Storage Shepherds Bush Health and Safety Policy
Storage Shepherds Bush is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, customers and visitors. This policy sets out how we manage health and safety across our storage and removal operations, including day-to-day work in our premises and at customers locations.
Policy Statement
Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental impact arising from our activities. We will identify, assess and control health and safety risks associated with our storage and removal services, and we will continually seek to improve our standards and performance.
Health and safety is an integral part of how we operate. All work activities, including handling and moving goods, operating vehicles, using equipment, and interacting with customers, must be carried out in a way that protects people and property.
Legal Compliance and Standards
Storage Shepherds Bush will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards that apply to storage and removals work. We will monitor changes in legal requirements and good practice, and update our procedures when necessary.
We will maintain appropriate documentation, records of risk assessments and training, and evidence of inspections and maintenance, to demonstrate effective management of health and safety.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with senior management, who will ensure that adequate resources, training and supervision are provided. Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy in their areas of control, enforcing safe systems of work and addressing unsafe behaviour or conditions without delay.
Every employee and contractor is responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. This includes following all safety instructions, using equipment correctly, reporting hazards or incidents, and cooperating with any investigation or improvement measures.
Customers and visitors must comply with safety information, signage and any instructions given by our staff while on our premises. We will provide clear information about access routes, loading areas and any restricted zones to help maintain safety.
Risk Assessment and Control
We will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for our storage facilities, office areas, vehicle operations and removal work at customer sites. These assessments will consider hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, falls from height, vehicle movement, use of lifting equipment, fire, and exposure to hazardous substances.
Based on these assessments, we will implement control measures, which may include safe working procedures, training, protective equipment, housekeeping standards, maintenance regimes and emergency arrangements. Risk assessments will be reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur in our operations.
Safe Working Practices
All storage and removal activities must follow agreed safe systems of work. This includes the correct use of trolleys, lifting aids and other equipment, safe stacking and storage of goods, and secure loading and unloading of vehicles. Items will be packed, lifted and transported in ways that minimise the risk of injury or damage.
Staff must not attempt to lift or move loads that are beyond their capability or that cannot be handled safely using the equipment available. Team lifting and mechanical aids should be used wherever appropriate. Clear walkways and access routes must be maintained at all times to prevent slips, trips and collisions.
Vehicle drivers must follow safe driving practices, comply with all road traffic requirements, and ensure that loads are properly secured before vehicles move. Reversing and manoeuvring in confined areas must be managed carefully, using assistance where necessary.
Training, Information and Supervision
We will provide induction training for all new staff, including an explanation of this policy, emergency procedures, and key safety rules. Job-specific training will be given for manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle operation and any other tasks that present significant risk.
Refresher training and toolbox talks will be provided as needed to maintain awareness and competence. Supervisors will monitor work practices to ensure that training is applied in day-to-day activities and will correct unsafe behaviour promptly.
Health and safety information, including signage and written procedures, will be displayed or made available in appropriate locations so that employees, contractors and visitors understand the precautions they must take.
Equipment, Vehicles and Maintenance
All tools, lifting aids, storage systems and vehicles used in our operations will be suitable for their intended purpose and maintained in a safe condition. Regular inspections, servicing and, where required, statutory checks will be carried out and recorded.
Defective or damaged equipment must be taken out of service immediately, reported to management and not used again until repaired or replaced. Only trained and authorised personnel may operate specialist equipment such as forklifts or lifting devices.
Workplace Environment and Welfare
We will maintain our premises in a clean, orderly and safe condition. This includes good housekeeping, adequate lighting, safe flooring surfaces, clear fire exits, appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment, and secure storage areas.
Suitable welfare facilities, such as toilets and washing areas, will be provided and kept in good condition. Drinking water and rest breaks will be available to support staff wellbeing, especially during physically demanding removal work.
Emergency Preparedness and First Aid
Emergency procedures will be established for fire, accidents, medical emergencies, spills and other foreseeable incidents. These procedures will be communicated to staff and, where relevant, to visitors and contractors.
First aid provisions, including stocked first aid kits and trained first aiders, will be maintained. All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly so that appropriate action can be taken and lessons learned.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Shepherds Bush encourages open communication about health and safety. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in safety discussions. Where appropriate, we will consult with workers on changes that affect their health and safety.
We will review this policy periodically and after any significant incident or operational change. Audit findings, accident data and feedback from staff and customers will be used to develop action plans for continual improvement.
Policy Review and Availability
This Health and Safety policy is approved by senior management and will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our storage and removal services. Updated versions will replace previous editions as needed.
The policy is available to employees, contractors, customers and visitors on request and is part of our wider commitment to providing safe, reliable and professional storage and moving services.
