Storage Surrey Health and Safety Policy
Storage Surrey is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors and contractors. This policy outlines our approach to managing health and safety across our storage facilities and associated removal and transport services. We aim to prevent accidents, work-related ill health and damage to property through effective planning, training and supervision.
Our Health and Safety Commitments
We will take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that our activities are carried out safely and without risk to health. This includes our storage operations, handling and moving of goods, driving and loading of vehicles, and any related administrative tasks. We seek to continually improve our health and safety performance and to comply with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.
Health and safety is an integral part of the way we operate. Managers and employees at every level are required to give it equal priority alongside service quality and customer care.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this policy. Management will:
Define clear health and safety responsibilities for managers, supervisors and employees. Ensure appropriate risk assessments are carried out and regularly reviewed. Provide and maintain safe premises, plant and equipment, including storage units, vehicles, handling equipment and security systems. Ensure that employees receive suitable information, instruction, training and supervision. Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses to identify causes and implement corrective actions. Allocate adequate resources to manage health and safety effectively.
Managers at each site are responsible for day-to-day health and safety arrangements, including ensuring that staff follow safe systems of work and that any hazards are quickly identified and controlled.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Employees must:
Follow all safety procedures and instructions provided by Storage Surrey. Use vehicles, equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Keep work areas, storage aisles and loading spaces tidy and free of unnecessary obstructions. Report accidents, incidents, near misses and any health and safety concerns to their manager without delay. Cooperate with any health surveillance, training or emergency drills organised by the company.
No employee will be disciplined for raising genuine health and safety concerns or for refusing to undertake work that they reasonably believe presents a serious and imminent danger.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments to identify hazards and determine appropriate control measures for all key activities, including storage, manual handling, loading and unloading, driving, working at height and the movement of vehicles on site. These assessments are reviewed regularly and whenever work practices, equipment or layout change.
Safe systems of work and operating procedures are developed from these assessments and communicated to employees. Staff are expected to familiarise themselves with and follow these procedures at all times.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant part of our removal and storage operations. To reduce the risk of injury, Storage Surrey will:
Provide appropriate handling equipment such as trolleys, sack trucks and lifting aids. Train employees in safe lifting techniques and the correct use of equipment. Plan jobs so that heavy or bulky items are handled by sufficient personnel and, where possible, by mechanical means. Avoid unnecessary manual lifting wherever reasonably practicable.
Only trained and authorised personnel may operate specific equipment such as forklifts or other mechanical lifting aids. All equipment is maintained in safe working order, and pre-use checks must be carried out before operation.
Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety
Our vehicles and drivers are essential to our removal and storage services. To manage transport risks, we will:
Ensure vehicles are roadworthy, regularly inspected and maintained. Provide guidance and training for drivers on safe loading, securing of loads, route planning and defensive driving. Control vehicle movements on site through designated routes, speed limits and signage. Ensure loading and unloading activities are planned and supervised, particularly where customers or visitors may be present.
Drivers must comply with traffic laws, report any defects or incidents immediately and never drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that could impair performance.
Site Safety, Housekeeping and Security
We aim to keep all storage areas, offices and yards clean, well lit and well organised. Good housekeeping is essential to avoid slips, trips, falls and other preventable accidents. Walkways and fire exits must be kept clear at all times, and any spillages must be dealt with promptly and safely.
Access to storage areas may be controlled to protect both safety and security. Visitors and customers must follow instructions given by staff and respect signage, restricted zones and vehicle movement areas.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Surrey maintains fire risk assessments for its premises and provides appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment. Emergency routes and exits are kept clear and clearly signed. Fire drills are carried out periodically, and employees receive training in emergency procedures.
In an emergency, all persons on site must follow the instructions of staff and proceed calmly to the designated assembly point. No one may re-enter a building until it is declared safe by a responsible person.
Health, Welfare and Training
We are committed to supporting the general health and welfare of our team. This includes providing adequate rest facilities, drinking water and sanitary conveniences. Where specific health risks are identified, suitable control measures and, where appropriate, health surveillance will be implemented.
Training is provided on induction and refreshed as necessary. Topics include general health and safety awareness, manual handling, fire safety, use of equipment, site rules and emergency procedures. Additional training is provided for higher-risk roles and for anyone supervising work.
Consultation, Monitoring and Review
Storage Surrey encourages open communication about health and safety matters. Employees are consulted about changes that may affect their safety and are invited to contribute suggestions for improvements.
We monitor performance through inspections, audits, incident reporting and feedback from staff and customers. This policy and related procedures are reviewed regularly and updated when required to reflect changes in legislation, operations or best practice.
By working together and following this policy, we can maintain a safe environment for everyone who uses, visits or works within Storage Surrey and its related removal services.
