Storage St Giles Health and Safety Policy
Storage St Giles is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, customers, visitors and contractors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage facilities, handling of goods and removal-related activities, including loading, unloading and transportation within our premises.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The objective of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. We aim to integrate health and safety into all aspects of our storage and removal operations and to promote a positive safety culture where everyone understands their responsibilities.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Storage St Giles will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards relevant to storage, removals and associated manual handling activities. We will monitor changes in legal requirements and update our procedures and training as necessary.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for health and safety within Storage St Giles. This includes providing adequate resources, setting clear safety objectives and ensuring effective implementation of this policy. Management will:
Review risk assessments for storage, lifting, carrying, use of equipment and vehicle movements.
Ensure staff receive appropriate training, supervision and information.
Maintain safe systems of work for removal and storage activities.
Periodically audit and review health and safety performance and make improvements where required.
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. Employees are required to:
Follow company safety procedures and safe working practices, especially during lifting, carrying and use of handling equipment.
Use any personal protective equipment provided and store it correctly.
Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions or equipment defects promptly to management.
Participate in training and apply what they learn to daily activities.
Refrain from any behaviour that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers or visitors.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage St Giles recognises its duty of care to customers and visitors who use or enter our premises. We will:
Provide clear signage to guide safe movement around loading bays, corridors and storage areas.
Ensure floors, access routes and stairways are kept clear, well maintained and, where necessary, highlighted to reduce slip, trip and fall risks.
Control access to operational areas when removal activities, lifting or vehicle manoeuvres are taking place.
Provide guidance to customers on safe use of units, including stacking heights, use of trolleys and safe access to higher levels.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Risk assessments will be carried out for all significant activities, including manual handling, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, working at height within storage units, vehicle loading and unloading, and movement of goods through corridors and communal areas. Based on these assessments, Storage St Giles will implement safe systems of work, such as:
Standard operating procedures for loading and unloading removal vehicles.
Guidance on safe lifting techniques and team lifts for heavy or bulky items.
Restrictions on storage heights and safe stacking practices to prevent collapse or falling objects.
Controls on the types of goods that may be stored, with clear rules on prohibited or hazardous items.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key feature of storage and removal activities. To minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, Storage St Giles will:
Provide suitable handling equipment, such as trolleys and dollies, and ensure it is maintained in good condition.
Offer manual handling training focused on lifting, carrying and team coordination.
Encourage staff and customers to avoid unnecessary lifting by planning loads and routes in advance.
Ensure that employees do not attempt to move items that exceed safe individual capability and instead request assistance or additional equipment.
Vehicle Movements and Traffic Management
Where removal vehicles, delivery vans or customer vehicles access our premises, Storage St Giles will manage traffic to minimise risks. This includes:
Designating loading zones and parking areas.
Using clear signage and, where appropriate, marked routes to guide drivers and pedestrians.
Encouraging the use of spotters or banksmen for complex manoeuvres or when visibility is restricted.
Ensuring that doors, ramps and loading bays are used safely and kept in good condition.
Housekeeping and Premises Safety
Good housekeeping is essential to safe storage and removal operations. Staff are required to keep units, corridors and communal areas tidy and free of unnecessary obstructions. Storage St Giles will:
Implement routine inspections to identify and address hazards such as spills, damaged flooring or blocked exits.
Ensure lighting is adequate in all operational and customer areas.
Maintain security measures that promote safety, including controlled access to storage zones.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage St Giles will maintain appropriate fire safety measures, including detection systems, alarms and suitable firefighting equipment. Emergency procedures will cover evacuation routes, assembly points and responsibilities of staff during incidents. Regular checks and drills will be carried out to ensure the effectiveness of these arrangements.
Training, Consultation and Communication
Health and safety training is provided on induction and refreshed periodically. Training is tailored to roles, with particular emphasis on manual handling, safe use of equipment and emergency procedures. Storage St Giles encourages open communication about safety. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions on how to enhance safety in storage and removal activities.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as reasonably practicable. Storage St Giles will investigate these events to identify root causes, implement corrective actions and share learning with relevant staff. Accurate records will be maintained and used to monitor performance and inform future risk assessments.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in operations, legislation or industry practice. Updates will be communicated to employees and, where relevant, to contractors and customers. Continued adherence to this policy is a condition of working for or with Storage St Giles and of using our facilities for storage and removal activities.
