Storage Harold Wood Health and Safety Policy
Storage Harold Wood is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, customers and visitors. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage facilities, handling of goods, and removal services. Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and promote a positive safety culture throughout our operations.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aims of this policy are to safeguard everyone who uses our premises or services and to ensure that health and safety considerations are integrated into all activities. We seek to identify, assess and control risks related to storage units, loading areas, access routes and the handling and transportation of items associated with removals and storage.
We will regularly review our working methods, equipment and facilities to ensure compliance with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry good practice. Continuous improvement in safety standards is a core part of our business planning.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Harold Wood holds overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this policy. Management will provide clear leadership on health and safety matters and ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to support safe operations, including those related to removals handling, vehicle loading and unloading, and storage of customers possessions.
Managers are responsible for:
Conducting and reviewing risk assessments for all key activities and areas of the business.
Ensuring appropriate safe systems of work are developed, documented and communicated.
Providing suitable training, supervision and information so that staff can carry out their duties safely.
Monitoring compliance with safety procedures and taking corrective action where necessary.
Reviewing incidents, near misses and customer feedback to learn lessons and prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff must follow all safety procedures, attend training sessions, and use equipment correctly, particularly when lifting, carrying, or working with removal trolleys, pallet trucks or other handling aids.
Employees are required to:
Cooperate with management in achieving the objectives of this policy.
Report any hazards, defects or unsafe practices as soon as they become aware of them.
Use personal protective equipment when provided and in the manner intended.
Refrain from using any equipment or vehicles for which they are not trained or authorised.
Never work under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or in a manner that could endanger themselves or others.
Risk Assessment and Hazard Control
Storage Harold Wood undertakes regular risk assessments covering storage units, corridors, staircases, loading bays, car parks, and all areas used in connection with the movement and storage of goods. This includes activities such as loading clients belongings, manoeuvring trolleys, wrapping items, and operating lifting or moving equipment used in the removals and storage process.
Control measures may include but are not limited to:
Maintaining clear walkways and access routes, free from obstructions.
Ensuring adequate lighting, signage, and where appropriate, floor markings.
Using appropriate manual handling techniques and equipment to reduce strain and injury.
Implementing limits on loads for shelving, racking and storage units.
Providing secure stacking guidelines to prevent falls of stored items.
Reviewing and updating risk assessments when there are changes to processes, facilities or equipment.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Harold Wood provides training relevant to each role, including induction training for new employees and refresher training where required. This may include manual handling, safe use of equipment, emergency procedures, safe vehicle movements on site and customer interaction during removals and storage operations.
Clear information on safety rules and site procedures is made available to staff and visitors. Supervisors are responsible for checking that employees understand and follow these procedures, and for giving additional guidance or instruction where needed.
Customer and Visitor Safety
We are committed to ensuring that customers and visitors can use our facilities safely. Clear directions are provided for loading and unloading areas, and staff will advise customers on safe access to storage units, appropriate lifting methods and secure stacking of goods whenever assistance is requested.
Customers and visitors must comply with posted safety notices, use designated walkways where provided and follow any instructions given by staff. Children must be supervised at all times on site.
Emergency Preparedness
Storage Harold Wood maintains procedures for responding to emergencies, including fire, accidents, and other incidents that may affect people or property. Fire detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting and escape routes are inspected and tested at appropriate intervals.
Staff are trained in emergency arrangements, including evacuation procedures, assembly points and the use of basic fire-fighting equipment where safe to do so. All visitors and customers are expected to follow staff instructions in the event of an emergency.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents and near misses on our premises or arising from our storage and removal-related activities must be reported promptly. Records are maintained to help identify trends and areas of risk, and each incident is reviewed to determine causes and necessary corrective actions.
Where appropriate, changes to procedures, equipment or training will be implemented following an incident review. We encourage open reporting and will not tolerate victimisation of any person who raises health and safety concerns in good faith.
Policy Review and Communication
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, premises or legal requirements. Updates will be communicated to all employees and made available to customers and visitors who wish to understand our approach to health and safety.
Storage Harold Wood expects everyone who works with or for us, as well as those who use our storage and removal-related services, to support and uphold this policy. By working together, we can maintain a safe and secure environment for people, goods and vehicles across our operations.
