Storage Sydenham Hill Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of Storage Sydenham Hill to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, customers, contractors and visitors. It applies to all storage, handling, loading and removal activities carried out on our premises and within our service operations.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
Storage Sydenham Hill is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment and to preventing injury, ill health, damage and loss. We will identify and manage risks arising from storage, moving, handling and transportation of goods, including those connected with removal services, vehicle movements and use of equipment.
We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation and continually seek to improve our health and safety performance through regular review and staff engagement.
Management Responsibilities
The company management holds overall responsibility for health and safety at Storage Sydenham Hill. Management will ensure that suitable resources are provided for the implementation of this policy, including training, supervision, equipment and maintenance of facilities.
Management responsibilities include conducting and approving risk assessments, implementing safe systems of work, organising regular inspections, and monitoring that procedures are followed in both storage facilities and removal-related activities such as loading, unloading and transit preparation.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees must 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 company procedures, use equipment correctly and report hazards, near misses, accidents and unsafe practices immediately to their supervisor.
Staff involved in storage and removal operations, including manual handling and the use of trolleys, pallet trucks or lifting aids, must follow safe working practices, attend required training and wear any personal protective equipment provided to them.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Sydenham Hill aims to provide a safe environment for customers and visitors using our storage units and for those attending our site for removal-related services. We will ensure that main access routes, corridors and loading bays are kept as free as reasonably practicable from obstructions and trip hazards.
Customers must follow site rules and signage, adhere to instructions given by staff, and take reasonable care when moving their own belongings, particularly when using trollies, ramps, loading bays or lifts.
Risk Assessment and Hazard Control
Risk assessments will be carried out to identify hazards associated with storage operations, handling goods, working at height, use of vehicles and removal activities. Appropriate control measures will be introduced, and their effectiveness will be monitored and reviewed.
Where necessary, access to certain areas may be restricted or supervised. Only trained employees are permitted to operate mechanical handling equipment, and all equipment will be used in accordance with manufacturer guidance and company procedures.
Safe Storage, Handling and Removal Activities
Storage Sydenham Hill will promote safe practices for storing, stacking and moving goods. Items must be stored securely to prevent collapse or falling, and heavy or bulky items should be placed at safe heights. Hazardous, flammable or prohibited items must not be stored or handled in contravention of our terms of service or applicable safety requirements.
For removal-related activities, including loading and unloading vehicles at our facility, we will aim to manage vehicle movements safely, maintain clear loading zones and apply safe manual handling techniques. Staff will be trained to plan lifts, use team lifting where appropriate and select suitable handling aids to minimise risk.
Workplace Environment and Welfare
We will maintain our premises in a safe condition, including lighting, ventilation, fire precautions and housekeeping. Access and emergency escape routes will be kept clear at all times. Welfare facilities such as toilets and washing facilities will be kept in a clean and functional condition.
Where weather or environmental conditions may affect safety, such as wet surfaces in loading areas or low visibility, we will take reasonable steps to reduce associated risks.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Sydenham Hill will provide employees with information, instruction and training relevant to their roles, including induction training and task-specific guidance for storage and removal operations. Training may cover manual handling techniques, use of handling equipment, hazard awareness and emergency procedures.
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that staff understand and follow safe working methods. Additional training and refresher sessions will be provided as needed, and changes in procedures or equipment will be supported with appropriate instruction.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire safety arrangements will include clearly marked escape routes, fire detection and alarm systems and appropriate firefighting equipment. Fire evacuation procedures will be displayed on site, and employees will be instructed in emergency actions, including assisting customers to leave the building safely where appropriate.
In any emergency, the primary objectives are to safeguard life, raise the alarm, contact the emergency services and follow the established evacuation or response procedures. Assembly points will be identified and kept accessible.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences on our premises or arising from our storage and removal activities must be reported promptly. Details will be recorded and, where necessary, investigated to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
We will use findings from investigations to enhance our procedures, update risk assessments and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Monitoring, Review and Policy Updates
This Health and Safety Policy will be monitored on an ongoing basis through inspections, audits, consultation with staff and review of incident reports. It will be formally reviewed periodically and updated when required to reflect changes in operations, equipment, legislation or best practice.
All employees are expected to support the implementation of this policy and contribute to maintaining a safe environment for everyone who works at or uses Storage Sydenham Hill and its associated removal services.
