Storage Hounslow Health and Safety Policy
Storage Hounslow is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, customers, contractors, visitors and any other persons who may be affected by our storage and removals activities. We recognise our duty to manage risks associated with handling, transporting and storing goods and to continually improve our health and safety performance.
Policy Statement
The aim of this policy is to prevent injury and ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures throughout our operations. This includes our storage facilities, vehicles, loading areas, offices and any locations where our removals and storage services are delivered.
Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning and decision-making processes. We will provide appropriate resources, information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that health and safety standards are maintained at all times.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety lies with the company management, who will ensure that this policy is implemented, monitored and reviewed regularly. Management will set clear objectives and provide adequate resources to achieve compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised best practice in the storage and removals industry.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day implementation of this policy, including ensuring that staff under their control follow safe systems of work, use equipment correctly and report hazards or incidents promptly.
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 the company in all matters relating to health and safety, including attending training, following safe working procedures and using protective equipment as directed.
Risk Assessment and Hazard Control
Storage Hounslow will conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments for all significant activities, including lifting and carrying, vehicle loading and unloading, use of mechanical handling equipment, storage and stacking of goods, and access to and from our premises.
Identified risks will be eliminated where possible, or controlled through engineering controls, safe systems of work, training and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment. Risk assessments will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are changes to work processes, equipment, layout or legislation.
Safe Handling, Lifting and Moving of Goods
The nature of storage and removals work involves frequent manual handling. To minimise the risk of injury, we will provide manual handling training, guidance on safe lifting techniques and appropriate mechanical aids such as sack trucks and trolleys.
Employees must assess the weight, shape and stability of items before attempting to move them and must ask for assistance or use mechanical aids where necessary. Team lifting will be used for heavy or bulky items to reduce the risk of strain and musculoskeletal injuries.
Vehicles, Driving and Loading Operations
Our removals and transport activities will be planned and managed to promote safe driving, loading and unloading. Vehicles will be maintained in a roadworthy condition in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and applicable regulations.
Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow all road traffic rules and carry out pre-use checks. Loads will be distributed and secured correctly to prevent movement during transit. Loading and unloading will be carried out in designated areas using safe techniques and, where appropriate, mechanical handling equipment.
Storage Facilities and Warehouse Safety
Our storage facilities will be organised and maintained to reduce the risk of accidents. This includes keeping walkways clear, ensuring adequate lighting, marking emergency exits and maintaining good housekeeping standards.
Racking and shelving systems will be installed, inspected and used in line with industry guidance. Goods will be stacked safely and within specified load limits, with heavy items stored at lower levels where possible to minimise the risk of falls or collapse.
Equipment, Maintenance and Personal Protective Equipment
All tools, equipment and vehicles used by Storage Hounslow will be selected, inspected and maintained to ensure they are safe and suitable for their intended purpose. Defective equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of use until it has been repaired or replaced.
Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear and high-visibility clothing, will be provided where risk assessments indicate that it is necessary. Employees are required to use and care for such equipment properly and report any damage or defects.
Training, Information and Supervision
We will ensure that all employees receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their roles. This includes training on manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, fire procedures and emergency arrangements.
Information on risks and control measures will be communicated clearly, and supervisors will provide appropriate levels of supervision to confirm that safe working practices are consistently followed.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses and hazardous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken. We will investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.
Emergency procedures, including fire evacuation and first aid arrangements, will be in place, communicated to all employees and tested regularly. Suitable first aid provisions will be maintained at our premises and in our vehicles where appropriate.
Health, Welfare and Wellbeing
Storage Hounslow recognises the importance of protecting both the physical and mental health of employees. We will take reasonable steps to ensure safe working hours, manage fatigue risks associated with driving and handling tasks, and provide welfare facilities such as rest areas and sanitary conveniences.
Employees are encouraged to raise any health or wellbeing concerns in confidence so that appropriate support and adjustments can be considered.
Consultation, Monitoring and Review
We are committed to consulting with employees on health and safety matters, including changes to working practices, introduction of new equipment and the findings of risk assessments. Feedback from staff is valued and will be used to improve our arrangements.
Compliance with this policy will be monitored through inspections, audits and incident reviews. The health and safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our operations, relevant legislation or best practice within the storage and removals sector.
By working together and following this policy, Storage Hounslow aims to maintain a safe, healthy and secure environment for everyone involved in our storage and removal services.
