Storage Bexleyheath Health and Safety Policy
Storage Bexleyheath is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks across our storage facilities and our associated removals and handling activities.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. We aim to continuously improve our health and safety performance and to integrate safe working practices into every aspect of our storage and removals operations.
Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety and will provide the leadership, resources and support necessary to implement this policy. All employees are required to cooperate fully and to take reasonable care of their own safety and the safety of others.
Legal Compliance and Standards
Storage Bexleyheath will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation, regulations and approved codes of practice relevant to storage, handling, transport and removals activities. Where reasonably practicable, we will adopt best practice standards that go beyond minimum legal requirements.
We will ensure that this policy and our supporting procedures are reviewed regularly and updated when legislation, guidance or operational practices change.
Responsibilities
Management is responsible for providing a safe working environment, suitable equipment, safe systems of work and appropriate training. Managers and supervisors must ensure that risk assessments are carried out, control measures are implemented and that employees follow all safety procedures.
Employees are responsible for working safely, using equipment correctly, following training and instructions, and reporting hazards, incidents or near misses without delay. Everyone on site must cooperate with health and safety arrangements and must not interfere with or misuse anything provided for safety purposes.
Contractors working on site must comply with this policy, our site rules and all relevant legislation. They must ensure their own employees and subcontractors are competent and suitably equipped to undertake the work safely.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will conduct and maintain risk assessments for key activities including storage operations, loading and unloading, removals, manual handling, use of vehicles, plant and equipment, and general site access. These assessments will identify hazards, evaluate risks and specify necessary control measures.
Safe systems of work and method statements will be developed where appropriate, communicated to relevant personnel and monitored for effectiveness. Risk assessments and procedures will be reviewed following incidents, significant changes to operations or at planned intervals.
Manual Handling and Removals Safety
Manual handling is central to storage and removals work and is recognised as a key risk area. We will minimise manual handling by using mechanical aids and planning tasks to reduce unnecessary lifting and carrying.
Employees involved in lifting, carrying, loading and unloading will receive training in safe manual handling techniques, including team lifting, correct posture, assessing loads and recognising their individual limits. Heavy, awkward or fragile items will be handled using appropriate equipment and methods.
Vehicles, Driving and Site Traffic
We will manage vehicle and pedestrian movements to reduce the risk of collision and other traffic incidents. This includes clear signage, designated loading areas, safe reversing procedures and the use of banksmen where needed.
Drivers must be competent, hold the necessary licences and follow all driving, loading and unloading procedures. Vehicles and lifting equipment will be inspected and maintained in safe working condition in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
We will maintain our storage areas, offices and loading zones in a clean, orderly and safe condition. Good housekeeping is essential to prevent slips, trips and falls and to allow safe access and egress at all times.
Walkways, fire exits and emergency access routes must be kept clear. Waste, packaging materials and other obstructions must be removed promptly and stored safely prior to disposal.
Storage Safety and Use of Equipment
Storage units, shelving and racking will be installed, used and maintained in line with safety guidance and load capacity limits. Customers and employees must stack items securely and avoid overloading shelves or creating unstable piles.
Any equipment used in storage or removals activities, including trolleys, dollies and lifting devices, must be suitable for the task and inspected regularly. Defective equipment must be taken out of service immediately and reported.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We will maintain effective fire safety arrangements, including suitable fire detection and alarm systems, firefighting equipment and clearly marked escape routes. Fire safety measures will be inspected and tested as required.
Emergency procedures will be in place for fire, accidents and other significant incidents. Employees will receive training on evacuation procedures, assembly points and how to raise the alarm. Drills will be conducted periodically to test the effectiveness of our arrangements.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees will receive induction training that includes health and safety responsibilities, site rules, emergency procedures and safe working practices. Role-specific training will be provided where activities involve higher risk, such as driving, lifting operations or working with specialist equipment.
Information on hazards and control measures will be communicated clearly and reinforced through supervision, briefings and signage. Competence will be monitored and additional training provided when required.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported as soon as practicable. We will maintain accurate records, investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Where required by law, incidents will be reported to the relevant enforcing authorities. Lessons learned from investigations will be shared with relevant employees and used to improve our systems and procedures.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in the development of safer working practices.
This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective, relevant and aligned with our commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for all those who use or work within Storage Bexleyheath and our removals services.
