Health and Safety Policy for Storage South Wimbledon
This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Storage South Wimbledon to maintain safe and healthy conditions for all employees, contractors, customers, and visitors. It applies to all storage operations, removal and handling activities, office areas, and any other work undertaken on or on behalf of the business.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
Storage South Wimbledon is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and minimise risks arising from our storage and removal activities. Health and safety is an integral part of our daily operations and decision making.
Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and will provide clear leadership, adequate resources, and competent supervision to support this policy.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and accepted industry standards for storage facilities and removal operations. This includes observing regulations relating to workplace safety, manual handling, work equipment, fire safety, and the safe use and storage of hazardous substances.
We will review legal requirements on a regular basis and update our procedures as necessary to remain compliant and to reflect best practice.
Roles, Responsibilities and Competence
All employees, from management to front line staff, share responsibility for maintaining a safe environment.
Management will
Provide and maintain safe premises, plant and equipment suitable for storage and removal activities.
Conduct risk assessments and implement appropriate control measures.
Ensure employees receive appropriate training, instruction, and supervision.
Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses and take corrective action.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage feedback.
Employees will
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety procedures, arrangements, and instructions provided.
Use equipment correctly and report defects, hazards, or unsafe practices without delay.
Attend relevant training and maintain good housekeeping within their work areas.
Contractors and visiting removal teams working on our premises are required to cooperate with our health and safety rules, provide evidence of their own safe systems of work where appropriate, and ensure that their activities do not put others at risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will identify hazards associated with our storage and removal activities and systematically assess the risks. This includes, but is not limited to
Manual handling of goods, boxes, and furniture.
Use of trolleys, lifting equipment, and vehicles within the facility.
Working in storage units, corridors, loading bays, and external areas.
Fire, emergency evacuation, and access and egress routes.
Security and personal safety of staff and customers on site.
Wherever possible, risks will be eliminated. Where this is not reasonably practicable, control measures such as mechanical aids, traffic management, signage, training, and supervision will be implemented to reduce risk to an acceptable level.
Manual Handling and Removal Activities
Many of our services involve lifting, carrying, and moving goods for storage or removal. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury, we will
Provide manual handling training for relevant staff.
Encourage the use of trolleys, dollies, and other handling aids.
Plan lifting tasks to avoid excessive loads, awkward postures, or unsafe routes.
Require staff to work within safe lifting limits and to seek assistance for heavy or bulky items.
Promote safe loading and unloading practices for vehicles, including secure stacking and load restraint.
Safe Premises, Equipment and Vehicles
Storage South Wimbledon will maintain the premises and all work equipment in a safe condition. This includes
Regular inspection and maintenance of storage areas, corridors, stairs, doors, and loading bays.
Ensuring good lighting, clear signage, and unobstructed access routes.
Routine checks of handling equipment such as sack trucks and carts.
Safe systems of work for the movement of vehicles on site, including speed limits and designated pedestrian routes where appropriate.
Defective equipment will be taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire safety is a key priority in a storage environment. We will
Provide and maintain suitable fire detection and firefighting equipment.
Keep fire exits, corridors, and escape routes clear at all times.
Display clear fire action notices and evacuation instructions.
Conduct regular fire risk assessments and drills as appropriate.
Train staff in emergency procedures, including how to raise the alarm and assist customers and visitors.
All persons on site must follow evacuation instructions immediately when an alarm is raised.
Hazardous Substances and Prohibited Items
To protect the safety of all users of our facilities, hazardous, illegal, or unsafe goods must not be brought into or stored on the premises. Customers and removal teams are required to comply with our terms and conditions relating to prohibited items, including flammable, explosive, corrosive, or otherwise dangerous substances.
Where permitted products require special handling, assessment and control measures will be put in place and communicated clearly to those involved.
Welfare, Housekeeping and Personal Conduct
We will provide suitable welfare facilities and encourage high standards of housekeeping. All areas should be kept clean, tidy, and free from trip hazards. Waste must be disposed of safely and promptly. Running, unsafe behaviour, and the misuse of equipment are not permitted on site.
Staff and contractors must present themselves in a professional manner and wear any required personal protective equipment relevant to their role and tasks.
Information, Instruction, Training and Supervision
Storage South Wimbledon will provide employees with information and training appropriate to their duties. This may include induction training, role specific instruction, manual handling courses, and refresher training where necessary.
Visitors, customers, and removal teams will be provided with essential safety information relevant to their presence on site, such as parking arrangements, access rules, and emergency procedures.
Monitoring, Reporting and Continuous Improvement
Our health and safety performance will be monitored through inspections, incident reporting, and feedback from staff, customers, and contractors. All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported so that we can investigate and prevent recurrence.
This policy and the associated procedures will be reviewed regularly, and at least annually, to ensure they remain suitable, effective, and aligned with current operations and best practice.
Policy Review and Availability
This Health and Safety policy is endorsed by the management of Storage South Wimbledon and is communicated to all employees. It is available to customers, contractors, and other interested parties on request. The policy will be updated as necessary to reflect changes in our services, including storage operations and removal related activities, and any developments in relevant legislation or guidance.
