Storage St Johns Wood Health and Safety Policy
Storage St Johns Wood is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to identifying, managing, and reducing risks associated with storage, handling, and removal activities. Our aim is to prevent injury, protect health, and promote a culture of safety across all aspects of our operations.
Policy Statement and Objectives
We recognise our duty to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and to apply best practice standards throughout our storage and removal services. We will take all reasonably practicable measures to:
Identify and control hazards related to lifting, carrying, transport, storage, and access to our premises.
Provide and maintain safe equipment, plant, and vehicles used during storage and removal work.
Ensure employees receive appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision.
Protect the health and safety of customers, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our activities.
Continuously improve our health and safety performance through regular review and consultation.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage St Johns Wood has overall responsibility for the implementation of this Health and Safety Policy. Management duties include:
Ensuring that adequate resources are provided to manage health and safety effectively.
Setting clear safety standards and ensuring these are communicated to all staff.
Carrying out and reviewing risk assessments for storage units, loading areas, removal vehicles, and handling equipment.
Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses, and implementing corrective actions where necessary.
Reviewing this policy regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Every member of staff is expected to:
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 by Storage St Johns Wood.
Use equipment, vehicles, and protective gear only for their intended purposes and report any defects immediately.
Report hazards, unsafe conditions, or practices to their manager without delay.
Cooperate with management in the investigation of incidents and the implementation of safety improvements.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out regular risk assessments covering storage areas, access routes, lifting operations, vehicle movements, and removal activities. These assessments identify hazards such as slips and trips, manual handling risks, falling objects, and collisions during loading and unloading.
Control measures and safe systems of work are developed and implemented to minimise these risks. These may include segregation of pedestrian and vehicle routes, load weight limits, clear stacking procedures, and the use of lifting equipment such as trolleys and sack trucks. Staff are briefed on these safe systems and must adhere to them at all times.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of storage and removal operations and is subject to particular controls. We aim to avoid hazardous manual handling wherever reasonably practicable by using appropriate mechanical aids or adjusting work practices. Where manual lifting and carrying is necessary:
Employees receive training in safe lifting techniques and load assessment.
Team lifting is used for bulky or heavy items.
Items are stored in a way that reduces the need to lift from floor level or above shoulder height.
Loads are assessed before movement and reduced where possible by splitting contents.
Vehicles, Driving, and Transport Safety
Our removal and transport operations are managed to protect drivers, helpers, customers, and other road users. Vehicles used for removals and deliveries are inspected regularly and maintained according to manufacturer and legal requirements.
Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow road traffic laws, and drive in a manner that prioritises safety. Loads are secured correctly, with particular attention given to heavy furniture, appliances, and stacked containers. At premises and storage locations, vehicle movements are planned to minimise reversing and reduce the risk of collision with pedestrians and property.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
We maintain our storage facilities and operational areas in a clean and orderly condition. Good housekeeping is essential to minimise the risk of slips, trips, and falls. This includes keeping walkways clear, promptly cleaning up spillages, and ensuring materials and equipment are stored in designated areas.
Lighting, ventilation, and access routes are regularly checked to ensure they remain safe and suitable for staff and customers visiting storage units or meeting removal crews.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be fully controlled by other measures, suitable personal protective equipment is provided. This may include safety footwear, gloves, high visibility clothing, and other items relevant to the tasks being carried out. Employees must use the protective equipment provided in accordance with training and report any damage or loss immediately.
Training, Information, and Consultation
All staff receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their roles, including safe use of equipment, manual handling, fire safety, and emergency procedures. We ensure that health and safety information is communicated clearly through briefings, signage, and written instructions.
Storage St Johns Wood encourages employees to contribute suggestions for improving safety. We consult with staff on changes that may affect health and safety and take their feedback into account when reviewing procedures.
Emergency Procedures and First Aid
We maintain emergency procedures to cover fire, evacuation, accidents, and other incidents that may arise during storage or removal work. Escape routes and exits are kept clear and are clearly marked. Regular checks and drills are carried out where appropriate.
Suitable first aid arrangements are in place, including trained first aiders and stocked first aid supplies. All accidents and incidents, however minor, must be reported and recorded so that we can monitor trends and take preventive action.
Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation, or best practice. Storage St Johns Wood is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and expects all employees and contractors to support the implementation of this policy in their day to day work.
