Storage West Kensington Health and Safety Policy
Storage West Kensington is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks in our storage facilities and during associated removal and handling activities. Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and promote a culture of safety in all areas of our operations.
Management Responsibilities and Commitment
Senior management is responsible for ensuring that effective health and safety arrangements are in place and that they are implemented, monitored and regularly reviewed. Management will allocate appropriate resources, provide guidance, and lead by example in promoting safe working practices in storage operations and removal services.
We are committed to complying with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards. Where possible, we will go beyond minimum legal requirements to achieve best practice and continuous improvement in our performance.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty of care to themselves, their colleagues, customers and visitors. Employees must take reasonable steps to work safely, follow instructions and training, use equipment correctly and report any unsafe conditions or incidents without delay. No employee will be disciplined or disadvantaged for raising genuine safety concerns.
Employees are expected to cooperate fully with all health and safety measures, participate in training, and wear personal protective equipment when required. Any misuse of equipment, deliberate breach of safety rules or reckless behaviour will be treated as a serious matter.
Customer and Visitor Safety
We take all reasonable steps to ensure that customers and visitors are not exposed to unnecessary risks while on our premises or while we are providing removal and handling services. Clear signage, safe access routes and appropriate instructions are provided to help people move safely in and around loading areas, corridors, stairways, lifts and storage units.
Customers are asked to follow staff guidance, observe safety signage, and ensure their stored goods are packed, lifted and stacked in a safe and stable manner. Hazardous or prohibited items must not be brought onto our premises or transported as part of our removal services.
Risk Assessment and Hazard Control
We carry out regular risk assessments to identify and manage hazards associated with storage and removal activities, including manual handling, use of trolleys and lifting equipment, vehicle movements, working at height, slips, trips and falls, and fire safety. Where risks cannot be eliminated, they are reduced to the lowest reasonably practicable level through a combination of safe systems of work, equipment controls and staff training.
Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, equipment or layout, or following an incident or near miss.
Manual Handling and Removal Activities
Manual handling is a key part of both storage and removal work. To minimise the risk of injury, we provide appropriate handling aids such as trolleys, sack trucks and pallet equipment, and ensure that larger or heavier items are moved by trained personnel using safe techniques.
All staff engaged in removal or lifting activities receive instruction in correct posture, team lifting, load assessment and the use of mechanical aids. Where a load is too heavy or awkward to be handled safely, employees are required to seek assistance or alternative solutions rather than put themselves or others at risk.
Safe Use of Equipment and Vehicles
All equipment used in storage and removal services, including lifting devices, trolleys and vehicles, will be maintained in a safe condition and inspected at appropriate intervals. Only authorised and trained personnel may operate specialist equipment.
Vehicle movements in loading bays and on site are managed to reduce the risk of collision, with attention to speed limits, reversing procedures and the segregation of pedestrians and vehicles wherever reasonably practicable.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We maintain fire safety arrangements designed to protect people and property. These include fire detection and alarm systems, clearly marked escape routes, suitable fire extinguishers and regular checks of fire safety equipment. Staff are trained in emergency procedures, including evacuation routes, muster points and the operation of alarms.
Customers and visitors must familiarise themselves with emergency exit signage and follow the instructions of staff immediately in the event of an alarm or other emergency situation.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Details will be recorded and, where appropriate, investigated to determine root causes and implement corrective actions. Our aim is to learn from incidents and prevent recurrence rather than assign blame.
Where required, relevant incidents will be notified to the appropriate authorities in line with legal requirements.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide employees with information, instruction and training appropriate to their roles and responsibilities. This includes induction training, job specific training for storage and removal tasks, and refresher training when necessary. Supervisors ensure that staff understand and follow safe systems of work and that new or temporary staff receive suitable guidance.
Safety information, procedures and rules are communicated clearly and reviewed regularly. Changes are brought to the attention of staff, customers and contractors where relevant.
Contractors and Third Parties
Contractors working on our premises, or assisting with removal and transport activities, are expected to comply with this Health and Safety Policy and any site specific rules. We will provide relevant information about known risks and expect contractors to manage the safety of their own employees in accordance with legal requirements and good practice.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
We are committed to improving our health and safety performance on an ongoing basis. This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, adequate and effective for our storage and removal operations. Revisions may be made in response to changes in legislation, industry standards, business activities or lessons learned from incidents and feedback.
Storage West Kensington expects everyone associated with our operations to support the implementation of this policy and to contribute positively to a safe and healthy working and storage environment.
