Storage Brockley Health and Safety Policy
Storage Brockley is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, customers, visitors and contractors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks arising from our storage and removal activities, including packing, handling, loading, transporting and storing goods.
We recognise our responsibilities under applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice. We aim to prevent work related injury and ill health, and to continually improve our health and safety performance.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aims of this policy are to:
Promote a strong health and safety culture throughout Storage Brockley and our associated removal and storage services.
Identify, assess and control risks arising from our work activities, particularly manual handling, vehicle movements and use of storage facilities.
Provide and maintain safe premises, vehicles, equipment and systems of work.
Ensure employees are competent to perform their duties safely through training, supervision and clear instructions.
Consult with employees on matters affecting their health and safety.
Comply with all relevant legal requirements and recognised guidance.
Review and improve our health and safety arrangements on a regular basis.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety within Storage Brockley rests with the company management. They are responsible for ensuring that adequate resources, information and support are provided for the effective implementation of this policy.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day to day health and safety management in their areas of control. This includes ensuring that risk assessments are completed, safe systems of work are followed, and staff receive appropriate training and supervision. They must also investigate accidents, near misses and incidents, and take corrective action where needed.
All employees, whether involved in storage operations, removals, driving or administration, must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided.
Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly.
Report hazards, defects, accidents, near misses and any health and safety concerns to their manager without delay.
Contractors and visiting drivers working on our premises are required to cooperate with our health and safety arrangements and follow site rules at all times.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Brockley will undertake and maintain suitable and sufficient risk assessments for all significant hazards arising from our storage and removal activities. These assessments will consider, among other issues, manual handling, loading and unloading, working in and around vehicles, operation of lifting equipment, use of trolleys, stacking and storage of goods, and general workplace safety.
From these assessments we will develop safe systems of work that set out how tasks must be carried out to minimise risk. Managers are responsible for communicating these systems to staff and ensuring they are implemented in practice.
Manual Handling and Handling of Goods
Manual handling is a key part of our business. We will minimise the need for hazardous manual handling so far as is reasonably practicable by using mechanical aids, planning lifting tasks and using team lifting methods where appropriate.
All staff involved in lifting, carrying, packing, loading and unloading furniture, boxes and equipment will receive training in safe manual handling techniques. Loads must be assessed before lifting, routes checked for obstructions, and appropriate handling aids used wherever possible.
Heavy or awkward items must not be lifted alone and must be moved in accordance with agreed safe systems of work to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.
Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety
Our removal and transport activities will be managed to ensure safe operation of vehicles and the protection of drivers, passengers, other road users and pedestrians at our premises.
Only authorised and competent personnel may drive company vehicles. Drivers must carry out basic pre use checks, report defects immediately, and follow road traffic laws at all times. Loads must be secured correctly to prevent movement during transit, and vehicles must not be overloaded.
Vehicle movements in yards and loading areas will be controlled to reduce the risk of collision. Where necessary, banksmen or guides will be used when reversing or manoeuvring in confined spaces.
Workplace and Storage Facility Safety
Our storage facilities, offices, yards and loading areas will be maintained in a safe condition. This includes ensuring safe access and egress, adequate lighting, good housekeeping, and clearly marked emergency exits and escape routes.
Racking, shelving and stacking systems will be installed, used and inspected in accordance with manufacturers guidance and relevant standards. Goods will be stacked securely and within safe height and weight limits to prevent collapse and falling objects.
Floors and traffic routes will be kept clear of obstructions and spillages, and any defects such as potholes or uneven surfaces will be reported and addressed promptly.
Information, Instruction, Training and Supervision
Storage Brockley will provide employees with suitable information, instruction, training and supervision so they can carry out their work safely and competently.
Training will be provided on induction and refreshed periodically, covering topics such as manual handling, use of equipment, vehicle safety, fire safety, emergency procedures and specific risks associated with our storage and removal operations.
Supervisors will monitor working practices to ensure that training is put into practice and that safety procedures are being followed.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible and recorded. We will investigate incidents to identify root causes and take corrective and preventive actions.
Appropriate first aid arrangements will be in place, and trained first aid personnel will be available during working hours. First aid kits will be checked regularly and maintained in a fully stocked condition.
Fire safety and emergency procedures will be established for all premises. Employees will be trained in evacuation procedures, alarm points and assembly areas. Fire drills will be carried out periodically to ensure everyone is familiar with emergency arrangements.
Consultation and Communication
Storage Brockley will consult with employees on health and safety matters through regular meetings, briefings and communications. Employees are encouraged to raise suggestions, concerns or ideas for improving health and safety performance.
Health and safety information, including this policy and related procedures, will be made available to all staff and, where relevant, to customers and contractors using our facilities or services.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
We will monitor our health and safety performance through inspections, audits, incident statistics and staff feedback. Findings will be used to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legislation or identified risks, to ensure it remains effective and up to date.
Storage Brockley expects everyone involved in our storage and removal services to share this commitment to health and safety and to work together to maintain a safe environment for all.
