Storage Acton Health and Safety Policy
Storage Acton is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors, and visitors using our storage and removal services. This Health and Safety policy sets out our responsibilities, arrangements, and working practices to minimise risk, prevent accidents, and protect people, property, and the environment.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to conduct all storage, handling, and removal activities in a way that prevents injury, ill health, and damage to property. We will identify, assess, and control health and safety risks arising from our operations and continually review our performance to improve standards.
We will provide and maintain safe working conditions, suitable equipment, and effective systems of work for all staff engaged in storage, packing, lifting, loading, transportation, and related activities. We will also ensure that customers and visitors can access and use our facilities safely.
Roles and Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with senior management, who ensure that this policy is implemented, monitored, and reviewed regularly. Managers are responsible for promoting a positive safety culture, leading by example, and making sure that appropriate resources are available for health and safety measures.
Supervisors must ensure that staff follow safe systems of work, use the correct equipment, and report hazards or incidents promptly. All employees, including removal operatives, warehouse staff, and office staff, must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must cooperate with Storage Acton in meeting legal and policy requirements and must not interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety, and welfare.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for key activities, including manual handling, lifting and carrying items, the movement and stacking of goods, loading and unloading vehicles, use of trolleys and handling equipment, operation within storage units, and driving and parking of vehicles on site. The findings of risk assessments will be used to develop safe systems of work, which will be communicated to all relevant staff.
Risk assessments and procedures will be reviewed following any significant changes to processes, equipment, layout, or work patterns, or following any incident that indicates existing controls may be inadequate.
Manual Handling and Lifting Operations
As a storage and removals provider, Storage Acton recognises the particular risks associated with manual handling and lifting activities. We will minimise the need for hazardous manual handling by planning tasks, using mechanical aids where appropriate, and ensuring that loads are manageable.
Staff involved in lifting, carrying, or moving items will be trained in correct manual handling techniques and are expected to follow all guidance provided. Team lifting, the use of trolleys and other aids, and the safe stacking of items will be encouraged to reduce strain and the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Equipment and Vehicle Safety
All equipment used in our storage and removal operations, including trolleys, handling devices, and any lifting aids, must be suitable for their intended use and maintained in a safe condition. Defective equipment must be removed from service immediately and reported to management.
Company vehicles used for removal and delivery services must be maintained, inspected, and cleaned regularly. Drivers must hold appropriate licences, conduct basic pre-use checks, and operate vehicles in accordance with traffic regulations and company procedures.
Workplace Environment and Site Safety
We will maintain our facilities in a clean, orderly, and safe condition. This includes keeping walkways, access routes, loading bays, and emergency exits clear and well lit. Storage areas must be kept free from unnecessary obstructions, and goods must be stored and stacked securely to prevent falls or collapse.
Signage will be used where necessary to highlight hazards, direct traffic flow, indicate fire exits, and provide information on safe use of facilities. Customers using storage units are required to follow all site rules and cooperate with instructions from staff to maintain a safe environment.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Acton will maintain appropriate fire safety measures, including clearly marked escape routes, emergency lighting where required, and suitable fire detection and firefighting equipment. Staff will be trained in fire safety awareness, including how to raise the alarm, assist with evacuation where safe to do so, and assemble at designated points.
Emergency procedures will cover fire, serious accidents, hazardous spills, and other foreseeable incidents. These procedures will be communicated to employees and, where relevant, to customers and contractors. Regular checks of fire safety equipment and routes will be conducted, and any defects will be rectified promptly.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We will provide appropriate health and safety training for employees, proportionate to their role and level of risk. This may include induction training, manual handling training, safe use of equipment, vehicle and driving safety, and emergency procedures.
Employees will receive information about the hazards associated with their work and the controls in place to manage those hazards. Adequate supervision will be provided to ensure that procedures are followed and that new or temporary staff understand their responsibilities.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and hazardous conditions must be reported as soon as practicable. We will keep records of incidents, investigate their causes, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Where necessary, relevant incidents will be reported to the appropriate authorities in line with applicable legal requirements. Lessons learned from investigations will be shared internally to improve awareness and working practices.
Health, Welfare, and Wellbeing
We recognise the importance of promoting the general health and wellbeing of our staff. Reasonable welfare facilities will be provided, including access to drinking water, rest areas, and sanitary facilities. Workloads and schedules will be managed with consideration for staff safety and fitness for work, particularly for driving and manual handling duties.
Employees are encouraged to raise any health or safety concerns at the earliest opportunity so that they can be addressed swiftly and effectively.
Policy Review and Communication
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, or our operations. Any amendments will be communicated to employees and made available to customers and contractors on request.
By working together and following this policy, Storage Acton aims to maintain high standards of health and safety across all storage and removals activities and to provide a secure environment for everyone who uses our services.
