Health and Safety Policy for Storage Wormwood Scrubs
Storage Wormwood Scrubs is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our customers, employees, contractors and visitors. This policy sets out the principles and arrangements we follow to manage health and safety across our storage facilities and associated moving and removal activities.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health by identifying risks, implementing sensible controls and continually improving our safety performance. We will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards relevant to storage, handling and removal services.
Health and safety is an integral part of our day to day operations. Managers, employees and contractors are expected to take personal responsibility for following this policy and for working in a way that protects themselves and others.
Responsibilities and Management
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who will ensure that appropriate resources, training and supervision are provided. Managers are responsible for implementing this policy within their areas, monitoring standards, and responding promptly to any issues raised.
All employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of anyone who may be affected by their actions at work. This includes cooperating with instructions, using equipment correctly, reporting hazards, and participating in training.
Contractors, including removal teams and external service providers, must comply with this policy and any site specific rules. They are required to operate safely, use suitable equipment, and ensure that their own staff are trained and supervised.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We will carry out and regularly review risk assessments for our storage facilities, offices, loading areas and any activities related to moving, lifting and transporting goods. Control measures will be implemented to reduce risks to an acceptable level, and safe systems of work will be documented where appropriate.
Risk assessments will cover, as relevant, manual handling, use of trolleys and lifting aids, movement of vehicles, use of access equipment, fire safety, slips and trips, storage of goods, and interaction between customers, staff and contractors. Findings of risk assessments will be communicated to affected persons.
Training, Information and Supervision
We will provide employees with adequate information, instruction and training to enable them to work safely. This may include induction training, manual handling techniques, safe use of equipment, emergency procedures, and specific training for staff involved in removal and handling activities.
Supervisors will ensure that staff understand and follow safe working methods, and that new or temporary workers receive appropriate guidance. Safety information and site rules will be clearly communicated to customers and contractors when they use our storage and removal services.
Safe Use of Equipment and Facilities
All equipment provided for lifting, moving and storing items, including trolleys, pallet trucks, ramps and access equipment, must be suitable for the intended use and maintained in a safe condition. Defective equipment must be removed from use and reported immediately.
Storage areas will be arranged to allow safe access and egress, with aisles and emergency routes kept clear. Units must be loaded and stacked in a stable and secure manner, taking account of weight limits, height restrictions and the nature of stored goods.
Manual Handling and Removal Activities
Manual handling is a significant part of storage and removal operations. We will minimise the need for hazardous manual lifting by using mechanical aids wherever practicable and by planning tasks carefully.
Employees and contractors must assess loads before lifting, use correct posture and techniques, and seek assistance with heavy or awkward items. Removal activities must be organised so that loading, unloading and transport are carried out safely, with particular attention to steps, ramps, uneven ground and confined spaces.
Vehicle and Traffic Safety
Vehicle movements in and around the premises, including removal vehicles and customer vehicles, will be managed to reduce the risk of collision and injury. Where necessary, designated loading zones, speed limits and one way systems will be used to separate vehicles from pedestrians.
Drivers are responsible for operating vehicles safely, parking in appropriate areas, and following site traffic rules. Reversing should be minimised, and banksmen or guides should be used where there is restricted visibility.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We will maintain appropriate fire detection, alarm and firefighting equipment and ensure that emergency exits and escape routes are clearly marked and unobstructed. Fire risk assessments will be carried out and reviewed periodically.
Employees will be trained in fire and emergency procedures, including evacuation routes and assembly points. Customers and contractors will be informed of relevant site rules, prohibited activities such as smoking in non designated areas, and restrictions on storing hazardous or flammable materials.
Cleanliness, Housekeeping and Welfare
Good housekeeping is essential for safety. All areas will be kept as clean and tidy as reasonably practicable to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls. Spills and obstructions must be dealt with promptly, and waste must be stored and disposed of safely.
Suitable welfare facilities, including toilets and hand washing facilities, will be provided and maintained for employees and visitors. Drinking water will be available, and reasonable comfort conditions will be maintained so far as practicable.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, near misses, dangerous occurrences and health concerns must be reported to management without delay. An accident reporting system will be maintained to record incidents and identify trends.
Where necessary, incidents will be investigated to determine root causes and to implement corrective measures. Lessons learned will be shared with relevant staff and contractors to prevent recurrence.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Employees and contractors are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about working practices.
This policy and its implementation will be reviewed regularly, and at least annually, to ensure it remains effective and up to date. Changes in legislation, technology, or the nature of our storage and removal services will be reflected in updated procedures, training and controls.
Policy Review and Availability
This Health and Safety Policy is approved by company management and is available to employees, customers, contractors and other interested parties on request. It will be reviewed periodically and revised as necessary to reflect our ongoing commitment to providing safe storage and removal services at Storage Wormwood Scrubs.
