Health and Safety Policy for Storage Upper Walthamstow
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Storage Upper Walthamstow manages health, safety, and welfare across our storage facilities and associated removal and handling services. Our aim is to provide a safe and well managed environment for customers, visitors, contractors, and staff while protecting property and goods in our care.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Storage Upper Walthamstow is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety in all activities, including storage, loading, unloading, handling, packing, and removal services. We seek to prevent accidents, injuries, ill health, and damage to property through sensible planning, risk assessment, and continuous improvement.
Our core objectives are to comply with applicable health and safety legislation, maintain safe premises and equipment, ensure safe systems of work, provide adequate information, instruction and training, and consult with staff on health and safety matters relevant to storage and removal operations.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to health and safety. Managers and supervisors are responsible for day to day safety within their areas, including the storage facility, loading bays, vehicle access routes, and removal operations at customer locations.
Responsibilities include conducting and reviewing risk assessments, ensuring staff follow safe working procedures, maintaining equipment and vehicles used for removals and storage handling, and reporting and investigating accidents, near misses, and hazardous conditions.
Employee Duties
All employees and contractors must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff must cooperate with management in implementing this policy and follow all safety instructions, training, and procedures related to storage units, access areas, lifting, and transport.
Employees are required to use any equipment, including trolleys, lifting aids, and personal protective equipment, in accordance with training and manufacturer guidance. Any hazards, defects, or unsafe practices must be reported promptly to a manager or supervisor.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors using our storage facilities or removal services must follow on site safety rules, signage, and instructions from staff. This includes driving and parking safely in designated areas, observing speed limits, keeping access routes clear, and handling goods in a safe and controlled manner.
Customers are responsible for ensuring their goods are packed safely, are within weight limits that can be handled manually or with appropriate lifting aids, and do not contain prohibited or dangerous items. Children and pets must be supervised at all times when on the premises.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Upper Walthamstow conducts and maintains risk assessments for key activities, including manual handling of goods, use of trolleys and equipment, access to storage units, loading and unloading vehicles, and conducting removal work at customer addresses. Control measures are implemented to reduce risks to the lowest level reasonably practicable.
Safe systems of work are developed and communicated for tasks such as lifting and carrying items, stacking goods in storage units, securing loads, and moving items during removal and transport. Staff are expected to follow these procedures and report any concerns or suggested improvements.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a significant part of storage and removal services. To reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other injuries, staff receive training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and the correct use of trolleys and other aids. Where items are too heavy or awkward to be moved safely, staff are instructed not to attempt lifting without additional assistance or equipment.
Customers are reminded to pack goods in manageable boxes and containers and to avoid overloading items. Heavy items should be kept in smaller containers and clearly marked so that both staff and customers can lift them safely.
Workplace and Storage Unit Safety
Our premises are designed and maintained to promote safe access and use. This includes keeping floors, corridors, stairways, and loading bays in good condition, free from slip and trip hazards, and well lit. Fire exits and escape routes must be kept clear at all times.
Storage units should be stacked and organised safely, with heavier items at lower levels and lighter items above. Customers and staff must not climb on racking, boxes, or goods. Any damaged doors, locks, or fittings must be reported immediately so repairs can be arranged.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Upper Walthamstow maintains fire safety measures appropriate to the premises, including alarm systems where installed, fire extinguishers, and clearly marked escape routes. Fire procedures and evacuation arrangements are communicated to staff and displayed on site.
Customers and visitors must not smoke within the premises, introduce ignition sources into units, or store highly flammable, explosive, or otherwise hazardous materials. In an emergency, everyone on site must follow staff instructions and proceed calmly to the designated assembly area.
Vehicle and Transport Safety
To support our removal services, vehicle movements are managed to reduce the risk of accidents. Drivers must follow all company procedures, drive safely, and secure loads correctly before travel. Care is taken when reversing and operating near pedestrians or other vehicles.
Loading and unloading activities are planned to minimise manual handling and ensure stability of goods. Customers arranging removals should provide accurate information on access, parking, and any restrictions so that safe arrangements can be made at both collection and delivery locations.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All employees receive induction training, including health and safety information relevant to storage and removal activities. Additional training is provided where necessary, for example manual handling, use of equipment, and emergency procedures.
Supervisors monitor working practices, provide guidance, and address unsafe behaviour or conditions. Safety information, rules, and updates are communicated to staff and, where relevant, to customers.
Accidents, Incidents, and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, incidents, and near misses on our premises or during removal activities must be reported and recorded. Where required, incidents are escalated in line with legal obligations. Investigations are carried out to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
Storage Upper Walthamstow is committed to reviewing this Health and Safety Policy regularly and updating it when there are changes in operations, legislation, or best practice. Feedback from staff and customers is welcomed as part of our commitment to ongoing improvement in health and safety performance.
