Storage Highams Park Health and Safety Policy
Storage Highams Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors, and contractors using our storage and removal services. We recognise our duty to manage health and safety risks effectively and to integrate safe working practices into all aspects of our operations, including handling, transporting, loading, unloading, and storing goods.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and equipment, and maintain a culture where safety is considered an integral part of daily activities. We aim to continuously improve our health and safety performance by setting clear standards, monitoring compliance, and regularly reviewing our procedures.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Highams Park has overall responsibility for health and safety across the business, including the storage facilities and removal operations. This includes ensuring that appropriate resources, training, and supervision are provided so that all work is carried out safely and in accordance with relevant legislation and industry best practice.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy on a day-to-day basis. They must lead by example, ensure that risk assessments are completed and reviewed, and confirm that safe systems of work are followed. They are also responsible for ensuring that staff understand their duties, use equipment correctly, and report hazards or incidents promptly.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, whether working in storage facilities, driving vehicles, or undertaking removal work at customer premises, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must cooperate fully with management in fulfilling health and safety obligations.
Employees are expected to follow instructions and training, use equipment and personal protective equipment correctly, and avoid taking shortcuts that could compromise safety. They must report hazards, near misses, accidents, injuries, or unsafe conditions to their manager as soon as possible, so that appropriate corrective action can be taken.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Highams Park takes reasonable steps to ensure that customers and visitors are not exposed to unnecessary risk while on our premises or during removal activities. Areas where vehicles are manoeuvring, loading, or unloading are controlled and, where necessary, restricted to authorised personnel.
Clear signage, instructions, and guidance are provided to customers on safe access routes, emergency procedures, and any prohibited activities. We ask that customers and visitors obey site rules, remain in designated areas, and follow any directions given by our staff to ensure their own safety and that of others.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out risk assessments for our storage facilities, removal operations, and related activities, identifying potential hazards and implementing measures to remove or reduce risk. These assessments cover, but are not limited to, manual handling, working at height, vehicle movements, use of lifting equipment, storage of goods, and handling of potentially hazardous items.
From these assessments, we develop safe systems of work and standard operating procedures that must be followed by all employees. These procedures are communicated through training and instruction and are reviewed regularly to reflect any changes in our operations, equipment, or legislation.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Handling and moving items safely is central to both storage and removal activities. Storage Highams Park provides appropriate equipment, such as trolleys, handling aids, and lifting devices, to minimise the need for manual lifting. Employees receive training in safe lifting techniques, load assessment, and team lifting where heavier items are involved.
Only trained and authorised personnel may operate mechanical handling equipment and vehicles. All equipment is maintained in a safe condition and inspected at appropriate intervals. Defective or damaged equipment must be taken out of service immediately and reported to management.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
For our removal and transport services, vehicle safety is of key importance. Drivers must be competent, suitably licensed, and medically fit to drive. Vehicles are maintained and serviced in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.
Drivers must follow safe driving practices, comply with speed limits, avoid overloading, and ensure that loads are properly secured. Routes are planned to reduce risk where possible, and drivers are expected to report any defects, incidents, or near misses involving vehicles without delay.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
We maintain our storage areas, loading bays, offices, and vehicle yards in a clean and orderly condition. Good housekeeping reduces the risk of slips, trips, and falls, and helps prevent damage to goods and equipment.
Walkways, fire exits, and access routes must be kept clear at all times. Spills are cleaned promptly and waste is removed regularly to appropriate collection points. Lighting, ventilation, and temperature are monitored to ensure they are suitable for the tasks being carried out.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Highams Park has clear arrangements in place for fire prevention, detection, and response. Fire safety equipment, such as extinguishers and alarms, is provided and maintained. Emergency exits are clearly marked and kept unobstructed.
Employees receive instruction on fire safety, evacuation routes, and how to respond in an emergency. Periodic drills are conducted to confirm that staff understand procedures. Customers and visitors are informed of relevant instructions on arrival and during any guided access to storage or loading areas.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We provide employees with information, instruction, and training appropriate to their role and responsibilities, covering both general health and safety and specific topics relevant to storage and removal operations. Induction training is given to new employees, and refresher training is provided where necessary.
Supervision levels are set according to the risk associated with tasks and the experience of the staff involved. We encourage open communication about safety and welcome suggestions from employees for improving procedures or working conditions.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement
Storage Highams Park monitors health and safety performance through inspections, audits, incident reports, and feedback from staff and customers. All accidents and near misses are investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
We review this Health and Safety Policy regularly and update it when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, or the nature of our services. Our aim is to maintain high standards of safety in all storage and removal activities and to foster a positive safety culture throughout the organisation.
