Health and Safety Policy for Storage Hackney Marshes
Storage Hackney Marshes is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for customers, visitors, employees, contractors and any other persons who may be affected by our storage and removal activities. This Health and Safety policy explains our approach to managing risks associated with storing goods, moving items, operating vehicles and working within our facilities.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our objectives are to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, protect property and goods, and ensure that storage and removals services are delivered in a controlled and professionally managed environment. We aim to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and to apply recognised best practice in the storage and removals industry.
We are committed to continually improving our health and safety performance through regular review of procedures, training, supervision and communication with staff and customers.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for health and safety within Storage Hackney Marshes. This includes providing suitable resources, facilities and information to manage risk effectively. Management will:
Identify significant hazards associated with storage units, handling goods and removal operations.
Carry out risk assessments and implement appropriate control measures.
Ensure that equipment, vehicles and storage areas are properly maintained and safe to use.
Provide staff with relevant training, instructions and supervision.
Monitor compliance with health and safety procedures and take corrective action where needed.
Review this policy periodically and after any major incident, operational change or regulatory update.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety instructions, signage and training provided by Storage Hackney Marshes.
Use equipment, tools and vehicles only for their intended purpose and in a safe manner.
Report accidents, near misses, hazards, damage and unsafe conditions to management without delay.
Participate in health and safety training and refresher sessions as required.
Cooperate with any investigation into incidents or complaints relating to health and safety.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors using our storage facilities or engaging our removal services are expected to:
Follow safety signage and any instructions provided by staff while on site or during a removal job.
Use access routes, loading areas and parking areas as directed.
Keep children and vulnerable persons under close supervision at all times.
Ensure that items brought into storage or to be moved are safe, secure and properly packaged.
Refrain from bringing prohibited or hazardous substances into our facilities or onto our vehicles.
Report any hazards, spillages or unsafe behaviour to a member of staff as soon as possible.
Safe Storage of Goods
To reduce risks within storage units and common areas, Storage Hackney Marshes:
Maintains storage spaces, corridors and loading bays in a clean and orderly condition wherever reasonably practicable.
Provides guidance on safe stacking, racking and packing of goods to minimise the risk of collapse or damage.
Restricts the storage of flammable, explosive, corrosive, illegal or otherwise hazardous materials in accordance with applicable regulations and our terms and conditions.
Monitors access to storage areas and may restrict or supervise entries where necessary for safety reasons.
Requests that customers distribute weight evenly, avoid overloading shelving and ensure that heavy items are stored at a low level where possible.
Safe Removals and Handling Operations
Our removals activities involve manual handling, vehicle use and work at various locations. To manage these risks, we will:
Train staff in correct manual handling techniques, including lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
Use appropriate handling aids such as trolleys, dollies and lifting equipment where practicable.
Plan removal jobs in advance, assessing access, parking, staircases and lifts to identify any hazards.
Encourage customers to declare any unusually heavy, bulky or fragile items so that arrangements can be made for safe handling.
Ensure that staff do not attempt to move loads that are beyond their capability or which cannot be moved safely with the equipment provided.
Vehicles and Driving Safety
Where vehicles are used for removals and transport of goods, Storage Hackney Marshes will:
Ensure that drivers are appropriately licensed and competent to operate vehicles safely.
Inspect and maintain vehicles regularly, addressing defects promptly.
Control loading of vehicles so that weight limits are not exceeded and loads are suitably secured.
Promote safe driving practices, compliance with road traffic regulations and respect for other road users and the public.
Manage parking and loading around our facilities to reduce congestion and protect pedestrians.
Equipment, Maintenance and Housekeeping
We are committed to ensuring that equipment and premises are safe for use. This includes:
Regular inspection and maintenance of handling equipment, doors, locks and access systems.
Keeping floors, stairs, ramps and loading areas free from avoidable trip and slip hazards.
Maintaining adequate lighting, ventilation and where appropriate temperature control in occupied areas.
Storing tools, materials and waste in designated areas to avoid obstruction of exits, walkways and emergency equipment.
Responding promptly to defects, spills and damage reported by staff or customers.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Hackney Marshes aims to minimise the risk of fire and ensure that people know what to do in an emergency. We will:
Maintain fire detection, alarm and firefighting equipment as required.
Keep emergency exits, escape routes and assembly points clearly marked and unobstructed.
Prohibit smoking in restricted areas and control sources of ignition in storage spaces.
Display clear instructions regarding emergency evacuation procedures.
Train employees in fire safety, evacuation and the use of equipment where appropriate.
Training, Information and Consultation
We believe that effective communication is essential to safe storage and removal operations. Storage Hackney Marshes will:
Provide induction training to new employees covering site rules, hazards, emergency arrangements and reporting procedures.
Offer ongoing training relevant to specific roles, such as driving, manual handling and use of equipment.
Inform customers of key safety information through signage, written materials and verbal instructions where required.
Encourage staff to raise health and safety concerns and contribute suggestions for improvement.
Contractors and Third Parties
Where contractors or third parties carry out work on our behalf or on our premises, we will:
Assess their competence to manage health and safety risks appropriately.
Provide information on site rules, hazards and emergency procedures.
Monitor their activities to ensure that they do not endanger staff, customers or the public.
Expect them to comply with applicable regulations and to cooperate with our own safety measures.
Accident Reporting and Policy Review
All accidents, incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as reasonably practicable. Storage Hackney Marshes will investigate such events to identify causes, learn lessons and implement improvements.
This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with our storage and removals operations. Updated versions will replace previous versions and will be made available to employees and customers on request.
By using our storage facilities or engaging our removals services, customers and visitors acknowledge the importance of health and safety and agree to cooperate with the measures set out in this policy.
