Storage Upper Norwood Health and Safety Policy
Storage Upper Norwood is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, customers and visitors. This policy sets out the principles and arrangements we follow to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, and to promote safe practices across our storage facilities and associated removal services.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to manage health and safety risks sensibly and proportionately so that all activities, including storage operations, handling, loading and unloading, and any assisted removals, are carried out safely. We aim to:
Identify hazards and assess risks arising from our activities.
Implement and maintain effective control measures.
Provide and maintain safe equipment, vehicles and facilities.
Ensure employees receive adequate information, instruction, training and supervision.
Consult with employees on matters affecting their health and safety.
Review our health and safety performance and policy regularly.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management of Storage Upper Norwood. Management will ensure that appropriate resources are made available to implement this policy and that health and safety is considered in all business decisions.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation of the policy, including ensuring that staff follow safe systems of work, reporting hazards, and arranging appropriate training.
All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must cooperate fully with health and safety arrangements, use equipment correctly, and report accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards immediately.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We conduct risk assessments for our core activities, including storage operations, lifting and handling, the movement of goods, and any removal or transport services linked to our storage facilities. These assessments identify hazards such as manual handling risks, slips and trips, vehicle movements and working at height.
Where risks cannot be eliminated, we put in place safe systems of work and suitable control measures. These may include the use of handling equipment, clear walkways, signage, access controls, and restricted areas. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and following any significant change in operations, equipment or layout.
Safe Storage Facilities and Equipment
We will provide and maintain storage areas, access routes, loading zones and equipment that are safe and without risk as far as reasonably practicable. This includes:
Ensuring that storage units, shelving and racking are suitable for the loads being stored and are used within their specified capacity.
Maintaining lighting, ventilation and general housekeeping to reduce slip, trip and other hazards.
Inspecting equipment such as trolleys, sack trucks and lifting aids at appropriate intervals and removing any defective items from use.
Ensuring that any vehicles used in connection with removal or transport services are operated by competent persons, are roadworthy and are loaded and unloaded safely.
Manual Handling and Lifting
We recognise that manual handling is a significant risk area within storage and removals. We will, as far as is reasonably practicable, avoid hazardous manual handling by using mechanical aids and suitable equipment. Where manual handling cannot be avoided, we will:
Assess the task, load, working environment and individual capability.
Provide manual handling training and guidance to employees.
Plan lifting operations carefully, including the use of team lifting where required.
Advise customers on safe lifting practices and on the packaging and preparation of goods for storage or removal.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We take fire safety seriously and maintain appropriate fire precautions at our premises. This includes:
Providing suitable fire detection and alarm systems where required.
Maintaining clear fire escape routes and emergency exits.
Displaying clear fire instructions and emergency information.
Carrying out periodic checks and tests of fire safety equipment.
Staff will receive information on fire safety arrangements, including evacuation procedures and the location of assembly points. Fire evacuation drills may be conducted periodically to ensure readiness.
Hazardous and Prohibited Items
For the safety of everyone using our storage facilities and any related removal services, certain items are restricted or prohibited. These typically include flammable, explosive, corrosive or otherwise hazardous substances, as well as perishable goods and items that could attract vermin or cause contamination.
Customers are responsible for ensuring that items presented for storage or transport comply with our terms and conditions and do not create safety risks. Any suspected hazardous or prohibited item will be investigated and may be refused or removed in line with our procedures.
Contractors, Visitors and Customer Safety
We take reasonable steps to ensure that contractors, visitors and customers are not put at risk while on our premises. This includes:
Providing clear directions, signage and information about site rules.
Controlling access to operational and loading areas.
Requiring contractors to comply with our health and safety requirements and to work safely.
Encouraging customers to ask for assistance with heavy or awkward items where needed.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide employees with information, instruction and training relevant to their roles. Training may include induction, manual handling, safe use of equipment, fire safety, and any specific procedures relating to storage or removal services.
Supervision is provided to ensure that procedures are followed and that new or inexperienced staff receive additional support. Health and safety information may be communicated through briefings, notices and updates as needed.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported as soon as possible to a manager or supervisor. We keep appropriate records of such events and investigate them to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
If necessary, corrective actions will be implemented, which may include changes to procedures, additional training, maintenance or improvements to equipment or facilities.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
We monitor our health and safety performance through inspections, audits, incident statistics and feedback from employees and customers. This policy and the associated procedures will be reviewed regularly and updated when required to reflect changes in legislation, industry practice, or the nature of our storage and removal activities.
Management and staff at Storage Upper Norwood share a commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety. Everyone is encouraged to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate actively in maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
