Health and Safety Policy for Storage New Barnet
Storage New Barnet is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, contractors, visitors and customers. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage, removals, handling of goods and related activities carried out on our premises and at customer locations.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
We aim to prevent injury and ill health arising from our work by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. We will maintain safe working conditions, provide appropriate training and supervision, and promote a positive safety culture throughout our storage and removal operations.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, monitored and reviewed regularly. Management will:
Provide and maintain safe facilities, equipment and systems of work appropriate to storage and removals activities.
Ensure that significant risks are identified and managed through regular risk assessments and safe working procedures.
Allocate adequate resources for health and safety, including training, equipment, maintenance and supervision.
Ensure that incidents, near misses and concerns are reported, investigated and used to improve safety performance.
Review this policy periodically and when there are significant changes in legislation, operations or locations.
Employee Responsibilities
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:
Follow all safety instructions, training and safe systems of work relevant to storage units, handling of goods and removals tasks.
Use equipment, vehicles, tools and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Maintain good housekeeping in storage areas, corridors, loading zones and vehicles to prevent slips, trips and falls.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards to management without delay.
Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and any associated procedures.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Risk assessments will be carried out for key activities, including but not limited to manual handling, storage of goods, operation of lifting equipment, vehicle loading and unloading, working at height where relevant and customer site work associated with removals. The findings of these assessments will be recorded, communicated to staff and reviewed regularly.
Safe systems of work will be established and maintained to control identified risks. These systems will be supported by method statements and clear instructions, particularly for high risk activities such as heavy lifting, use of trolleys and ramps, and movement of goods in narrow or confined areas.
Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Manual handling is a core element of storage and removals activities. To minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injury we will:
Provide training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting and the correct use of handling aids.
Plan jobs to reduce unnecessary lifting, carrying and repetitive movements.
Use suitable equipment such as trolleys, dollies and straps to assist with moving heavy or awkward items.
Encourage employees to assess each lift individually and to seek assistance when in doubt.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Where vehicles are used for removals and transport of goods, we will promote safe driving and loading practices. This includes:
Ensuring vehicles used for work are roadworthy, regularly inspected and maintained.
Training drivers in safe driving techniques, route planning and securing loads.
Implementing safe loading and unloading procedures, including use of appropriate loading areas and equipment.
Preventing unauthorised use of vehicles and ensuring that only competent, authorised personnel drive company vehicles.
Storage Areas and Facility Safety
We will maintain our storage facility and associated areas in a safe condition by:
Ensuring storage units, racking and shelving are suitable for the loads placed on them and used within their limits.
Keeping walkways, stairways and access routes clear, well lit and free from obstructions.
Managing the storage of goods to prevent collapse, falling items or blocked exits.
Monitoring temperature, ventilation and other environmental conditions as appropriate for the safe storage of goods and comfort of personnel.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We will take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of fire and ensure appropriate emergency arrangements are in place. This includes:
Carrying out fire risk assessments and implementing control measures.
Providing and maintaining suitable fire detection, alarm and firefighting equipment.
Keeping escape routes and exits clear and clearly signposted.
Providing information on emergency procedures, including evacuation arrangements and assembly points.
Carrying out periodic drills and reviews of emergency planning.
Welfare, Training and Information
We will ensure that welfare facilities, such as toilets, washing facilities and rest areas, are available and maintained. Employees will receive appropriate induction and ongoing health and safety training relevant to their roles in storage and removals work. Information about risks, procedures and responsibilities will be communicated through training sessions, signage, briefings and written instructions where required.
Contractors, Visitors and Customers
Contractors working on our premises will be required to follow our health and safety rules and to work in a way that does not put others at risk. Visitors and customers will be given relevant safety information, particularly when accessing storage areas, loading zones or vehicle movement areas. We will take reasonable steps to supervise or control access where there are significant risks present.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Health and safety performance will be monitored through inspections, audits, incident reports and reviews of working practices. Where areas for improvement are identified, action plans will be developed and implemented. This policy will be reviewed at regular intervals and updated as necessary to reflect changes in operations, legislation or industry best practice in the storage and removals sector.
This Health and Safety policy demonstrates the commitment of Storage New Barnet to protecting people, property and the environment in all aspects of our storage and removal activities.
