Storage Romford Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and standards that Storage Romford follows to safeguard employees, customers, contractors, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our storage and removal activities. Our aim is to provide a safe, healthy and well managed environment across all operations, including packing, lifting, loading, transportation and storage of goods.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Storage Romford is committed to preventing accidents and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing appropriate control measures. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance, comply with all relevant legislation and promote a positive safety culture throughout our storage and removals services.
We recognise that effective health and safety management is integral to delivering reliable removals, secure storage and high quality customer service. Health and safety considerations are built into planning, supervision and review of our day-to-day activities.
Responsibilities and Management
Overall responsibility for health and safety lies with the company management, who ensure that suitable resources are made available to implement this policy. Managers and supervisors are responsible for applying safe systems of work, monitoring staff performance and addressing any safety issues that arise during storage, removals, packing, loading or unloading activities.
All employees share responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff are required to follow training and instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards and near misses, and co-operate fully with all health and safety arrangements in place.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out regular risk assessments for our key activities, including manual handling, use of trolleys and moving equipment, operation of vehicles, working in storage areas, and handling of bulky or fragile items. These assessments identify significant risks and set out measures to eliminate or reduce those risks as far as reasonably practicable.
Safe systems of work are developed from these risk assessments and are communicated clearly to staff. This includes procedures for planning removal routes, loading and unloading vehicles, stacking items in storage units, handling heavy or awkward loads, and maintaining clear access routes and emergency exits.
Staff Training and Competence
We provide appropriate health and safety training for all employees when they join the company and on an ongoing basis. Training covers safe lifting and carrying techniques, correct use of moving equipment, vehicle safety, working in confined or shared spaces, and emergency arrangements such as fire evacuation and first aid response.
Supervisors monitor that training is understood and correctly applied during storage and removal tasks. Additional instruction or refresher training is given when new risks are identified, new equipment is introduced or working practices change.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of removals and storage work and is a particular focus of our safety management. We plan handling tasks to avoid or reduce the need for lifting and carrying wherever possible, making use of trolleys, sack trucks, dollies and other handling aids.
Where manual lifting is required, staff are expected to assess the load and environment, request assistance where needed and follow correct posture and handling techniques. Loads must be stable and secure before they are moved, and items must not be stacked in a way that creates a risk of collapse or obstruction.
All handling equipment and tools are maintained in good working order and checked regularly. Defective equipment is removed from use until it has been repaired or replaced.
Vehicles, Loading and Transport
Our vehicles used for removal services are maintained to meet safety and roadworthiness requirements. Drivers are expected to conduct basic checks before use and report any defects immediately. Loads must be distributed evenly, secured properly and not exceed vehicle capacity.
Loading and unloading operations are planned to minimise reversing and reduce interaction between vehicles and pedestrians. Staff are trained to maintain safe distances, use agreed signals where necessary and remain alert to moving vehicles and changing site conditions.
Storage Areas and Site Safety
Storage spaces and working areas are kept as tidy and orderly as possible to reduce slips, trips and falls. Aisles, access routes, doors and fire exits must be kept clear at all times. Items are stored at safe heights and in a stable manner, with heavier items placed at lower levels where practicable.
Lighting is maintained at suitable levels, and any damage to the building fabric, fixtures or fittings that may create a hazard is reported promptly. Smoking and the use of open flames are strictly controlled and only permitted in designated areas if applicable to the site.
Welfare, Health and Wellbeing
Storage Romford recognises the importance of staff welfare and wellbeing in maintaining a safe workplace. We strive to ensure that employees have access to adequate rest breaks, drinking water, toilet and washing facilities. Where possible, work schedules and workloads are planned to avoid excessive physical strain or fatigue.
We encourage staff to raise any concerns about their health in relation to work activities, particularly where they may be affected by lifting, repetitive tasks or extended periods of driving. Suitable adjustments will be considered to support employees and maintain safe working practices.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager so that they can be recorded, investigated and used to improve our safety measures. We maintain records of accidents and review them periodically to identify trends and opportunities for prevention.
Clear emergency procedures are in place for fire, serious injury and other urgent situations. Staff are briefed on alarm signals, evacuation routes, assembly points and the location of first aid supplies. Drills are carried out where appropriate to ensure that emergency arrangements are effective and understood.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We believe that good communication is essential to effective health and safety management. Employees are encouraged to contribute ideas, raise concerns and participate in discussions about safer ways of working in our storage and removals operations.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice and our own activities. By working together and maintaining high standards, Storage Romford aims to provide a safe environment for everyone who works with us, stores with us or uses our removal services.
