Storage Edgware Health and Safety Policy
Storage Edgware is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, visitors and customers. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage operations, removals, handling, transport, and associated services. We aim to prevent injury and ill health and to promote a positive safety culture throughout our business.
Our policy applies to all company activities, including storage facilities, vehicles, handling equipment and any location where our removal and storage services are delivered.
Health and Safety Objectives
We will take all reasonably practicable steps to:
Minimise risks to employees, contractors, customers and the public arising from our storage and removal operations. Provide and maintain safe premises, vehicles, plant and equipment. Ensure safe systems of work for loading, unloading, packing, moving, storing and retrieving items. Provide suitable information, instruction, training and supervision to enable staff to work safely and competently. Encourage a culture where health and safety concerns can be raised and addressed promptly. Continually review and improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented, maintained and reviewed. Managers will:
Lead by example by following safe practices at all times. Allocate appropriate resources for health and safety, including time, personnel and equipment. Ensure risk assessments are completed, recorded and kept up to date for all key activities, including manual handling, vehicle use and storage operations. Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Communicate health and safety expectations clearly to employees and contractors.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must:
Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided by Storage Edgware. Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Refrain from misusing or interfering with any equipment provided for safety purposes. Report all accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards to their manager as soon as possible. Co-operate with management in implementing this policy and any related procedures.
Safe Premises and Equipment
Storage Edgware will maintain its storage areas, offices and associated facilities in a safe condition. We will:
Ensure walkways, stairs and loading areas are kept clear, well lit and free from slip and trip hazards. Implement safe access and egress arrangements for customers, staff and contractors. Inspect and maintain racking, shelving, containers and storage units to prevent collapse or damage. Provide suitable handling and lifting equipment for heavy or bulky items and maintain such equipment in safe working order. Ensure that fire detection, alarm and firefighting equipment is present where required and subject to regular checks.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is an integral part of storage and removal operations. To reduce the risk of injury, we will:
Assess manual handling tasks, especially those involving heavy, awkward or fragile items. Provide training in safe lifting techniques, team lifts and the use of trolleys, dollies and lifting aids. Plan removal and loading activities to minimise the need for hazardous manual handling. Encourage staff to seek assistance rather than attempting to move items beyond their safe capability.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Many services involve the use of vehicles for collection, removal and delivery. To promote road and loading area safety, Storage Edgware will:
Ensure that vehicles used for removal and transport are roadworthy, regularly serviced and appropriately insured. Provide guidance on safe driving practices, route planning, loading and unloading. Ensure loads are properly secured and distributed to maintain vehicle stability. Require drivers to comply with traffic laws and to drive in a manner that protects themselves, passengers and other road users.
Customer and Visitor Safety
We recognise our responsibility to safeguard customers and visitors who access our premises or interact with our removal and storage services. We will:
Provide clear signage for access, exits, loading areas and restricted zones. Inform customers of any relevant safety rules when they are present in operational areas. Manage customer access so that it does not conflict with vehicle movements, lifting operations or other higher-risk activities. Keep public areas tidy, well lit and free of unnecessary obstacles.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Edgware will maintain suitable arrangements for fire safety and emergencies. This includes:
Carrying out fire risk assessments and updating them when changes occur. Providing and maintaining fire alarms, extinguishers and emergency lighting where required. Ensuring escape routes are clearly marked, unobstructed and known to employees. Providing training to staff so they understand what to do in the event of fire, accident or other emergency. Conducting periodic checks and drills where appropriate.
Health, Welfare and Occupational Hygiene
We will support the health and welfare of our workforce by:
Providing access to welfare facilities such as toilets, washing facilities and break areas. Taking reasonable steps to control exposure to dust, noise and other potential occupational hazards that may arise in storage and removal operations. Considering individual needs and any known health conditions when planning tasks, particularly those involving manual handling or driving. Encouraging employees to report health concerns that could affect their ability to work safely.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Edgware will ensure that employees receive appropriate training for their roles. This may include:
Induction training on company health and safety rules, emergency procedures and safe use of equipment. Role-specific training for removal work, storage operations, forklift use, or other specialised tasks where required. Refresher training to reinforce safe behaviours and introduce any changes to procedures. Adequate supervision, particularly for new employees or those undertaking unfamiliar tasks.
Risk Assessment and Continuous Improvement
We will identify and manage risks through structured risk assessments that consider storage, removals, transport and on-site activities. Control measures will be implemented, monitored and reviewed regularly. Findings from risk assessments, incident investigations, inspections and staff feedback will be used to improve our systems and performance.
Senior management will periodically review this Health and Safety Policy to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with our operations and responsibilities. Any changes will be communicated to employees and, where relevant, to contractors and customers.
Health and safety is a shared responsibility. By working together, we aim to deliver safe, reliable storage and removal services while protecting everyone who may be affected by our activities.
