Storage Battersea Health and Safety Policy
Storage Battersea is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our 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 services. Our objective is to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, and to continually improve our health and safety performance.
Our Commitment
We recognise our duty to protect people who may be affected by our activities. This includes staff working on site, team members involved in removals, customers accessing storage units, and third-party contractors. We will provide safe systems of work, appropriate equipment, suitable training, and clear instructions so that all activities are carried out safely and responsibly.
Management is responsible for ensuring that health and safety considerations are integrated into all planning and operational decisions. Every employee is expected to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be impacted by their actions at work.
Risk Assessment and Management
We carry out regular risk assessments covering our storage facilities, removal operations, handling activities, and office areas. These assessments identify potential hazards, evaluate the level of risk, and determine appropriate control measures. We review risk assessments following any significant change in operations, equipment, or premises, and after any serious incident.
Control measures may include physical safeguards, changes to working practices, staff training, and the introduction of safer equipment. We communicate relevant findings of risk assessments to employees and, where appropriate, to customers and contractors who may be affected by specific risks.
Safe Premises and Storage Areas
We are committed to maintaining our buildings, storage units, access routes, and loading areas in a safe condition. This includes ensuring clear walkways, adequate lighting, secure fixtures and fittings, and safe access to units. Fire routes and emergency exits are kept unobstructed at all times.
We regularly inspect the premises for hazards such as slips, trips, and falls, damaged flooring, defective doors and shutters, and any structural issues. Identified defects are addressed promptly, and where immediate repair is not possible, temporary measures and clear warnings are put in place to protect staff and visitors.
Manual Handling and Handling Equipment
Handling of goods is central to storage and removal activities, and we take special care to manage these tasks safely. We train our employees in safe manual handling techniques, including correct lifting posture, use of team lifts, and the importance of not exceeding individual capability.
Where possible, we use handling aids such as trolleys, sack barrows, and pallet trucks to reduce the risk of injury. Only trained and authorised personnel may use mechanical handling equipment. Equipment is inspected and maintained regularly, and defects must be reported immediately so that affected equipment can be taken out of service until it is repaired or replaced.
Vehicle Movements and Removals
Our removal services involve the movement of vehicles, loading and unloading in designated areas, and the handling of customers belongings. We manage these activities to reduce the risk of collisions, injuries, and property damage.
Drivers must follow site rules at all times, observing speed limits and using only designated routes and loading zones. Reversing operations are controlled carefully, with the use of a trained banksman where appropriate. Loading areas must be kept clear of unnecessary obstacles and unauthorised persons during vehicle manoeuvres.
Customer and Visitor Safety
We aim to ensure that customers and visitors can access our site and storage units safely. Signage is provided to guide people around the premises, highlight hazards, and indicate emergency exits. Customers are expected to follow any safety instructions given by our staff and to use our facilities and equipment responsibly.
Customers are responsible for packing and securing their own goods safely, particularly when using their own vehicles or equipment. We may refuse to handle goods that present an unacceptable risk to health and safety, such as hazardous, explosive, or excessively heavy items that cannot be moved safely.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We maintain fire detection and alarm systems appropriate to our premises and ensure that extinguishers and other fire safety equipment are inspected and maintained. Fire exits, routes, and assembly points are clearly marked and kept free from obstruction.
Staff receive instruction on fire safety measures, emergency evacuation procedures, and the location of alarms and equipment. In the event of an evacuation, everyone on site must follow the directions of staff and proceed promptly to the designated assembly point.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We provide employees with the information, instruction, and training they need to work safely. This includes induction training for new starters, role-specific training for removal and warehouse teams, and refresher training where required. Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure that safe procedures are followed and that any unsafe behaviour is addressed promptly.
We encourage staff to raise any health and safety concerns with their manager without fear of disadvantage. Constructive feedback is welcomed as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences on site or during removal activities must be reported as soon as possible. We keep records of such events and investigate them to identify causes and preventative measures.
Where necessary, we revise procedures, provide additional training, or introduce new controls to prevent a recurrence. Insights from incident investigations are shared with relevant staff so that lessons are learned across the business.
Health, Welfare, and Wellbeing
We aim to protect not only safety but also the general health and wellbeing of our workforce. Facilities for welfare such as toilets, washing areas, drinking water, and rest spaces are maintained to a good standard. We seek to control exposure to risks such as noise, dust, and repetitive tasks through appropriate measures and sensible work planning.
Where a role involves specific health risks, we will consider appropriate health surveillance or workplace adjustments, taking into account individual needs where reasonably practicable.
Responsibilities and Review
Overall responsibility for health and safety within Storage Battersea rests with senior management, who ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to implement and maintain this policy. Managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation in their areas, while all employees are required to co-operate with safety arrangements and follow safe working practices.
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in our operations, legal requirements, or recognised best practice. The most current version is made available to employees and can be viewed by customers and visitors on request.
By working together and following this policy, we can maintain a safe environment for storage, removals, and associated services, protecting everyone who comes into contact with Storage Battersea.
