Storage Surbiton Health And Safety Policy
Storage Surbiton is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with our storage facilities and our activities supporting removals, handling, and transport of goods.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective controls. We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice for storage, manual handling, and removal operations.
Health and safety is an integral part of how we run our business. Every person working for or with Storage Surbiton is expected to co-operate in implementing this policy and to ensure that their own actions do not compromise the safety of others.
Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and reviewing this policy. They allocate adequate resources to ensure health and safety standards are implemented and improved over time.
Managers and supervisors must ensure that:
They communicate safe working procedures, provide suitable training, monitor working practices, promptly address identified hazards, and report incidents and near misses.
Employees, contractors, and any personnel involved in removals or storage activities must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety, follow all safety instructions and training, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment, and immediately report hazards, defects, incidents, or concerns to a manager.
Risk Assessment And Safe Systems Of Work
We will identify hazards and assess risks associated with our operations, including storage activities, access to units, handling, lifting, loading, and unloading of goods connected with removal services.
Where significant risks are identified, we will implement safe systems of work and control measures, which may include:
Engineering controls such as guards, barriers, racking safety measures, and suitable equipment.
Administrative controls such as clear signage, access rules, supervision, training, and safe work procedures.
Personal protective equipment where necessary, such as gloves, high visibility clothing, or safety footwear.
Risk assessments will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, equipment, layout, or working methods.
Safe Storage, Handling, And Removals
We will take practical steps to ensure the safe storage, stacking, and retrieval of goods within our facilities and during associated removals work. This includes the following principles.
Storage systems must be stable, secure, and suitable for the weight and type of goods stored. Aisles and access routes must be kept clear and tidy to reduce the risk of trips, slips, and collisions.
Heavy, bulky, or awkward items should be stored at safe heights to limit the need for hazardous manual handling. Racking and equipment will be inspected periodically to ensure they remain safe and in good condition.
When assisting with removals, staff must plan loading and unloading carefully, use appropriate lifting techniques, and utilise handling equipment such as trolleys or dollies where suitable. Vehicles must be loaded to minimise movement of goods during transit and to avoid overloading.
Manual Handling
Manual handling is a key part of many storage and removal activities. We will minimise the need for hazardous manual handling so far as reasonably practicable.
This includes assessing the weight, shape, and stability of items before lifting, encouraging team lifting where required, and using mechanical aids where available. Staff involved in handling and removals will receive instruction on correct lifting techniques and safe methods of carrying, pushing, and pulling loads.
Workplace Environment And Equipment
We will maintain our premises in a condition that is safe and without risk to health. This includes:
Keeping floors, steps, and access ways in good repair and free from obstructions. Ensuring adequate lighting in corridors, storage areas, loading zones, and car parks. Providing and maintaining suitable welfare facilities including toilets and handwashing facilities. Managing temperature and ventilation so far as is reasonably practicable.
All work equipment, including trolleys, ladders, and any lifting devices, will be selected, used, and maintained in accordance with safety requirements. Defective equipment must be removed from service and reported immediately.
Fire Safety And Emergency Procedures
We will implement and maintain appropriate fire safety measures, including:
Clearly marked emergency exits and escape routes that are kept unobstructed. Suitable fire detection and firefighting equipment appropriate to the premises. Clear instructions on what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Staff will receive periodic information or training on emergency arrangements, and drills may be carried out where appropriate. Visitors and customers will be expected to follow any directions given during an emergency.
Hazardous Substances And Prohibited Items
To protect people and property, Storage Surbiton restricts and controls what may be stored within our premises and handled as part of any associated removals activity. Items that present unreasonable risks to health and safety, such as flammable, explosive, toxic, or illegal substances, are not permitted.
Customers are responsible for complying with our storage conditions and must not bring prohibited items onto the premises. Where we become aware of any unsafe goods or substances, we may take action to remove or isolate these and, where necessary, contact the appropriate authorities.
Training, Information, And Supervision
We will provide information, instruction, and training to employees so they can work safely and understand the health and safety procedures that apply to their roles, including those related to storage operations, driving, and removals support.
Training needs will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in work activities, equipment, or legislation. Supervisors will monitor working practices and provide guidance to help maintain safe standards.
Incident Reporting And Investigation
All accidents, incidents, and near misses, whether involving employees, contractors, or visitors, must be reported to management as soon as possible.
We will investigate incidents to determine causes and identify any measures required to prevent recurrence. Where relevant, we will maintain appropriate health and safety records in line with legal requirements.
Consultation And Continuous Improvement
We recognise the value of consulting with staff and, where appropriate, customers and contractors in matters affecting health and safety. We encourage feedback on any aspect of safety within our storage facilities or related removals activities.
This policy and the associated procedures will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, or our operations. Our aim is to continually improve our health and safety performance and provide a secure environment for everyone using Storage Surbiton.
