Storage Upton Health And Safety Policy
Storage Upton 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, transportation and removal activities carried out on our premises and at customer locations.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health arising from our work operations. We will work to identify potential hazards, assess risks and implement proportionate control measures to safeguard people, property and the environment. Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver our storage and removal services.
All employees and contractors are required to co operate with Storage Upton in implementing this policy and must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Upton has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented and reviewed regularly. Management will:
Provide clear leadership on health and safety, promoting a culture in which safety is a core value in all storage and removal activities.
Ensure that adequate resources are made available for health and safety, including training, supervision, equipment and facilities.
Identify significant hazards arising from our operations and ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out and recorded.
Implement safe systems of work and operational procedures for storage, loading, unloading, lifting, manual handling and vehicle movements.
Ensure that all work equipment, including vehicles and lifting aids, is fit for purpose, maintained, inspected and used correctly by competent personnel.
Monitor performance, investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and act on findings to prevent recurrence.
Review this policy periodically and after significant changes in operations or legislation to ensure that it remains effective and appropriate.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share responsibility for maintaining safe working conditions. Employees must:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training provided by Storage Upton.
Use equipment, vehicles, tools and personal protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately.
Take care of their own health and safety and that of colleagues, customers and members of the public who may be affected by their work.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses, unsafe conditions or concerns to their supervisor without delay.
Participate in health and safety training, toolbox talks and refresher sessions as required.
Refrain from misusing or interfering with anything provided for health, safety and welfare.
Risk Assessment And Safe Systems Of Work
Storage Upton will conduct systematic risk assessments for storage, handling and removal tasks, including work taking place on customer premises. These assessments will identify hazards, evaluate risks and determine appropriate control measures, such as safe working methods, training requirements and equipment specifications.
Safe systems of work will be developed for key tasks including manual handling of goods, packing and unpacking items, lifting and carrying bulky or heavy objects, operating materials handling equipment, securing loads in vehicles, stacking and retrieving items in storage areas and accessing high levels or confined spaces where necessary.
These procedures will be communicated clearly to employees and, where relevant, to contractors. Compliance with safe systems of work is mandatory.
Manual Handling And Musculoskeletal Health
Many of our activities involve lifting, carrying and moving goods. Storage Upton is committed to minimising manual handling risks through careful planning and use of equipment. We will, where reasonably practicable, avoid hazardous manual handling by using trolleys, dollies, sack trucks, lifting straps and mechanical aids.
When manual handling is unavoidable, we will assess the task, item and environment and apply controls such as team lifting, task rotation and limits on load weights. Employees will receive training in safe lifting techniques, posture, and recognition of strain or fatigue. Any discomfort or injury must be reported at once so that appropriate action can be taken.
Vehicles, Driving And Site Traffic
Storage Upton uses vehicles for collection, removal and delivery of items and for internal site movements. We will ensure that drivers are competent, licensed where required and medically fit to drive. Vehicles will be maintained and inspected regularly, and defects reported and addressed promptly.
Traffic routes in and around our premises will be organised to separate vehicles and pedestrians as far as reasonably practicable. Speed limits, parking arrangements and loading areas will be clearly defined and respected. When working at customer locations, drivers and crews will assess access routes, parking positions and loading points to reduce the risk of collision, falls and manual handling injuries.
Safe Storage And Handling Of Goods
All goods stored or handled by Storage Upton will be managed in a way that prevents collapse, falling items and damage to property. Racking, shelving and containers will be of suitable design and capacity and will be installed and maintained correctly. Items will be stacked safely with regard to weight, size, stability and frequency of access.
Where fragile, sharp, heavy or awkward items are stored or moved, additional precautions will be taken, including protective packaging, clear labelling, team lifting and use of appropriate handling equipment.
Workplace Conditions And Welfare
Storage Upton will maintain premises, vehicles and equipment in a clean, orderly and safe condition. This includes good housekeeping in storage areas and vehicles, safe access and egress, adequate lighting, ventilation and temperature control where reasonably practicable, and suitable welfare facilities for employees.
Fire safety arrangements will include risk assessment, alarms, extinguishers, emergency routes and evacuation procedures. Employees will be informed of emergency arrangements for both our premises and any sites they visit.
Training, Information And Supervision
We will provide employees with suitable and sufficient health and safety training relevant to their role. This may include induction training, task specific training for storage and removal operations, manual handling, safe use of equipment and vehicles, and emergency procedures.
Supervisors will monitor work practices to ensure that training is applied and that procedures are followed consistently. Additional training and guidance will be provided whenever new equipment, processes or locations are introduced.
Consultation And Continuous Improvement
Storage Upton encourages open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safe working methods. Feedback from staff and customers, as well as learning from incidents, will be used to improve our arrangements continuously.
This Health and Safety Policy is endorsed by senior management and applies to all operations carried out by Storage Upton. Compliance with this policy is a condition of employment and forms a key part of delivering our storage and removal services safely and responsibly.
