay. No employee will be penalised for raising genuine safety concerns or for stopping work that they believe poses an immediate risk of serious harm.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors using our storage facilities or working with our removals teams are expected to act safely and responsibly while on site. They must follow all safety signs, instructions given by staff and any site specific rules. Children must be supervised at all times and pets kept under control.
Customers are responsible for packing, labelling and loading their own goods safely where they choose to do so, and for ensuring that items stored or presented for removal do not pose an unreasonable risk to others. Prohibited or hazardous items must not be stored or transported with our services.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments covering key activities such as manual handling, loading and unloading vehicles, operating handling equipment, working in and around storage units, and vehicle movements in the yard. The control measures identified in these assessments are implemented and communicated to all relevant staff.
Safe systems of work are established for tasks including lifting and carrying items, stacking goods, securing loads within storage units and vehicles, and managing access routes. These procedures are reviewed on a regular basis and after any significant incident or operational change.
Manual Handling and Removals Activities
Given the nature of storage and removal services, manual handling is a significant area of risk. We take steps to reduce the need for manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable, use handling aids where appropriate and plan jobs so that heavy or bulky items are moved safely.
Employees involved in removals, loading and unloading receive training in correct lifting techniques, team handling, use of trolleys and other aids, and assessment of individual loads. Customers are advised not to exceed safe weight limits for boxes and to pack items so that they can be moved safely by our teams.
Equipment, Plant and Vehicles
All equipment, plant and vehicles used by Storage West Heath are maintained in a safe condition and inspected at appropriate intervals. Only trained and authorised personnel are permitted to operate mechanical handling equipment or drive company vehicles.
Defective equipment must not be used and any faults must be reported immediately. Guards, restraints and safety features must never be removed or bypassed. Loads must be properly secured before vehicles are moved, whether within the site or on public roads.
Housekeeping and Site Safety
Good housekeeping is essential to reduce slips, trips, falls and other preventable accidents. Access routes, corridors, stairways and fire exits must be kept clear at all times. Spills must be cleaned promptly and waste disposed of safely in designated areas.
Storage areas should be kept tidy, with goods stacked securely and within safe height limits. Items must not extend into walkways or obstruct doors, alarm panels or safety equipment. Lighting levels shall be maintained so that staff and customers can move around safely.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We maintain suitable fire detection and alarm systems, emergency exits and fire fighting equipment in line with our fire risk assessment. Fire routes and exits must remain unobstructed, and fire doors must not be wedged open.
Staff are trained in emergency procedures, including evacuation routes, assembly points and how to raise the alarm. Customers and visitors must follow staff instructions immediately in the event of an alarm or other emergency and must not re enter any building until told it is safe to do so.
Hazardous Substances and Prohibited Items
Hazardous substances, including flammable liquids, gases, explosives, corrosive materials or chemicals, must not be stored or transported using our services unless specifically authorised and managed in accordance with relevant guidance. Customers must not store perishable, illegal or dangerous goods in our units.
Where cleaning materials or fuels are required for site operations, these will be stored, handled and used in accordance with manufacturer instructions and appropriate control measures, such as ventilation and personal protective equipment, will be applied.
Training, Communication and Consultation
We provide employees with information, instruction and training appropriate to their roles. Induction training is given to all new staff, covering key health and safety topics, emergency arrangements and site rules. Refresher training is provided as needed, particularly for higher risk tasks and equipment operation.
Health and safety information is communicated through briefings, signage and written procedures. Where appropriate, we consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage feedback to help improve our arrangements.
Accident Reporting and Policy Review
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported and recorded in accordance with our internal procedures. Where appropriate, investigations will be carried out to identify underlying causes and to implement corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, technology or our operating practices. The most current version of the policy will be made available to employees and to customers upon request.
By implementing this policy, Storage West Heath aims to provide a secure, efficient and responsible environment for storage and removal services, protecting the wellbeing of everyone who works with or visits our facilities.
