Storage Hainault Health and Safety Policy
Storage Hainault is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors, contractors, and any other persons who may be affected by our storage and removal activities. We recognise that effective health and safety management is an integral part of delivering reliable services and protecting people, property, and the environment.
Policy Statement
The management of Storage Hainault accepts overall responsibility for health and safety and will provide the leadership and resources necessary to maintain and continuously improve our health and safety performance. We will take all reasonably practicable measures to prevent injury and ill health arising from our operations, including storage, handling, loading, unloading, and transportation of goods associated with removals and secure storage.
Objectives
Our key health and safety objectives are to:
Identify, assess, and control risks associated with our storage facilities and removal operations.
Provide and maintain safe premises, vehicles, equipment, and systems of work.
Ensure all employees are competent to carry out their duties safely through information, instruction, training, and supervision.
Promote a positive health and safety culture where everyone accepts responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.
Continually review and improve our health and safety arrangements and performance.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for implementing this policy and for ensuring that suitable arrangements and resources are in place. Management will:
Set clear health and safety standards and communicate them to all staff.
Ensure that risk assessments are carried out, recorded, and reviewed for storage units, handling equipment, office areas, yard areas, and removal operations.
Provide appropriate tools, vehicles, lifting aids, and personal protective equipment that are safe, well maintained, and suitable for the intended tasks.
Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses, and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters, encouraging feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including temporary and contract staff, share responsibility for health and safety. Every employee must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Follow all safety procedures, instructions, training, and signage provided by Storage Hainault.
Use equipment, vehicles, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Report all accidents, incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions to their manager without delay.
Cooperate fully with any investigation, training, or improvement initiatives relating to health and safety.
Safe Storage and Handling
Due to the nature of our business, particular attention is given to safe storage and handling of goods and materials. Storage Hainault will:
Ensure that all storage areas are kept clean, tidy, well lit, and free from unnecessary obstructions.
Implement safe stacking and racking procedures to prevent falls of goods and collapse of stored items.
Provide training in safe manual handling, including lifting, carrying, and team handling techniques.
Use appropriate handling equipment such as trolleys and pallet trucks where necessary and ensure these are maintained in safe working condition.
Prohibit the storage of hazardous, explosive, illegal, or prohibited items in accordance with company terms and relevant safety requirements.
Vehicle and Removal Operations
Our removal activities involve additional risks associated with driving, loading, and unloading. To manage these risks Storage Hainault will:
Ensure that all drivers are competent, licensed, and authorised to operate company vehicles.
Maintain vehicles in safe condition with regular inspections and servicing.
Plan loading and unloading operations to minimise manual handling risks, trip hazards, and vehicle movements in confined areas.
Provide guidance on safe route planning, parking, and working at customer premises, including domestic and commercial addresses.
Require drivers and porters to follow safe driving practices at all times and comply with road traffic and transport safety requirements.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Hainault is committed to safeguarding the health and safety of customers and visitors using our premises and services. We will:
Provide clear safety information and signage around the site, including traffic routes, speed limits, and restricted areas.
Maintain pedestrian walkways and loading areas to reduce slip, trip, and fall risks.
Control access to storage areas to authorised persons only and supervise customer access where necessary.
Take reasonable steps to ensure that removal activities at customer locations are coordinated safely and with minimal disruption.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Hainault will manage fire and emergency risks by:
Carrying out fire risk assessments for all relevant areas and reviewing them periodically.
Providing appropriate fire detection, alarm, and firefighting equipment, and ensuring it is regularly inspected and tested.
Maintaining clear emergency escape routes and exits and ensuring they are kept unobstructed at all times.
Displaying emergency procedures and assembly points prominently on site.
Training employees in emergency procedures, including evacuation and the use of firefighting equipment where appropriate.
Health, Welfare, and Wellbeing
We recognise the importance of general health, welfare, and wellbeing in maintaining a safe working environment. Storage Hainault will:
Provide suitable welfare facilities, including rest areas and sanitary provisions.
Monitor work patterns, including those related to removals and driving, to reduce the risk of fatigue.
Encourage reporting of any health concerns that could affect safe working, including musculoskeletal issues related to lifting and handling.
Support reasonable adjustments for employees with health conditions or disabilities to enable safe participation in work activities.
Training and Competence
Training is essential to ensure that everyone understands their responsibilities and can work safely. Storage Hainault will:
Provide induction training for all new employees, covering site rules, hazards, emergency arrangements, and specific job-related risks.
Offer ongoing training in manual handling, vehicle safety, equipment use, and any other topics relevant to storage and removals.
Keep records of training and review them regularly to identify refresher needs.
Ensure supervisors and managers are equipped to monitor and enforce safe working practices.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
This health and safety policy will be monitored and reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and up to date. Storage Hainault will:
Conduct routine inspections of the premises, equipment, and vehicles.
Review accident, incident, and near miss data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Update risk assessments and procedures when there are significant changes to operations, legislation, or best practice.
Review this policy on a regular basis and revise it as necessary to reflect changes within the business and in health and safety standards.
This policy is endorsed by the management of Storage Hainault and applies to all aspects of our storage and removal operations.
