Storage Fulwell Health and Safety Policy
Storage Fulwell is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, visitors and customers. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage, handling, and removal of goods, including associated transport and handling activities.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. We seek to continually improve our health and safety performance through planning, training, monitoring and review. Health and safety is integral to all storage, handling and removal operations carried out by Storage Fulwell.
We are committed to complying with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards relevant to storage facilities and removal services. We will provide appropriate resources, information and instruction to support safe working practices at all times.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Fulwell has overall responsibility for health and safety. Management will ensure that suitable arrangements are in place for planning, organising, controlling, monitoring and reviewing safety performance.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy in their areas of control. This includes ensuring that risk assessments are completed and kept up to date, safe systems of work are followed, and staff receive appropriate training, supervision and equipment.
Management will promote a positive safety culture where all members of staff understand that safe working is a fundamental requirement of their role and that work will never be carried out in an unsafe manner.
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. All staff must follow the safety procedures and guidance issued by Storage Fulwell and use any equipment or protective devices provided.
Employees must immediately report accidents, incidents, near misses, unsafe conditions or equipment defects to their manager or supervisor. Staff are encouraged to contribute to safety improvements and to raise any concerns about working practices without fear of reprisal.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Fulwell will carry out and maintain suitable and sufficient risk assessments for all significant hazards associated with its storage and removal operations. This includes manual handling of items, lifting operations, use of vehicles, working at height, use of equipment, fire safety, and general workplace hazards within storage areas.
From these risk assessments, safe systems of work and method statements will be developed and implemented. Staff will be informed of the findings of risk assessments relevant to their work and will be trained in the required safe procedures, including those specific to removal activities such as loading, unloading and securing goods in transit.
Training, Instruction and Supervision
Storage Fulwell will provide appropriate health and safety training for all employees, including induction training for new starters and role specific training for those engaged in storage and removal tasks. Training may include manual handling, use of lifting aids, safe stacking of goods, vehicle safety, fire safety and emergency procedures.
Supervision will be provided according to the level of risk and the experience of personnel. Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that only trained and competent staff carry out tasks that involve higher risk, such as operating lifting equipment or planning complex removal jobs.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Due to the nature of storage and removal operations, manual handling is a significant area of risk. Storage Fulwell will, wherever possible, avoid or reduce the need for manual handling by using appropriate mechanical aids such as trolleys, sack trucks and lifting equipment.
Where manual handling cannot be avoided, tasks will be planned to minimise risk of injury, and staff will receive suitable training on correct lifting techniques, team lifting and recognition of loads that are too heavy or awkward to move safely. All handling and lifting equipment will be properly maintained, inspected and used in accordance with instructions and training.
Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety
For removal services and any associated transport, Storage Fulwell will ensure that vehicles are suitable for their intended use, properly maintained and checked regularly. Drivers must be competent, fit for duty and follow all relevant road safety requirements and internal procedures for loading, unloading and securing loads.
Traffic routes within storage areas, loading bays and yards will be organised to minimise the risk of collision between vehicles and pedestrians. Clear signage, marked walkways and appropriate lighting will be provided where necessary.
Premises, Housekeeping and Fire Safety
Storage Fulwell will maintain its premises in a safe condition, with suitable lighting, ventilation and access routes. Good housekeeping will be enforced to keep aisles, stairways, fire exits and emergency routes clear of obstructions.
Appropriate fire safety measures will be in place, including fire detection where required, suitable extinguishing equipment, clearly marked exits and emergency lighting as applicable. Staff will be trained in fire procedures, including evacuation routes and assembly points, and regular drills will be carried out where appropriate.
Accidents, Incidents and First Aid
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported and recorded in accordance with Storage Fulwell procedures. Investigations will be conducted to identify causes and to implement corrective and preventive actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Suitable first aid arrangements will be provided, including trained first aiders and access to first aid supplies. Information on first aid procedures and the location of first aid resources will be made available to staff and visitors.
Consultation and Communication
Storage Fulwell will consult with employees on matters affecting their health and safety. This may include formal or informal discussions, safety meetings or briefings on particular risks, such as changes in storage layouts, introduction of new equipment or updates to removal procedures.
Health and safety information will be communicated clearly and promptly. Staff are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions to improve safety performance and to take an active role in maintaining safe working conditions.
Monitoring, Audit and Policy Review
Compliance with this Health and Safety policy and associated procedures will be monitored through inspections, audits and review of accident and incident data. Where shortcomings are identified, appropriate actions will be taken to address them.
This policy will be reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to operations, legislation or best practice that may impact health and safety. Updated versions will be communicated to all staff and relevant parties to ensure ongoing awareness and compliance.
By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Storage Fulwell aims to ensure that storage and removal activities are carried out safely, responsibly and with due regard for the wellbeing of everyone who may be affected by its operations.
