Storage Kingston upon Thames Health and Safety Policy
Storage Kingston upon Thames is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across our storage and removal operations, including premises, vehicles, handling of goods, and associated services.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage, and disruption to services by identifying and controlling risks. We will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and continually seek to improve our standards. Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver storage and removal services.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety lies with the company management, who will ensure that appropriate systems, resources, and training are in place. Management will:
Set clear health and safety objectives and review performance.
Provide safe and well-maintained premises, vehicles, equipment, and work systems.
Ensure that risk assessments are carried out and control measures are implemented, monitored, and reviewed.
Ensure that employees are competent for their roles and receive suitable instruction, information, and training.
Employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. All staff are required to:
Follow company safety procedures and instructions at all times.
Use equipment correctly and report defects immediately.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses, and any unsafe conditions.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment where required.
Customers, contractors, and visitors are expected to cooperate with our safety measures, follow on-site instructions, and behave responsibly while on our premises or when interacting with our removal teams.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will identify hazards associated with storage, handling, loading, unloading, transport, and access to units. Risk assessments will be documented, reviewed regularly, and updated following any significant change in operations or an incident.
Safe systems of work will be developed for tasks such as manual handling, working in confined or elevated spaces, operating vehicles and lifting equipment, and handling fragile or heavy items. These procedures will be communicated clearly to employees and monitored for effectiveness.
Manual Handling and Lifting
The storage and removals environment involves regular lifting, carrying, and moving of goods. To reduce the risk of injury, we will:
Provide manual handling training for relevant staff.
Encourage the use of trolleys, dollies, and other mechanical aids.
Assess heavy or awkward loads and use team lifting where necessary.
Discourage unsafe lifting by customers and provide guidance on safe practices.
Employees and customers must not attempt to lift items that are beyond their capability, or that could cause injury or damage.
Premises, Access, and Housekeeping
We aim to maintain clean, tidy, and well-organised premises. This includes storage areas, corridors, loading bays, stairways, lifts, and parking areas. We will:
Keep access routes, fire exits, and emergency equipment unobstructed.
Ensure floors, ramps, and steps are in good condition and as free as reasonably practicable from trip and slip hazards.
Provide adequate lighting in all operational and customer areas.
Manage waste and packaging materials so they do not create hazards.
Visitors and customers must follow on-site signage, park only in designated areas, and ensure that their own goods are stacked and stored safely within units.
Vehicles, Driving, and Loading
Our removal and transport activities will be managed to minimise risk on the road and on-site. We will:
Maintain vehicles and equipment in a safe, roadworthy condition.
Plan loading and unloading to avoid unnecessary reversing and congestion.
Secure loads properly to prevent movement or damage during transit.
Provide guidance to staff on safe driving, parking, and reversing.
Drivers must comply with traffic laws, drive responsibly, and never operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that may impair performance.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We will take all reasonable measures to reduce fire risks and ensure effective emergency response. This includes:
Maintaining fire detection and alarm systems where installed.
Providing appropriate fire extinguishers and emergency lighting.
Keeping fire exits clear and clearly marked.
Displaying instructions for evacuation and emergency contacts on-site.
Staff will receive instructions on what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency. Customers and visitors must follow directions given by staff and leave the premises promptly if instructed to do so.
Hazardous and Prohibited Items
To protect people and property, certain items may not be stored or transported as part of our services. These include, but are not limited to, flammable substances, explosives, compressed gas, corrosive or toxic materials, and perishable or illegal goods. Customers are responsible for ensuring that items placed into storage or moved by us are suitable, permitted, and safe.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We will provide staff with appropriate training on health and safety, including induction for new starters and refresher training where required. This may cover manual handling, equipment use, emergency procedures, safe driving, and site rules.
Supervisors will monitor working practices to ensure that procedures are followed and will address unsafe behaviour or conditions promptly.
Accidents, Incidents, and Reporting
All accidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Accident records will be kept and reviewed periodically to identify trends and opportunities for improvement in our storage and removal operations.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage staff feedback on health and safety matters and will consult with employees on proposed changes that may affect their safety. This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated in line with changes in legislation, industry best practice, and the nature of our services.
By using our services or entering our premises, customers, contractors, and visitors agree to cooperate with this Health and Safety Policy, helping to maintain a secure and efficient environment for everyone involved in storage and removals.
