Storage The Hale Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Storage The Hale manages health, safety and welfare for employees, contractors, visitors and customers using our storage and removal-related services. Our objective is to prevent injury, protect property, and maintain safe and healthy working conditions at all times.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Storage The Hale is committed to conducting all operations, including storage, handling, loading, unloading and removals-related activities, in a manner that safeguards people and property. We aim to identify hazards, assess risks and implement effective controls so that accidents, injuries and occupational ill health are minimised.
Management will provide leadership, resources and monitoring so that health and safety is integrated into day-to-day operations. Employees are expected to take reasonable care of themselves and others and to follow all safe systems of work, training and instructions.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with senior management. They are responsible for ensuring that suitable arrangements, procedures and resources are in place and that this policy is reviewed regularly.
Supervisors and managers must implement this policy in their areas of control. This includes ensuring that staff are trained, equipment is maintained, and all work, including the handling of customers possessions during removals and storage, is carried out safely.
Employees must cooperate with the company on health and safety matters, follow safe working practices, use equipment properly, report hazards and near misses, and never interfere with safety equipment or procedures.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage The Hale will identify and assess significant risks arising from storage and removal-related activities. This includes risks associated with manual handling, working in and around vehicles, operating mechanical aids, use of storage units, and public areas within our premises.
Findings from risk assessments will be used to create and maintain safe systems of work. Procedures will be developed for tasks such as lifting and carrying, loading and unloading vehicles, stacking and accessing goods, and moving items into or out of storage units.
Risk assessments will be reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to operations, equipment or layout.
Training, Information and Supervision
All staff will receive appropriate induction training, including the key risks associated with storage and removals, emergency arrangements and reporting procedures. Additional task-specific training will be provided where required, such as manual handling, working with trolleys or handling fragile or bulky items.
Information on safe procedures will be communicated clearly, and staff will be supervised as necessary to ensure that training is put into practice. Refresher training will be offered on a regular basis and following any significant incident or change in working methods.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
The movement of goods is central to our storage and removals-related services. Storage The Hale will minimise manual handling where possible by using appropriate equipment, such as trolleys or other handling aids, and by planning work to reduce the need for heavy or awkward lifting.
Employees must follow taught manual handling techniques, seek assistance with heavy or bulky loads, and never attempt to lift items beyond their capability. Any equipment supplied to assist with handling or access must be used correctly and kept in good condition. Defective equipment must be taken out of use and reported immediately.
Vehicles, Loading Areas and Traffic Management
Areas used for vehicle loading and unloading will be managed to reduce the risk of collisions, falls and other incidents. Access routes should be kept clear, well organised and suitably lit. Where possible, separate vehicle and pedestrian movements will be defined and maintained.
When assisting with removals-related activities, staff must follow safe loading and unloading procedures, including securing loads, maintaining good posture and communication, and ensuring that vehicles are never overloaded.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
Good housekeeping is essential for a safe storage environment. Aisles, corridors, stairways and access routes must be kept clear and free from obstacles. Spills must be cleaned promptly, and floors maintained in a safe condition to prevent slips, trips and falls.
Storage areas must be stacked safely, with loads stable and within safe height and weight limits. Any structural damage, defective doors, lighting issues or other hazards must be reported without delay.
Customers, Visitors and Contractors
Storage The Hale will take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of customers, visitors and contractors on our premises. This includes providing clear signage, instructions for safe use of storage areas, and guidance on moving goods into and out of units.
Contractors working on site must comply with our health and safety requirements and any site-specific rules. They may be required to provide evidence of competence and safe systems of work before starting tasks.
Emergency Preparedness and First Aid
Emergency procedures for fire, evacuation and serious incidents will be established and communicated. Escape routes and exits will be kept clear at all times. Fire safety equipment will be maintained and tested in line with relevant standards.
Suitable first aid arrangements will be provided, including trained first aiders or appointed persons and appropriate first aid supplies. All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly so that they can be recorded, investigated and used to prevent recurrence.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Storage The Hale will monitor health and safety performance through inspections, incident investigations and staff feedback. Where shortcomings are identified, corrective actions will be implemented and communicated.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when there are changes in operations, legislation or best practice. Our aim is continual improvement in the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved with our storage and removals-related services.
Employee Cooperation and Policy Acceptance
Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Employees are expected to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Everyone must comply with this policy, follow training and instructions, and report concerns so that Storage The Hale can maintain a safe and secure environment for staff, customers and visitors.
