Storage Old Coulsdon Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and standards that Storage Old Coulsdon follows to provide a safe environment for customers, employees, contractors and visitors. Our services, including storage and removals, are carried out with a clear focus on preventing accidents, protecting health, and complying with relevant health and safety legislation and guidance.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Storage Old Coulsdon is committed to managing health and safety as an integral part of our operations. Our main objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, to minimise risks arising from our removal and storage activities, and to encourage a culture where safety and wellbeing are understood, communicated and actively supported by everyone involved.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for health and safety within Storage Old Coulsdon. Management will ensure that appropriate resources, systems and competent persons are in place to identify hazards, assess risks and implement effective control measures. This includes regular review of working practices in our storage facilities, vehicles and any locations where our removal services are provided.
Managers will lead by example, promoting safe behaviour, monitoring compliance with this policy and taking prompt action where issues are identified. They are responsible for reviewing risk assessments, updating procedures when operations change, and ensuring that staff receive suitable information, instruction, training and supervision.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy working environment. Every member of staff is expected to:
• Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
• Follow all safety procedures, safe systems of work and risk control measures identified for storage and removal activities.
• Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment in accordance with their training and instructions.
• Report accidents, incidents, near misses, unsafe conditions and hazards without delay so that corrective action can be taken.
• Cooperate fully with health and safety investigations, training and improvement initiatives.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Customers, visitors and contractors using our storage facilities or interacting with our removal services are expected to follow site safety rules, signage and staff instructions. We will provide clear information on safe access routes, loading and unloading areas, parking, restricted zones and emergency arrangements. Children and vulnerable persons must be supervised at all times while on site.
Risk Assessment and Control Measures
Storage Old Coulsdon undertakes regular risk assessments for activities such as manual handling, lifting and carrying, loading and unloading vehicles, operating within storage areas, and driving for work. Identified risks are controlled so far as is reasonably practicable through a combination of safe procedures, equipment, training and supervision.
We will review risk assessments periodically and whenever there are significant changes to work practices, equipment or layout of our premises. Findings from risk assessments are communicated to affected staff and, where relevant, to customers and contractors.
Manual Handling and Safe Lifting
Manual handling is a core aspect of storage and removals work. To reduce the risk of injury, Storage Old Coulsdon provides training in safe lifting techniques and the use of handling aids such as trolleys and moving equipment. Staff are instructed to assess loads before moving them, to seek assistance with heavy or awkward items, and to avoid unsafe practices such as overreaching, twisting while lifting or carrying loads beyond their capability.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Where our services involve the use of removal vehicles, we ensure that vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are suitable for the intended tasks. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow road traffic and company safety rules, and perform necessary pre-use checks. Vehicles must be loaded and unloaded safely, with loads secured to prevent movement and reduce the risk of injury or damage.
Site Safety and Housekeeping
Good housekeeping is essential to safety in storage areas and during removal activities. Access routes, stairways, doorways and fire exits must be kept clear of obstructions at all times. Floors should be kept as clean and dry as reasonably practicable to limit the risk of slips and trips. Waste, packing materials and discarded items must be disposed of responsibly and without creating hazards.
Equipment, Plant and Personal Protective Equipment
Any equipment or plant used in our storage facilities or removal operations will be selected, maintained and inspected to ensure it is safe for use. Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, suitable personal protective equipment may be provided, for example gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility clothing. Employees must use such equipment as instructed and report any defects or concerns immediately.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Old Coulsdon provides appropriate health and safety training for employees, including induction training, role-specific training and refresher training when needed. Information on hazards, risk controls and emergency procedures is communicated in a clear and accessible way. Levels of supervision are set according to the risks involved and the competence and experience of staff.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses that occur in connection with our storage and removal operations must be reported promptly. We will investigate incidents to understand causes and to identify corrective and preventive actions. First aid arrangements are maintained in line with our legal obligations, and suitable facilities and equipment are provided where reasonably practicable.
Emergency procedures, including those for fire, evacuation and serious incidents, are in place and communicated to staff and, where relevant, to customers and visitors. Emergency routes and exits are kept clear and clearly signposted.
Health, Welfare and Wellbeing
We recognise our responsibilities to protect not only physical safety but also the wider health and welfare of those working within or using our services. Storage Old Coulsdon will consider workload, planning, rest breaks and safe working hours, and will address health concerns that may be affected by the nature of our work, such as strenuous manual handling or extended driving.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage employees to raise health and safety concerns, suggestions and ideas for improvement. Where formal consultation arrangements apply, we will ensure that staff are informed and involved in discussions about health and safety matters that affect them. This policy, and the arrangements that support it, will be reviewed regularly and revised as necessary to reflect changes in operations, legislation, best practice and experience.
Policy Review and Availability
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes to our services, including storage and removal activities. Updated versions will be communicated to employees and made available to customers and other interested parties upon request. Storage Old Coulsdon is committed to upholding these standards and continuously improving our health and safety performance.
