Health and Safety Policy for Storage Selhurst
Storage Selhurst is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, visitors and customers. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage, handling, removals, transport and related services. Our objective is to prevent injury, protect health and safeguard property while delivering efficient and reliable services.
Policy Statement
We recognise our responsibility to identify, control and minimise health and safety risks arising from our activities. We will provide suitable resources, training, supervision and equipment to enable work to be carried out safely. Management at all levels is responsible for promoting a positive safety culture and ensuring that this policy is implemented, monitored and regularly reviewed.
This policy applies to all employees of Storage Selhurst and to agency staff, contractors, visitors and customers while on our premises or engaged in activities under our control, including removals and transport operations.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for setting clear health and safety objectives, ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, approving procedures and providing adequate resources for risk management. They will also review performance and support continuous improvement.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing safe systems of work, conducting and reviewing risk assessments, ensuring staff are competent for their roles and enforcing safe behaviour on company premises and during off-site work such as collections, deliveries and removals.
Employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow company procedures, use equipment correctly, wear prescribed personal protective equipment and report hazards, near misses and incidents promptly to their line manager.
Contractors and visitors must comply with site rules, safety instructions and any specific requirements communicated to them when working at or visiting our facilities.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Selhurst will identify hazards and assess risks for all significant activities, including manual handling, lifting operations, working at height, vehicle movements, loading and unloading, use of mechanical handling equipment and operation of storage spaces.
Risk assessments will be documented, reviewed at regular intervals and updated whenever there are changes in work processes, equipment or layout. Control measures will be implemented based on the hierarchy of control, prioritising elimination and reduction of risk, followed by engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment where required.
Safe systems of work and method statements will be developed for higher-risk activities, particularly for removal operations, packing and unpacking, transit of goods, access to storage units and handling of bulky or awkward items.
Training, Instruction and Supervision
All employees will receive health and safety induction training appropriate to their role. This includes information on site rules, emergency arrangements, incident reporting procedures and specific risks related to storage and removals work.
Where relevant, additional training will be provided in manual handling techniques, operation of lifting and handling equipment, safe use of vehicles, load securing, working at height and dealing with hazardous or fragile items. Competence will be monitored and refresher training provided as needed.
Supervision will be proportionate to the level of risk and the experience of the individuals involved. New or inexperienced staff will be closely supervised until they are assessed as competent to work independently.
Manual Handling and Lifting Operations
The nature of storage and removals work involves frequent manual handling of goods, equipment and materials. Storage Selhurst will seek to minimise manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable by using mechanical aids such as trolleys, dollies, pallet trucks and lifting equipment.
Where manual handling is unavoidable, loads should be assessed for weight, size, shape and stability. Staff are expected to use correct lifting techniques, avoid twisting or overreaching, seek assistance for heavy or awkward items and follow agreed team lifting procedures.
Lifting equipment and accessories will be suitable for the intended use, subject to regular inspection and maintained in good condition. Only authorised and trained personnel may operate lifting and handling equipment.
Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety
Transport and removals activities are managed to reduce risks to drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users. Vehicles will be maintained in a roadworthy condition and subject to regular checks and servicing.
Drivers must hold the appropriate licences, follow road traffic laws and company driving standards, and carry out pre-use vehicle checks. Loads must be properly planned, evenly distributed and securely restrained to prevent movement or damage during transit.
On site, vehicle movements will be controlled using designated routes, speed restrictions, loading and unloading areas and, where appropriate, banksmen to guide reversing manoeuvres and tight access operations.
Workplace and Storage Safety
Storage areas, loading bays and offices will be kept clean, tidy and free from unnecessary obstructions. Floors and access routes will be maintained in a safe condition to prevent slips, trips and falls.
Racking, shelving and storage units will be installed and used in accordance with manufacturer guidance and internal procedures. Loads will be stored safely, with heavy items kept low and care taken to prevent overloading or instability.
Lighting, ventilation and temperature conditions will be suitable for the tasks being undertaken, with particular attention to areas where goods are handled, packed or moved.
Welfare, Health and Wellbeing
Storage Selhurst will provide suitable welfare facilities including access to drinking water, toilets, rest areas and, where required, facilities for changing and storing personal clothing. We aim to promote general wellbeing and to support employees who experience work-related or personal health issues that may affect their safety or performance.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment will be provided and maintained. This may include safety footwear, gloves, high-visibility clothing, eye protection or other items depending on the task.
Employees must use personal protective equipment as instructed and report any defects or damage so that replacements can be arranged promptly.
Emergency Preparedness and Incident Reporting
Emergency procedures are in place for fire, accident, spillages and other foreseeable events. These include clear instructions on evacuation routes, assembly points, raising alarms and contacting emergency services. Emergency arrangements are communicated to staff and tested periodically through drills.
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported and recorded. Investigations will be carried out to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Information from incident investigations will be used to improve our systems and prevent recurrence.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Storage Selhurst will monitor health and safety performance through inspections, audits, incident statistics, staff feedback and management review. This policy and the associated procedures will be reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur in our operations, premises or legal requirements.
We encourage open communication about health and safety and welcome suggestions from employees and customers on how we can further improve our standards while delivering reliable storage and removals services.
