Storage Aldborough Hatch Health And Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Storage Aldborough Hatch manages the safety and wellbeing of employees, contractors, customers and visitors across our storage and removal operations. Our objective is to prevent injury, protect health and maintain safe, tidy and secure premises and vehicles at all times.
Policy Statement
Storage Aldborough Hatch is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment. We take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent accidents, work related ill health and damage to property. Health and safety is integral to our storage facilities, offices, loading areas and removal activities, including packing, lifting, loading, transport and unloading.
This policy applies to all employees, agency staff, contractors, customers and visitors who enter our premises or interact with our services.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for health and safety within Storage Aldborough Hatch. This includes setting objectives, providing adequate resources, monitoring performance and reviewing this policy regularly. Managers and supervisors are required to:
Promote a positive safety culture and lead by example. Ensure risk assessments are carried out, implemented and kept up to date. Provide clear instructions, information and supervision to employees. Make sure all equipment, storage units and vehicles are properly maintained and safe to use. Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and implement corrective actions.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must:
Follow company safety procedures and safe systems of work. Use equipment, vehicles and safety devices correctly. Report hazards, defects, near misses and unsafe practices promptly. Attend health and safety training and apply what they have learned. Cooperate with managers and supervisors to enable the company to meet its legal and moral obligations.
Risk Assessment And Safe Working Practices
We conduct regular risk assessments covering our storage facilities, offices, loading bays, car parks and removal operations. The findings are used to establish safe working practices for tasks such as handling customer goods, stacking and retrieving items, operating lifting equipment and driving vehicles.
Safe systems of work focus on controlling hazards associated with manual handling, slips and trips, working at height in storage areas, vehicle movements, use of trolleys and handling fragile or heavy items during removals. Procedures are reviewed after significant changes in operations, new equipment or incidents.
Manual Handling And Lifting
Manual handling and lifting are key elements of our storage and removal activities. To reduce the risk of strain, sprain and other musculoskeletal injuries, Storage Aldborough Hatch:
Provides training in safe lifting techniques and correct use of handling aids. Uses trolleys, sack trucks and other mechanical aids where reasonably practicable. Encourages staff to assess the weight, shape and stability of loads before moving them. Requires team lifting where items are bulky or heavy. Instructs staff never to exceed their personal capability or ignore discomfort or pain.
Safe Storage Areas And Housekeeping
Good housekeeping is essential for safe storage operations. Aisles, walkways, fire exits and access routes to storage units and loading areas must be kept clear at all times. Rubbish, packaging and discarded materials are removed regularly to prevent obstruction, fire risk and vermin.
Racking, shelving and storage structures are inspected periodically for damage or instability. Goods are stacked securely, with heavier items positioned at lower levels wherever possible. Any damage to fixtures, fittings or structural elements is reported immediately and isolated where necessary until made safe.
Vehicles, Driving And Loading
Our removal vehicles and any other company vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy, safe condition with appropriate inspections and servicing. Drivers must hold the correct licence, be medically fit to drive and comply with road safety rules as well as our internal driving standards.
Loading and unloading procedures are designed to prevent falls, crush injuries and load shift during transit. Staff are trained in safe loading patterns, securing goods, use of ramps and handling equipment, and safe working around moving vehicles. Reversing and manoeuvring are controlled to minimise risk to pedestrians, with banksmen used where necessary.
Fire Safety And Emergency Procedures
Storage Aldborough Hatch maintains appropriate fire detection and alarm systems, fire extinguishers and clearly marked escape routes. Fire exits must be kept unlocked and unobstructed when the premises are occupied.
Emergency procedures are displayed at suitable locations and include instructions for raising the alarm, evacuation routes, assembly points and responsibilities for fire marshals. Fire drills are carried out at intervals to ensure staff understand what to do in an emergency.
Security And Visitor Safety
Security measures are in place to protect both people and property. Visitors and customers are required to follow site safety instructions, observe signage, park in designated areas and remain within authorised zones. Children and pets must be supervised at all times.
Contractors working on site must comply with our safety procedures, cooperate with our staff and use appropriate protective equipment. Work permits or method statements may be required for higher risk activities.
Training, Information And Supervision
We provide information, instruction and training appropriate to each role, including induction training for new starters and refresher training where required. Topics may include manual handling, vehicle safety, fire safety, use of equipment, emergency procedures and safe working in storage areas.
Supervisors are responsible for monitoring working practices and correcting unsafe behaviour. Additional guidance is provided when tasks change, new equipment is introduced or new risks are identified.
Accident Reporting And Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible. Details are recorded and investigated to identify causes, learn lessons and prevent recurrence.
Where necessary, corrective measures may include changes to procedures, additional training, engineering controls, maintenance or improved supervision. Staff are encouraged to report concerns without fear of blame, as learning and improvement are central to our safety culture.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, services or legal obligations. Updated versions are communicated to employees and made available to customers and visitors on request.
By working together to follow these principles and procedures, Storage Aldborough Hatch aims to provide a safe and healthy environment for everyone involved in our storage and removal services.
