Storage Wimbledon Health and Safety Policy
Storage Wimbledon is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our customers, employees, contractors and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to protecting people, property and the environment across our storage facilities and related removal services. We aim to prevent accidents, work related ill health and unsafe situations through effective planning, training and supervision.
Policy Aims and Commitment
Our goal is to achieve high standards of health and safety performance in all aspects of our storage and removal activities. We will actively work to identify hazards, assess risks and implement control measures to minimise the likelihood of harm. We are committed to complying with all applicable health and safety legislation and to continually improving our arrangements through regular review and consultation.
Health and safety is an integral part of our day to day operations, including the management of storage units, handling of customer goods, loading and unloading of vehicles, and the conduct of removal and transport services linked to our facilities.
Responsibilities
The overall responsibility for health and safety lies with the company management, who will ensure that appropriate resources, systems and competent persons are in place. Management will:
Provide and maintain safe premises, equipment and systems of work. Ensure that risk assessments and safe working procedures are in place for storage, handling, lifting, driving and associated activities. Promote a positive health and safety culture throughout the business.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy on a daily basis. They will monitor working practices, ensure staff follow agreed procedures and address unsafe behaviour or conditions promptly. They will also ensure that new and temporary staff receive appropriate induction and supervision.
All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must follow safety rules, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents immediately and cooperate fully with health and safety initiatives and investigations.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will carry out regular risk assessments for key activities, including the movement and storage of goods, manual handling of items, operation of handling equipment, operation of vehicles, and customer access to storage units. The findings of these assessments will be used to develop safe systems of work and practical controls.
Controls may include physical measures such as barriers, signage and lighting, as well as procedural measures such as one way traffic flows, designated loading zones and safe stacking limits within storage units and vehicles. These arrangements are designed to reduce the risk of slips, trips, falls, collisions, overloading and damage to property.
Manual Handling and Lifting Operations
Manual handling is a significant element of storage and removal activities. We will minimise manual handling where reasonably practicable through the use of handling aids such as trolleys and pallet trucks, mechanical lifting equipment where appropriate, and sensible packing and loading practices.
All staff involved in lifting and carrying items will receive training on good manual handling techniques, safe weight limits, team lifting procedures and the importance of planning each lift. Particular care will be taken when handling bulky, heavy or awkward items, and when loading or unloading vehicles.
Vehicle, Traffic and Loading Safety
Our operations often involve the use of vehicles for collection, delivery and removal services. We will manage vehicle and pedestrian movements to reduce the risk of accidents by establishing safe routes for vehicles and pedestrians, ensuring loading and unloading is carried out in designated areas, and providing appropriate signage and markings where required.
Drivers must hold the correct licence, follow road traffic laws, and operate vehicles in a safe and considerate manner at all times. Vehicles and associated equipment will be maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition, with defects reported and addressed promptly.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
We will maintain our storage facilities in a clean, orderly and safe condition. Good housekeeping is essential to prevent slips, trips and falls, ensure safe access and egress, and enable emergency routes to remain clear. Floors, corridors, stairs, loading bays and storage areas must be kept free of obstructions as far as reasonably possible.
Lighting, ventilation and temperature will be managed so far as is reasonably practicable to provide a safe and comfortable working environment. Storage units and common areas will be monitored to prevent unsafe stacking, blocked aisles or inappropriate storage of goods.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We will identify fire risks associated with our storage and removal operations and implement suitable controls. This includes maintaining appropriate detection and warning systems, providing sufficient fire fighting equipment, and clearly marking fire exits and escape routes.
Staff will receive information and training on fire precautions, evacuation procedures and the location of assembly points. Fire drills will be carried out periodically, and any issues identified will be addressed. Customers and visitors will be made aware of emergency routes and instructions while on site.
Hazardous Substances and Prohibited Items
Certain items present increased health and safety risks when stored or moved. We will clearly state which substances and goods cannot be stored or transported through our services, with the aim of preventing fire, explosion, chemical exposure or environmental damage.
Where substances are permitted but still present some risk, we will assess these risks and ensure that appropriate controls, labelling and handling procedures are in place. Employees will be informed of any necessary precautions and personal protective equipment requirements.
Training, Information and Supervision
We are committed to providing employees with adequate health and safety training, instruction and supervision suitable to their roles. This will include induction training for new employees, job specific training on equipment and procedures, refresher training as required, and updates when procedures or risks change.
Information on safe working practices, emergency procedures and company rules will be communicated clearly and made available for reference. Supervisors will monitor competence and provide additional support where needed.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, near misses, injuries and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly so they can be investigated and appropriate actions taken. We use these reports to learn from events, improve our controls, and prevent similar incidents in the future.
We will periodically review this Health and Safety Policy, our risk assessments and our working practices, taking into account changes in legislation, guidance, industry practice and our own operational experience. Where improvements are identified, we will implement them as soon as reasonably practicable.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy reflects the current arrangements at Storage Wimbledon for safeguarding the wellbeing of all who use or work within our facilities and associated removal services. It will be reviewed regularly and revised as necessary to ensure that it remains effective, relevant and aligned with our commitment to continual improvement in health and safety performance.
