Storage Sanderstead Health and Safety Policy
Storage Sanderstead is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, customers, visitors and contractors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage facilities, handling goods and providing removal and related services. Our aim is to prevent injury and ill health, comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and continually improve our safety performance.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
We will identify, assess and control risks arising from our activities, including storage operations, use of vehicles, manual handling, loading and unloading, and movement of goods on and off site. We will provide and maintain safe premises, plant, equipment and systems of work, and ensure that safety considerations are integrated into planning and decision making across the business.
We will provide information, instruction, training and supervision so that employees are competent to carry out their tasks safely. We will encourage a positive health and safety culture where everyone takes responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others and feels able to raise concerns or suggest improvements without fear of reprisal.
Management Responsibilities
The management team at Storage Sanderstead has overall responsibility for the implementation and review of this Health and Safety Policy. Management will ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to health and safety, that responsibilities are clearly defined, and that effective arrangements are in place to manage risks in our storage facilities and in connection with our removal and transport operations.
Managers and supervisors are required to promote safe working practices, lead by example and monitor compliance with this policy. They will carry out or arrange suitable risk assessments, ensure that control measures are implemented and maintained, investigate accidents and near misses, and take corrective action where necessary.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Employees must follow all safety instructions, procedures and training given by Storage Sanderstead and must not interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety.
Employees are required to report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents, near misses and any health and safety concerns to their manager as soon as possible. Staff involved in storage or removal activities must use safe lifting techniques, make use of handling aids where available, and follow instructions for operating vehicles, lifting equipment and other machinery.
Safe Premises, Plant and Equipment
Storage Sanderstead will provide and maintain safe premises and ensure that access routes, corridors, loading areas and storage spaces are kept in a condition that minimises risk. We will ensure that lighting, ventilation and housekeeping standards are adequate for the tasks being carried out and that emergency exits are clearly identified and kept unobstructed.
All plant, vehicles, tools and equipment used in connection with storage and removals will be selected, inspected, maintained and, where required, tested at appropriate intervals. Defective equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of use until repaired or replaced. Only trained and authorised personnel may operate specialist equipment such as forklifts, pallet trucks or lifting devices.
Manual Handling and Handling of Goods
Our operations involve the regular handling, lifting and movement of goods, furniture and personal belongings. Storage Sanderstead will assess manual handling tasks to reduce the risk of injury and, where reasonably practicable, use mechanical aids or adjust working methods to limit heavy or awkward lifting.
Employees must follow training on safe lifting practices, including assessing the load, planning the route, using team lifts when necessary and avoiding twisting or overreaching while carrying items. Particular care will be taken when handling fragile, heavy or bulky items and when working in confined spaces such as storage units or vehicles.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Where driving forms part of our storage or removal services, we will ensure that vehicles are suitable for the work, properly maintained and loaded safely. Drivers must hold appropriate licences, follow driving laws and company procedures, and conduct pre use checks of vehicles before starting work.
Loading and unloading activities will be planned and carried out so as to avoid falls from vehicles, unsafe working at height, and risks to pedestrians in and around loading areas. Reversing and manoeuvring operations must be controlled and, where necessary, assisted by a trained banksman.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Sanderstead will maintain suitable fire safety arrangements across its premises. This includes providing appropriate fire detection and warning systems, fire fighting equipment and clearly signed means of escape. Fire risk assessments will be carried out and reviewed periodically to ensure that controls remain suitable and effective.
Staff will receive information on emergency procedures, including evacuation routes, assembly points and the location of fire extinguishers. Evacuation drills will be carried out at intervals to ensure that employees are familiar with the procedures and can respond quickly in the event of an emergency.
Health, Welfare and Working Environment
We are committed to maintaining a working environment that supports the health and welfare of employees. Suitable welfare facilities, including toilets and washing facilities, will be provided and kept in a clean and hygienic condition. Where work involves lone working, off site work or work at customer premises, specific arrangements will be made to manage associated risks.
Storage Sanderstead recognises that some tasks within storage and removal operations can be physically demanding or mentally stressful. We will seek to manage workloads sensibly, provide suitable rest breaks and support employees who raise concerns about their health or work related stress.
Information, Training and Consultation
We will provide employees with appropriate information, instruction and training to enable them to work safely. This includes induction training for new starters, job specific training for those involved in storage and removal activities, and refresher training where necessary. Records of training will be maintained and reviewed.
Storage Sanderstead will consult with employees on health and safety matters, encouraging feedback and participation in improving safety standards. Where necessary, we will appoint competent persons to advise on health and safety and to support the implementation of this policy.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents and near misses, whether involving employees, customers or others, must be reported promptly. Storage Sanderstead will investigate incidents to identify underlying causes and take appropriate action to prevent recurrence. Where required by law, certain incidents will be reported to the relevant enforcing authority.
Accident records will be reviewed periodically to identify trends and areas for improvement. Lessons learned from investigations will be communicated to staff and incorporated into training and procedures.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Storage Sanderstead will monitor compliance with this Health and Safety Policy through inspections, audits and performance reviews. Any deficiencies identified will be addressed through action plans, updated procedures or additional training as appropriate.
This policy will be reviewed regularly, and in any case following significant changes to our operations, legislation or organisational structure. The updated policy will be communicated to employees so that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and the measures in place to protect their health and safety.
By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Storage Sanderstead aims to maintain a safe environment for all those who work with us, store with us or use our removal and related services.
