Storage Heston Health and Safety Policy
Storage Heston is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage, removals, handling, transportation and related activities carried out on our premises or in connection with our services.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health by identifying and controlling hazards connected with storage operations, removal services and associated workplace activities. We work to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and strive for continuous improvement in our standards and performance.
Health and safety is a core part of our business management and decision making. Management at all levels are responsible for ensuring that safe working practices are implemented, maintained and regularly reviewed.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with senior management, who ensure that this policy is implemented and resourced. Managers and supervisors are responsible for:
Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out and kept up to date.
Providing appropriate information, instruction and training.
Monitoring the condition of equipment, vehicles and storage facilities.
Promoting a positive safety culture and leading by example.
Employees are responsible for:
Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Following safety instructions, safe systems of work and training provided.
Using equipment safely and reporting any defects or concerns immediately.
Reporting accidents, incidents, near misses or hazards as soon as possible.
Contractors and temporary workers engaged by Storage Heston are required to comply with this policy and with all safety rules and procedures in place while on our premises or undertaking work on our behalf.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out risk assessments for all significant hazards associated with our storage and removal operations. This includes activities such as loading and unloading vehicles, manual handling of goods, operation of handling equipment, movement of vehicles on site, use of storage units and interaction with customers.
Based on these assessments, we establish safe systems of work and provide clear instructions to employees and contractors. These are periodically reviewed, particularly after an incident, change in process, introduction of new equipment or expansion of our services.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key aspect of storage and removal work. To reduce the risk of injury:
Staff receive training on correct lifting techniques, use of handling aids and recognition of personal limits.
Mechanical aids such as trolleys and pallet trucks are provided where appropriate.
Loads are assessed before moving to ensure they are within safe limits and properly secured.
Team lifts are used for heavy or awkward items, and customers are advised not to exceed safe loading guidance.
Vehicles, Traffic and Transport Safety
Our operations may involve vehicles used for removals, collections and deliveries. To manage traffic and transport risks:
Drivers are required to hold appropriate licences and to follow company driving standards and road safety rules.
Vehicles are maintained and inspected regularly to ensure they are safe and roadworthy.
Loading areas are organised to minimise reversing and reduce interaction between vehicles and pedestrians.
Loads are checked to ensure they are evenly distributed, secure and within permitted weight limits.
Storage Facilities and Equipment
We maintain our storage facilities to ensure they are safe, clean and well organised. This includes:
Keeping access routes, walkways, stairways and fire exits clear at all times.
Ensuring doors, locks and security devices operate correctly and safely.
Inspecting shelving, racking and units to check for damage or instability.
Maintaining lighting and ventilation at appropriate levels.
Handling equipment and tools are regularly inspected, maintained and removed from use if found to be defective. Only trained and authorised personnel are permitted to operate specialist equipment.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We recognise the importance of fire safety in storage environments and in connection with removal activities. Our arrangements include:
Maintaining fire detection and firefighting equipment appropriate to the premises.
Providing clearly marked and unobstructed escape routes and exits.
Displaying emergency instructions and evacuation information where they can be easily seen.
Conducting regular checks of alarms and emergency lighting.
Ensuring staff are familiar with emergency procedures, including how to raise the alarm and assist safe evacuation.
Hazardous Substances and Prohibited Items
To protect people and property, certain items and substances must not be stored or transported as part of our services. This includes items that are explosive, flammable, toxic, corrosive or otherwise hazardous. Customers are informed of these restrictions and are required to comply with them.
Where substances such as cleaning products or vehicle maintenance materials are used in our operations, they are managed in accordance with their safety information, stored securely and used by trained personnel only.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Heston provides appropriate health and safety training and information to employees based on their roles and responsibilities. This includes induction training, job specific instruction and refresher training where necessary. Supervisors monitor work practices and support staff to maintain safe standards, especially where new tasks or methods are introduced.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near misses, property damage and health and safety concerns must be reported promptly to management. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Where required, incidents are recorded and retained in accordance with legal and company requirements.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage employees to contribute ideas and raise concerns about health and safety. Feedback from staff, customers and contractors is used to improve our procedures, training and facilities. This policy and associated arrangements are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain effective, relevant and aligned with best practice in the storage and removals sector.
By working together and following this policy, everyone involved with Storage Heston helps to maintain a safe and healthy environment for our staff, our customers and the wider community.
