Storage Erith Health and Safety Policy
Storage Erith is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our storage and removal activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health, safety and welfare in all areas of our operations, including storage facilities, vehicles and client premises.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and equipment, and promote a positive safety culture throughout the company. We aim to identify and control risks arising from our operations, ensure that safe systems of work are in place, and continually improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for ensuring that effective arrangements are in place to manage health and safety. This includes providing clear leadership, setting standards, allocating resources and monitoring performance. Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy within their areas of control, ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, safe procedures are followed and employees receive appropriate information, instruction and training.
Management will regularly review this policy to ensure it remains suitable, adequate and effective. Reviews will take account of changes in legislation, industry best practice, company operations and any significant incidents or near-misses.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must cooperate fully with Storage Erith in implementing this policy and comply with all health and safety procedures, instructions and training provided.
Employees are expected to use equipment, vehicles, tools and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects, hazards, near-misses, incidents or concerns to their manager without delay. Unsafe behaviour, deliberate misuse of equipment or disregard for safety rules will be treated as a serious matter and may result in disciplinary action.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Erith will identify hazards and assess risks associated with storage, handling, lifting, transportation and related activities. Risk assessments will be carried out by competent persons and reviewed periodically or when there are significant changes to processes, equipment, work environment or legislation.
Based on these assessments, we will develop and implement safe systems of work, including clear procedures for manual handling, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, loading and unloading vehicles, stacking and racking of goods, operation of doors, shutters and access equipment, and working at customer premises. All employees will be made aware of the relevant risk assessments and procedures for their work.
Safe Handling, Lifting and Manual Work
The nature of storage and removal work involves regular lifting and moving of items. To reduce the risk of injury, Storage Erith will provide training on correct manual handling techniques and safe lifting practices. Employees must assess the weight and shape of loads before attempting to move them and use mechanical aids, trolleys or team lifts where appropriate.
Heavy or awkward items must only be moved by sufficient personnel and with suitable equipment. Employees must avoid twisting while lifting, keep loads close to the body, and take regular breaks when carrying out repetitive tasks.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Where employees drive company vehicles or use vehicles for work, Storage Erith will ensure that vehicles are suitable, maintained and inspected at appropriate intervals. Drivers must hold the correct licence, follow road traffic laws and company driving rules, and conduct basic pre-use checks, including tyres, lights and securing of loads.
Loads must be distributed evenly, secured properly and never exceed the safe capacity of the vehicle or equipment. Drivers must not operate vehicles while unfit through fatigue, alcohol, drugs or medication that may impair their ability to drive safely.
Workplace and Storage Facility Safety
Storage Erith will maintain its premises in a safe condition, ensuring that walkways, stairways and access routes are kept clear, well lit and free from slip and trip hazards. Racking, shelving and storage systems will be inspected regularly and used within their designed load limits.
Emergency exits must remain clear at all times and emergency equipment must be accessible. Housekeeping standards will be maintained so that waste, packaging materials and debris do not create hazards or obstruct work areas.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We will implement measures to reduce the risk of fire and to protect people should a fire occur. This includes maintaining appropriate fire detection and alarm systems, providing fire-fighting equipment where required, and keeping escape routes clearly marked and unobstructed.
All employees will receive information on fire evacuation procedures, assembly points and emergency contacts. Fire drills and, where appropriate, other emergency exercises will take place at reasonable intervals to ensure that everyone understands what to do in an emergency.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, Storage Erith will provide suitable personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear, high-visibility clothing or eye protection, as identified by risk assessment. Employees must use this equipment correctly, store it properly and report any loss or damage.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees will receive induction training covering the key health and safety requirements relevant to their role, including emergency arrangements, safe working procedures and reporting processes. Additional task-specific training will be provided where necessary, for example in manual handling, use of lifting aids, operation of equipment and working at different customer locations.
Supervisors will monitor work practices, provide guidance, and ensure that inexperienced or new employees receive appropriate support until they are competent to work without close supervision.
Accident, Incident and Near-Miss Reporting
All accidents, injuries, work-related ill health, dangerous occurrences and near-miss events must be reported promptly using the company reporting procedure. Storage Erith will investigate incidents to identify root causes, implement corrective actions and share lessons learned across the business to prevent recurrence.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Erith encourages open communication on health and safety matters and will consult with employees or their representatives on significant changes that may affect their health and safety. Feedback on working practices, equipment and procedures is welcomed, and concerns will be taken seriously and addressed promptly.
We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. This will be achieved through regular monitoring, audits, incident reviews, employee feedback and updates to risk assessments and procedures as necessary.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current and effective. Any significant amendments will be communicated to employees, and updated versions will be made available at company premises and through internal communication channels.
By working together and following this policy, Storage Erith aims to maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone involved in our storage and removal services.
