Health and Safety Policy for Storage Canning Town
Storage Canning Town is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and visitors. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage facilities, handling goods, removals operations, transport, and general site activities.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, work-related ill health, and damage to property. We will work to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement appropriate control measures across our storage and removal services. Health and safety considerations are integral to every decision about how we operate and maintain our premises, vehicles, and equipment.
Legal Responsibilities
Storage Canning Town will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, regulations, and codes of practice that apply to storage operations, manual handling, transport, and workplace safety. We will review changes in legal requirements and update our practices and procedures as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for leading health and safety within the business. This includes providing adequate resources, setting clear objectives, and ensuring that health and safety remains a priority in planning and day-to-day operations. Managers will ensure that safe working procedures are developed, implemented, and monitored, particularly in relation to moving and storing goods, loading and unloading vehicles, and operating within confined or shared spaces.
Managers must also make sure that all employees and contractors understand this policy and are aware of their specific responsibilities. Performance in health and safety will be reviewed regularly and improvements will be implemented where necessary.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees have 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 follow all safety instructions, training, and procedures, including those relating to manual handling, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, vehicle movements, and access to storage units.
Employees are required to report hazards, near misses, incidents, or unsafe conditions to their line manager or designated safety contact without delay. They must cooperate fully with health and safety investigations, inspections, and audits, and must never intentionally misuse or interfere with safety equipment provided.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Canning Town is committed to providing a safe environment for customers and visitors using our storage facilities and associated removal services. We will maintain clear access routes, appropriate lighting, and visible safety signage. Customers will be given information on safe access, parking, opening hours, and restrictions on the types of goods that may be stored.
Where customers are present during loading, unloading, or handling of items, staff will take reasonable steps to keep them away from high-risk areas, vehicle reversing zones, and any moving lifting equipment. Customers are expected to follow site rules and any guidance provided by staff.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We will undertake regular risk assessments covering our premises, storage units, yards, loading bays, and any removal or transport activities. These assessments will consider hazards such as manual handling, trips and falls, vehicle movements, working at height for stacking, use of mechanical aids, fire risks, and security issues.
On the basis of these assessments, we will develop and implement safe systems of work. These may include specific procedures for lifting and carrying items, securing loads in vehicles, guiding vehicles in tight spaces, and restricting access to certain areas. Where appropriate, we may require permits or authorisations for higher-risk activities.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant part of storage and removal operations. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to reduce manual handling risks by using trolleys, sack trucks, lifts, ramps, and other mechanical aids. Employees will receive training in safe lifting techniques, including assessment of load size, weight, and stability, and will be instructed not to lift loads beyond their capability.
All handling and lifting equipment will be used only by trained personnel and in accordance with manufacturer instructions and company procedures. Any defects or concerns about equipment safety must be reported immediately and the equipment taken out of use if necessary.
Vehicles, Transport and Traffic Management
Storage Canning Town recognises the hazards associated with vehicle movements on and around the site, as well as during collection and delivery as part of removal services. We will aim to separate vehicles and pedestrians where reasonably practicable, using marked walkways, barriers, and signage.
Drivers must comply with site speed limits, parking rules, and loading procedures. Vehicles must be parked safely and securely during loading and unloading, with handbrakes applied and wheels chocked when appropriate. Loads must be properly secured before any vehicle moves off the site.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We will maintain appropriate fire precautions, including alarms, extinguishers, signage, and clear means of escape. Fire routes and exits will be kept unobstructed at all times. Staff will be given instructions on fire evacuation procedures, assembly points, and the use of firefighting equipment where appropriate.
Emergency procedures will be in place for fire, accidents, serious incidents, or other emergencies. These procedures will be communicated to staff and, where relevant, to customers and contractors. Regular drills and checks will be undertaken to ensure readiness.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Canning Town will provide employees with appropriate information, instruction, and training to enable them to carry out their duties safely. This may include induction training, manual handling training, use of equipment, first aid awareness, fire safety, and site-specific procedures.
Supervision will be provided to ensure that safe working practices are followed and that new or temporary staff receive additional support until they are competent in their roles. Refresher training will be provided when there are significant changes in equipment, procedures, or legislation.
Welfare, Health and Wellbeing
We will provide suitable welfare facilities such as rest areas, drinking water, and sanitary facilities for employees and, where appropriate, for customers and contractors. We recognise the importance of health and wellbeing and will seek to manage risks related to fatigue, stress, and physically demanding tasks.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Health and safety performance will be monitored through inspections, incident reporting, and periodic audits. Any accidents, near misses, or identified hazards will be investigated to determine root causes and to identify corrective actions.
This policy and associated procedures will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect operational changes, new legislation, or improvements identified through monitoring. Storage Canning Town is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety standards across all aspects of our storage and removal activities.
