Health and Safety Policy for Storage Kentish Town
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Storage Kentish Town manages the safety and wellbeing of employees, contractors, customers and visitors in connection with our storage facilities and removal services. We are committed to preventing injury and ill health, complying with relevant health and safety legislation, and continually improving our standards and practices.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Storage Kentish Town recognises its duty to provide and maintain a safe and healthy working environment. Our objective is to operate our storage and removals services without causing harm, damage or unnecessary risk to people, property or the environment. We aim to identify hazards, assess risks and implement appropriate control measures in all areas of our operations.
All managers and supervisors are responsible for promoting a positive safety culture and ensuring that safe systems of work are followed. All employees and contractors are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Kentish Town is responsible for implementing this policy and providing the resources needed to maintain high standards of health and safety. This includes suitable equipment, safe storage environments, appropriate training and effective supervision of work activities such as packing, loading, unloading and transporting goods.
Management will review this policy regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective. Changes in legislation, industry best practice or company operations will be reflected in updated procedures and communicated to staff in a timely manner.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a responsibility to work safely and follow the health and safety arrangements put in place. Employees must:
Use equipment, vehicles and storage facilities only as instructed and with due care. Cooperate fully with training, supervision and safety instructions. Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions and defects to their supervisor without delay. Wear any personal protective equipment provided where it is required for a task. Refrain from any behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk, including unsafe manual handling or improper stacking of items.
Employees are encouraged to raise concerns and suggestions related to health and safety so that improvements can be made openly and constructively.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Kentish Town carries out risk assessments for all significant activities, including receiving goods into storage, handling heavy or awkward items, operating removal vehicles, and moving goods within storage areas. These assessments identify hazards, evaluate the level of risk, and specify control measures.
Safe systems of work are developed from the findings of risk assessments. These systems detail the correct methods for lifting, carrying, loading, securing and unloading items, as well as the safe use of equipment such as trolleys, lifting aids and vehicle ramps. All staff are expected to follow these systems and report any issues that prevent them from working safely.
Manual Handling and Safe Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of storage and removal activities and can present significant risk of injury if not properly controlled. Storage Kentish Town provides manual handling training that covers assessing loads, adopting correct posture, working in pairs or teams for heavy items, and using mechanical aids wherever possible.
Employees must avoid lifting loads that are too heavy or unstable for them to manage safely. Items should be packed and secured in a way that allows for safe lifting and movement. When working on removal jobs, particular care is taken around stairs, narrow access points and uneven surfaces.
Storage Safety and Site Conditions
Safe storage conditions are essential to prevent falls, collisions and damage to property. Storage Kentish Town maintains clear walkways, well organised storage areas and appropriate lighting. Items must be stacked securely, with heavier goods at lower levels and lighter items above, to avoid toppling.
Fire safety measures are maintained, including clear emergency exits, appropriate extinguishing equipment and instructions for staff and visitors on evacuation procedures. Smoking is restricted to designated areas away from storage units and vehicles. Housekeeping standards are monitored so that obstructions, spillages and waste do not create slip, trip or fire hazards.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Removal vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, with regular inspections and servicing. Only authorised and competent drivers are permitted to operate vehicles on behalf of Storage Kentish Town. Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, speed limits and company rules on safe driving and loading.
Loads must be evenly distributed and securely fastened to prevent movement during transit. Drivers are responsible for checking that doors, ramps and tail lifts are correctly closed or stowed before moving the vehicle, and that loading and unloading are carried out in a safe location with regard to other road users and pedestrians.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Kentish Town provides appropriate induction and ongoing training for all employees to ensure they understand their health and safety responsibilities. Training may include manual handling, equipment use, vehicle safety, fire procedures and emergency response.
Supervisors monitor working practices on site and during removals to ensure that procedures are followed. Where new equipment or methods are introduced, additional instruction and guidance are provided. Information about risks and control measures is communicated clearly to all affected staff.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible. Storage Kentish Town keeps records of such incidents, investigates the causes and takes appropriate action to prevent recurrence.
Emergency procedures are in place for fire, medical incidents, spills and other potential emergencies. Staff are informed of these procedures and their roles during an emergency, including raising the alarm, assisting with evacuation where safe to do so, and contacting emergency services.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Kentish Town takes reasonable steps to ensure that customers and visitors are not exposed to unnecessary risks when accessing our storage facilities or engaging our removal services. Visitors are expected to follow site rules, heed safety signage and cooperate with staff instructions.
Customers are encouraged to pack items securely, label fragile or heavy goods clearly and disclose any special handling requirements. Where customers are present during loading or unloading, they must stay clear of moving vehicles, lifting operations and stacked goods.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy reflects the current arrangements for managing risks associated with storage and removals. Storage Kentish Town is committed to continuous improvement and will review this policy regularly, or following any significant change in operations or relevant legislation.
All staff are made aware of this policy and are encouraged to contribute to safer ways of working so that storage and removal services are delivered with the highest regard for health and safety.
