Storage Shoreditch Health and Safety Policy
Storage Shoreditch is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, contractors, customers and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across our storage facilities and associated removal and handling services. Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health, and to promote a culture of continuous improvement.
Policy Statement and Objectives
We recognise our duty to comply with applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice. We aim to identify, assess and control risks arising from our activities, including storage operations, manual handling, loading and unloading, and movement of goods. We will provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that tasks are performed safely.
Our core health and safety objectives are to prevent harm, maintain safe systems of work, provide safe equipment and facilities, and encourage active participation from all individuals working at or visiting our premises.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Shoreditch holds overall responsibility for health and safety performance. Management will allocate suitable resources to implement this policy, ensure risk assessments are carried out and reviewed, and monitor compliance with all relevant safety procedures. Managers will lead by example, promote safe behaviour and intervene where unsafe acts or conditions are observed.
Management will ensure that plant, vehicles, lifting equipment, storage systems and associated tools are properly maintained, inspected and used in line with manufacturer instructions and legal requirements. Where specialist removal and handling services are provided, additional controls will be implemented to address the particular risks of lifting, carrying, transporting and securing customers belongings.
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 procedures, attend required training, use equipment correctly and report hazards, near misses, accidents and unsafe conditions without delay.
Employees involved in removal, loading, unloading or manual handling activities must always use provided handling aids, follow safe lifting techniques and comply with traffic management rules in yards, loading bays and storage areas. No task should be undertaken if it is believed to be unsafe or beyond personal capability; concerns must be raised with a supervisor immediately.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will regularly conduct and review risk assessments covering our premises, storage areas, access routes, loading bays, vehicle movements and removal operations. These assessments will identify hazards, evaluate risks and set out the necessary control measures. Findings will be communicated to relevant staff and used to develop safe systems of work.
Written procedures will be in place for key tasks such as receiving and dispatching goods, operating handling equipment, stacking and storing items, working at height where applicable, and coordinating vehicle movements. Where removal services are provided, assessments will consider property access, stairways, lifting routes, load weights and securing items during transit.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees will receive appropriate induction training covering emergency arrangements, reporting procedures, safe use of equipment and site rules. Additional task-specific training will be provided for roles involving manual handling, operation of lifting or moving equipment, and supervision of removal activities.
Information regarding hazards, safety rules and emergency procedures will be made available in clear and accessible formats. Supervisors will monitor working practices, provide guidance where needed, and ensure that new or temporary staff are adequately instructed before starting work.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling risks are a key focus in storage and removal work. We will, where reasonably practicable, avoid the need for hazardous manual handling by using mechanical aids or adjusting work processes. Where manual handling is unavoidable, loads will be assessed and handling techniques planned to minimise strain, twisting and overreaching.
Only trained and authorised personnel will operate mechanical handling equipment such as trolleys, pallet trucks or lifting devices. Equipment will be inspected at appropriate intervals and any defects reported immediately. Staff must never exceed equipment load limits or use equipment for tasks for which it is not designed.
Vehicle and Traffic Safety
We will manage vehicle movements in and around our premises to minimise the risk of collision, injury or property damage. This includes clear route markings where appropriate, designated loading and unloading areas, and controls on reversing and parking. Drivers and staff involved in vehicle operations must follow site rules and instructions from supervisors.
During removal and delivery work, loads must be arranged and secured to prevent movement, with particular attention to heavy, fragile or awkward items. Staff must check access points, steps and pathways for hazards before moving items and must not rush or compromise safe handling to save time.
Workplace Conditions and Housekeeping
Storage Shoreditch will maintain clean, orderly and well-lit premises. Aisles, stairways, fire exits and emergency routes must be kept clear at all times. Spills, obstructions or damaged surfaces must be addressed promptly to reduce slip, trip and fall risks.
Storage areas will be organised to ensure that goods are stacked safely, taking account of weight, stability and access. Hazardous or restricted items will only be accepted and stored in line with applicable regulations and company rules, and where appropriate controls can be maintained.
Emergency Procedures and First Aid
Emergency arrangements, including procedures for fire, evacuation and serious incidents, will be clearly communicated to all employees and displayed in prominent locations. Staff must familiarise themselves with evacuation routes and assembly points.
Adequate first aid provisions will be maintained on site, and appointed persons or first aiders will be available during operational hours. All accidents, injuries and near misses must be reported in accordance with company procedures so that they can be investigated and used to improve safety measures.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Shoreditch will consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage suggestions for improving safety practices. Feedback from staff, customers and contractors will be considered in reviews of this policy and our procedures.
We will periodically review this policy to ensure it remains effective, relevant to our operations and aligned with legal requirements and best practice. Changes in our services, facilities or work processes will trigger additional assessments and updates where necessary.
Policy Review and Communication
This Health and Safety Policy is approved by senior management and will be reviewed regularly. The policy is communicated to all employees during induction and made available to customers, contractors and visitors on request. Everyone who works with or for Storage Shoreditch is expected to support and adhere to this policy to help maintain a safe and healthy environment for all.
