Storage Kingston Vale Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Storage Kingston Vale manages health, safety and welfare for all people who may be affected by our activities. This includes employees, contractors, customers, visitors and members of the public in and around our storage facilities and during related removal and transport work.
We are committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment, preventing accidents and work-related ill health, and complying with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards.
Our General Health and Safety Commitments
Storage Kingston Vale is committed to:
Identifying, assessing and controlling risks associated with storage, handling, lifting, loading and transport of goods and materials. Providing and maintaining safe premises, vehicles, equipment and systems of work. Ensuring that all staff are properly trained, supervised and competent to carry out their roles safely. Consulting with employees on matters affecting health and safety. Providing clear information, instructions and guidance to employees, contractors and customers. Striving for continual improvement in health and safety performance.
Responsibilities for Health and Safety
Overall responsibility for health and safety lies with senior management, who will ensure that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy and associated procedures.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that:
Risk assessments are completed, reviewed and acted upon. Safe working procedures are implemented and followed. Staff receive appropriate information, training and supervision. Equipment and vehicles are maintained in a safe condition. Accidents, incidents and near misses are reported, investigated and recorded.
All employees have a duty to:
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow training and instructions, use equipment correctly and cooperate with health and safety procedures. Report hazards, defects, accidents and near misses to management without delay. Refrain from any behaviour that could endanger themselves or others.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out risk assessments covering storage areas, offices, loading bays, vehicle movements and removal-related activities such as lifting, carrying and securing loads. Findings are used to develop safe systems of work and appropriate control measures.
Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, premises, equipment or work practices.
Safe Storage and Access
All storage areas are organised to minimise the risk of injury, obstruction and fire. This includes:
Keeping access routes, fire exits and emergency equipment clear at all times. Ensuring goods are stacked safely, with heavier items stored at lower levels. Using appropriate shelving, racking and handling equipment for the loads involved. Controlling access to operational areas so only authorised persons enter.
Customers and visitors are required to follow site safety instructions, signage and staff guidance when accessing storage units or interacting with our team.
Manual Handling and Lifting Operations
Manual handling and lifting are a key part of both storage and removal activities. To reduce the risk of injury we:
Provide manual handling training appropriate to each role. Encourage the use of trolleys, lifting aids and team lifting for heavy or awkward loads. Assess loads and routes before lifting, avoiding unnecessary carrying and twisting. Set clear limits on the weights that individuals may handle unaided.
Employees must follow training, ask for assistance where needed and refuse to lift or move items in a way that could cause injury.
Vehicles, Driving and Transport of Goods
For removal and transport work, we aim to ensure that all vehicle-related activities are carried out safely by:
Using only suitably maintained and roadworthy vehicles. Ensuring drivers are competent, appropriately licensed and medically fit. Planning routes to reduce unnecessary risks and delays. Securing loads to prevent movement, damage and instability. Controlling vehicle movements on site to protect pedestrians and other road users.
Drivers must inspect vehicles before use, report defects, comply with driving hours, and follow company procedures on safe loading, unloading and parking.
Work Equipment and Maintenance
All equipment used in storage and removal operations, including lifting aids, trolleys and tools, must be suitable for its task and well maintained.
We will:
Purchase or hire equipment from reputable suppliers. Carry out regular inspections, maintenance and servicing. Remove defective equipment from use until it has been repaired or replaced. Provide staff with instructions and training on safe use.
Employees must not misuse equipment or attempt unauthorised repairs.
Fire Safety and Emergency Arrangements
We take fire safety seriously and maintain procedures to protect people and property. This includes:
Carrying out fire risk assessments and implementing control measures. Providing clearly marked escape routes and keeping them unobstructed. Installing and maintaining suitable fire detection and firefighting equipment. Displaying clear emergency instructions and signage. Conducting periodic drills and reviews of emergency procedures.
Everyone on site must familiarise themselves with escape routes, follow instructions during an emergency and never interfere with fire safety equipment.
Health, Welfare and First Aid
We aim to maintain a healthy workplace by providing:
Suitable welfare facilities, including washing and rest areas. Access to trained first aiders and first aid equipment. Procedures for responding to accidents, injuries, illness and emergencies. Consideration of issues such as fatigue, stress and fitness for work where relevant to safety.
All accidents and incidents must be reported so that we can provide support, meet legal requirements and learn from what has happened.
Training, Information and Consultation
Storage Kingston Vale will provide health and safety induction for new starters and ongoing training for existing staff covering safe storage practices, manual handling, vehicle and transport safety, emergency procedures and other relevant topics.
We will consult with employees about health and safety matters and encourage open communication about hazards, near misses and suggestions for improvement.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
We regularly monitor our health and safety performance through inspections, audits, incident reviews and feedback from staff and customers. This policy and related procedures will be reviewed periodically and whenever significant changes occur in our operations or legal requirements.
All employees, contractors and visitors are expected to support this policy and contribute to a culture where safety is integrated into every aspect of storage and removal work carried out by Storage Kingston Vale.
