Health and Safety Policy for Storage North Ockendon

Storage North Ockendon is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with storage operations, removals, handling, transportation, office activities and the use of our facilities.

Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and assets, and promote a culture where safety is an integral part of every activity.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Storage North Ockendon accepts ultimate responsibility for health and safety within the business. Management will provide visible leadership, appropriate resources and effective systems to ensure risks are identified, assessed and controlled.

Management duties include, but are not limited to, the following key responsibilities. Ensuring compliance with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. Implementing and maintaining suitable arrangements for the planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of health and safety measures. Providing safe premises, well maintained storage areas, and appropriate equipment for both storage and removals activities. Ensuring that employees receive necessary information, instruction, training and supervision for the tasks they perform. Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses, and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Reviewing this policy periodically and updating it when operations, risks or legal requirements change.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has a legal and moral duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Health and safety is a shared responsibility across the business.

Employees are required to follow all safe working procedures and instructions issued by management or supervisors. Use the provided equipment, tools and personal protective equipment correctly. Report hazards, defects, unsafe practices, accidents, incidents and near misses to management without delay. Co operate with any safety inspection, audit, training or investigation. Refrain from intentional or reckless misuse of equipment, facilities or safety devices.

No employee will be disciplined for raising genuine health and safety concerns. Failure to follow reasonable health and safety rules or instructions, or engaging in serious unsafe behaviour, may lead to disciplinary action.

Safe Working Environment

Storage North Ockendon will strive to maintain all work areas, including storage units, loading bays, vehicle access points, offices and welfare facilities, in a safe and orderly condition. Attention will be paid to good housekeeping, clear access routes and appropriate lighting.

Measures include maintaining clear walkways and emergency exits, with obstruction strictly prohibited. Controlling slip, trip and fall risks through regular cleaning, suitable flooring and prompt attention to spills or debris. Providing adequate lighting in storage areas, stairways, loading points and parking areas. Ensuring safe stacking and storage of goods and materials, with consideration given to weight, stability and access. Providing secure and properly designated areas for vehicles, including those used for removals and transportation.

Risk Assessment and Control

We will complete and regularly review risk assessments for key activities, including manual handling, operation of handling equipment, loading and unloading vehicles, driving duties, and general workplace activities.

Controls will be implemented in line with the principles of prevention. Eliminating risks where practicable. Substituting safer methods or equipment where elimination is not possible. Introducing engineering controls and physical safeguards to reduce exposure to hazards. Establishing administrative controls, such as safe systems of work and scheduling to avoid excessive workloads. Providing appropriate personal protective equipment where residual risks remain.

Manual Handling and Lifting Operations

Manual handling and lifting are central to many storage and removals activities, and they present significant risks of injury if not managed correctly. We are committed to minimising manual handling risks through planning, training and the use of mechanical aids.

We will assess manual handling tasks with particular attention to load weight, shape, stability and frequency of handling. Where reasonable, heavy or awkward loads will be moved using appropriate mechanical equipment or team lifting. Employees will receive instruction in safe lifting techniques, posture and handling practices. No employee should attempt to lift or move a load they consider unsafe or beyond their capability.

Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety

Vehicles, including those used for removals and distribution associated with our storage services, will be operated in a safe and responsible manner at all times. Only authorised and competent persons may drive company vehicles or operate mechanical handling equipment.

Vehicles will be subject to appropriate maintenance and safety checks. Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, internal site rules, and any specific loading and unloading procedures. Reversing and manoeuvring must be managed to reduce collision risks, with use of guides where appropriate. Loads must be properly secured to prevent movement during transit.

Training, Information and Supervision

Storage North Ockendon will provide employees with suitable health and safety training and information relevant to their roles. This includes induction training for new starters, job specific instruction on equipment and procedures, and refresher training when needed.

Supervisors will monitor working practices to ensure that training is applied and that safe systems of work are followed. Additional support or retraining will be provided if deficiencies are identified.

Welfare, Health and Wellbeing

We recognise the importance of welfare facilities and overall wellbeing in maintaining a safe and productive workplace. Adequate toilet, washing and rest facilities will be provided and maintained in a clean and hygienic condition.

We will seek to manage workloads to reduce undue stress, promote reasonable working hours and encourage early reporting of health concerns that may affect safety. Smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs are prohibited in unauthorised areas or where they may compromise safety.

Consultation and Communication

Storage North Ockendon encourages open communication on health and safety matters. Employees will be consulted on significant changes to processes, equipment or working practices that may affect their safety.

Health and safety information, safety notices and updates will be communicated through appropriate channels, which may include team briefings and written communications displayed in common areas.

Emergency Preparedness and First Aid

We will maintain suitable arrangements for emergency situations, including fire, serious injury, spillage of hazardous substances and other foreseeable incidents. Emergency procedures will be clearly communicated and rehearsed where appropriate.

First aid facilities and trained first aiders will be provided in line with the nature and scale of our operations. All employees must follow emergency instructions immediately, including evacuation procedures, assembly point requirements and co operation with emergency services.

Monitoring, Audit and Review

Performance in health and safety will be monitored through inspections, incident reporting, audits and review meetings. Findings will be used to improve our systems and prevent recurrences.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed on a regular basis and following any significant change in operations, legislation or identified risk. The updated policy will be communicated to all relevant parties so that everyone understands their roles, responsibilities and the standards expected at Storage North Ockendon.