Storage Hanwell Health and Safety Policy
Storage Hanwell is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors and contractors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks within our storage facilities and throughout our removal and transport activities. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing suitable control measures.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The primary aim of this policy is to ensure that health and safety considerations are fully integrated into our daily operations. Our objectives include preventing injury and ill health, complying with all relevant health and safety legislation, providing clear information, instruction and training, maintaining safe systems of work, and continuously improving our health and safety performance.
We recognise that effective health and safety management supports the quality and reliability of our storage and removal services and protects the wellbeing of everyone who interacts with our business.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management holds overall responsibility for health and safety at Storage Hanwell. They are responsible for providing the resources, leadership and support necessary to implement this policy and for ensuring that health and safety is considered in all business decisions, including storage facility design, vehicle operations and handling equipment.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation of this policy in their areas of control. This includes ensuring that risk assessments are completed and reviewed, safe working procedures are followed, staff are trained and supervised, incidents are reported and investigated, and corrective actions are implemented promptly.
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 follow all safety instructions, training and procedures, use equipment correctly and report any hazards, defects, near misses or incidents without delay.
Staff involved in handling furniture, boxes and other items for storage or removal must adhere to manual handling guidance, make use of lifting aids where provided and seek assistance when loads are too heavy or awkward. Employees are encouraged to raise any concerns or suggestions for improving safety with their line manager.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Hanwell carries out risk assessments covering key activities such as loading and unloading vehicles, moving goods within storage units, operating handling equipment, driving and parking vehicles, and accessing storage areas including stairways, lifts and loading bays.
Controls arising from these assessments form the basis of our safe systems of work. These systems are reviewed regularly and following any incident, significant change in operations or introduction of new equipment. Where specific risks are identified, additional procedures and training are provided.
Safe Storage Facilities and Equipment
We are committed to maintaining our storage facilities in a safe condition. This includes keeping floors and access routes in good repair and free from obstructions, ensuring adequate lighting in all working and customer areas, maintaining fire detection and alarm systems, providing clearly marked emergency exits, and undertaking routine inspections of storage units, corridors and loading areas.
All equipment, including trolleys, sack trucks, pallet trucks and other handling aids, is inspected and maintained to ensure it is safe and suitable for use. Any defective equipment is taken out of service immediately until repaired or replaced.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Our removal and transport activities are managed to minimise risks on the road and at customer locations. Drivers are required to hold appropriate licences, follow the Highway Code and adhere to company procedures for safe driving, vehicle loading and unloading, and parking at collection and delivery points.
Vehicles are maintained and inspected at appropriate intervals. Loads must be secured correctly to prevent movement during transit. Drivers are instructed to assess access conditions at each site, use hazard warnings where appropriate and avoid unsafe manoeuvres or lifting practices.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is an integral part of storage and removal work. To reduce the risk of injury, Storage Hanwell provides training on safe lifting techniques, use of mechanical aids and team lifting. Staff are required to plan lifts in advance, check routes are clear, keep loads close to the body, avoid twisting while carrying and place items carefully without sudden movements.
Where possible, we use trolleys, ramps and other aids to avoid unnecessary manual handling. Particularly heavy or bulky items are risk assessed and may require additional equipment or extra personnel to move safely.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire safety is a priority within all storage areas. Fire risk assessments are completed and reviewed regularly. Fire alarms and detection systems are tested routinely, and firefighting equipment is provided where required. Emergency exits and escape routes are kept clear at all times and are clearly signed.
Staff receive instruction on fire and emergency procedures, including evacuation routes, assembly points and the importance of raising the alarm immediately if a fire or other emergency is identified. Regular drills are carried out to ensure that procedures are understood and effective.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Hanwell ensures that all employees receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their roles. This may include health and safety awareness, manual handling, vehicle safety, use of handling equipment, fire safety and site-specific procedures.
Information on risks and safe practices is communicated through training, briefings, signage and written procedures. Supervisors monitor work activities to confirm that training is applied in practice and to provide further guidance where needed.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly to management. Records are kept and reviewed to identify trends or areas for improvement. Significant incidents are investigated to establish root causes and prevent recurrence.
Corrective actions may include changes to procedures, additional training, improvements to equipment or modifications to the workplace. Lessons learned are shared with relevant staff.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This health and safety policy is monitored through regular inspections, audits, incident reviews and consultation with employees. Management reviews performance and sets objectives for improving safety standards.
The policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in operations, legislation or best practice. Updated versions are communicated to all employees and made available to customers and contractors upon request.
By working together and following this policy, Storage Hanwell aims to maintain safe, efficient and reliable storage and removal services for all users.
