Storage West Ham Health and Safety Policy
Storage West Ham is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, visitors and customers. This policy explains our approach to health and safety across our storage facilities and associated removal activities, including loading, unloading, handling and transporting goods.
We recognise that effective health and safety management is essential to the well-being of our people and visitors, and to the reliable delivery of our storage and removal services. Everyone on our premises and involved in our operations is expected to cooperate with this policy and follow all relevant safety procedures.
Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to prevent injury, protect health and promote safe working practices in all aspects of our operations. In particular, we aim to:
Identify and manage workplace hazards, especially those related to manual handling, vehicle movements, lifting operations and storage of goods.
Comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards.
Provide information, instruction, training and supervision so staff can work safely and competently.
Maintain our premises, vehicles and equipment in a safe condition.
Encourage a positive safety culture in which all staff, contractors and visitors take responsibility for their own safety and that of others.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and ensuring that adequate resources are available to maintain and improve health and safety performance. This includes:
Setting clear health and safety standards and reviewing them regularly.
Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out for storage activities and removal operations, and that appropriate control measures are implemented.
Providing appropriate training and instruction to employees, including induction training for new staff and refresher training when needed.
Ensuring that accidents, incidents and near-misses are recorded, investigated and used to improve future performance.
Reviewing this policy periodically to keep it up to date with current legislation, best practice and operational needs.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, whether based in the storage facility or involved in removal and transport duties, 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:
Follow all safety procedures, instructions and signage provided by Storage West Ham.
Use equipment, tools and vehicles correctly and in accordance with training and manufacturer instructions.
Report any accidents, injuries, near-misses, unsafe conditions or defective equipment to their manager as soon as possible.
Wear suitable clothing and, where provided, personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety footwear or high-visibility garments.
Refrain from any behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues or visitors, including horseplay or unsafe shortcuts.
Risk Assessment and Hazard Management
We regularly assess risks associated with our operations, particularly storage, handling and transport of customers goods. Typical hazards include manual handling injuries, slips and trips, falls from height, impacts with moving vehicles and incorrect stacking or storage of items.
Risk assessments identify who may be harmed and how, evaluate existing control measures and determine any further actions required. Findings are communicated to relevant staff and are reviewed when conditions change, after incidents, or as part of routine management reviews.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key element of our storage and removal services. To reduce the risk of injury:
Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, including correct posture, load assessment and team handling methods.
Where possible, mechanical aids such as trolleys, sack trucks and pallet equipment are used for heavy or bulky items.
Employees are instructed to refuse tasks that require unsafe lifting, or to seek assistance when a load is too heavy or awkward to handle alone.
Loads are arranged to minimise unnecessary carrying distances and reduce the need for repetitive or strenuous handling.
Safe Storage and Warehouse Practices
Safe storage of goods is essential to protect people and property. To achieve this, Storage West Ham:
Ensures items are stored in a stable, secure manner, avoiding overloading of shelves and units.
Maintains clear walkways and access routes, keeping them free from obstructions and trailing cables.
Implements procedures for storing hazardous or fragile items where applicable, including appropriate labelling and segregation.
Monitors environmental conditions where necessary to protect both stored goods and the health of staff working in those areas.
Vehicle Movements and Loading Areas
Removal and transport activities involve vehicle operations that require particular care. Our procedures include:
Designated loading and unloading areas, with controlled access for pedestrians.
Use of safe systems of work for reversing, parking and manoeuvring vehicles on or near the premises.
Securing loads to prevent movement during transit and ensuring vehicles are not overloaded.
Maintaining vehicles used in removal operations in a roadworthy and safe condition, with defects reported and addressed promptly.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide employees with the information, instruction and training they need to carry out their work safely. This may include induction training, manual handling training, equipment-specific training and periodic refresher sessions.
Supervisors are responsible for monitoring compliance with safety procedures, correcting unsafe behaviours and supporting staff to work in accordance with this policy.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near-misses that occur on our premises or during storage and removal operations must be reported promptly. We keep clear records and investigate incidents to prevent recurrence.
Emergency procedures, including fire evacuation arrangements, are in place and communicated to staff and visitors. Escape routes and exits are kept clear, and emergency equipment such as alarms and extinguishers is maintained and inspected at appropriate intervals.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage West Ham encourages feedback from employees and customers on health and safety matters. Staff are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in the development of safer methods of working.
This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to the nature and scale of our storage and removal activities. Updates are communicated to all employees, and revised procedures are incorporated into training and day-to-day operations.
By working together and following this Health and Safety Policy, we can maintain safe conditions for everyone who works at, visits or uses the services of Storage West Ham.
