Storage Stockwell Health and Safety Policy
Storage Stockwell is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our customers, employees, contractors, and visitors. This Health and Safety policy sets out our principles, responsibilities, and procedures to manage risks across our storage facilities and associated removal and handling activities.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary aim is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health. We will achieve this by identifying and managing risks, providing appropriate training, and promoting safe working practices at all times. We seek continuous improvement in our performance, particularly in relation to handling, loading and unloading, and the movement and storage of goods.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Storage Stockwell holds overall responsibility for health and safety performance. This includes ensuring that appropriate systems, resources, and supervision are in place so that all activities, including those related to removal and transport of items to and from storage, are carried out safely and in compliance with applicable health and safety legislation.
Management will ensure that:
They provide and maintain safe premises, equipment, and systems of work. They assess significant risks and implement suitable control measures. They arrange regular inspections of storage areas, loading bays, access routes, and vehicles used for collection or delivery. They provide information, instruction, and training to employees on relevant health and safety topics, including manual handling and safe use of equipment. They investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including those involved in handling customer goods or supporting removal-related tasks, have 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.
Employees are expected to:
Follow all safety procedures and instructions provided by Storage Stockwell. Use equipment, tools, and vehicles correctly and in accordance with training given. Report hazards, defects, or unsafe conditions immediately to a manager or supervisor. Wear any required personal protective equipment when performing relevant tasks. Refrain from misusing or interfering with anything provided for health, safety, or welfare.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Stockwell is committed to ensuring that customers and visitors can access our facilities safely. Clear signage will be provided to indicate access routes, loading areas, and any restricted zones. Floors, corridors, and stairways will be kept as clear as reasonably practicable, and any temporary obstructions will be managed and marked.
Customers using loading bays or moving items into or out of storage units are expected to act with due care, follow site guidance, and comply with any reasonable instructions issued by Storage Stockwell staff. Where larger removals are taking place, customers may be advised to use trained personnel or professional removal teams to minimise risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out risk assessments to identify potential hazards associated with storage operations and related removal and handling activities. These assessments cover areas such as manual handling, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, working in confined spaces such as storage units, vehicular movement in loading areas, and fire and emergency arrangements.
Based on these assessments, Storage Stockwell adopts safe systems of work designed to reduce risks to an acceptable level. This may include designated walkways and vehicle routes, limits on the height and method of stacking goods, procedures for handling heavy or awkward items, maintenance schedules for lifting aids, and emergency response plans.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling tasks, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling items, are a significant source of potential injury. Storage Stockwell will take all reasonably practicable steps to reduce manual handling risks by providing suitable handling aids, offering guidance on safe lifting techniques, and encouraging the use of professional removal services when appropriate.
Employees must use trolleys, lifting devices, and other equipment only for their intended purposes and must not operate any equipment for which they have not been trained or authorised. Customers are encouraged to use available handling aids correctly and to ask for assistance when moving heavy, bulky, or fragile items.
Vehicle and Loading Area Safety
Where vehicles are used for the transport of goods to and from our storage facilities, Storage Stockwell will promote safe loading and unloading practices. Loading areas will be kept as orderly as possible, with attention given to level surfaces, lighting, and signage. Staff will be trained to secure loads safely, avoid overloading, and prevent falls from vehicles or loading ramps.
Vehicle movements on site will be controlled to minimise risks to pedestrians. All users of the site must follow the indicated routes and observe any speed limits or traffic management arrangements.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Stockwell will maintain appropriate fire safety measures, including detection and alarm systems where applicable, clear escape routes, and designated assembly points. Fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment will be provided and maintained as required.
Employees will receive instruction on emergency procedures, including reporting of fires, evacuation routes, and assisting customers and visitors during an incident. Fire exits and emergency routes must be kept clear at all times.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We recognise that effective training and supervision are essential to maintaining a safe environment. Storage Stockwell will ensure that employees receive adequate training relevant to their roles, including induction training, task-specific instruction, and periodic refresher sessions where appropriate.
Information on site rules, emergency procedures, and safe use of equipment will be communicated to staff, customers, and contractors as needed. Supervisors will monitor working practices and intervene where unsafe behaviour or conditions are identified.
Contractors and Third Parties
Contractors carrying out work on behalf of Storage Stockwell must adhere to this Health and Safety policy and any specific site rules. Before commencing work, contractors may be required to provide evidence of their own health and safety arrangements and to cooperate with any risk assessments or permit to work requirements.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
Storage Stockwell will monitor health and safety performance through inspections, audits, and review of incident reports. We are committed to continuous improvement and will update our procedures as necessary in light of changes in operations, legislation, best practice, or identified areas for improvement.
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and revised where appropriate to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our storage and removal support services.
