Health and Safety Policy for Storage Malden Rushett
Storage Malden Rushett is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, contractors, visitors, and customers. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks across our storage facilities and removal operations, including handling, loading, transportation, and unloading of goods.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent accidents, work-related injuries, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards and applying effective control measures. We aim to integrate health and safety considerations into every aspect of our storage and removal services so that work is carried out safely, efficiently, and with minimal risk.
This policy applies to all employees and contractors engaged in storage and removal activities, including driving, lifting, packing, and operating within warehouses, yards, and customer premises.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for ensuring that suitable arrangements, resources, and competent personnel are in place to implement this policy. This includes:
Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out and reviewed regularly for storage facilities, vehicles, and removal activities.
Providing appropriate equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment where required.
Maintaining vehicles, lifting aids, and storage equipment in safe working order through regular inspection and servicing.
Ensuring employees receive suitable and sufficient health and safety training and supervision.
Reviewing health and safety performance and updating this policy as necessary.
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 actions or omissions. Employees are expected to:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided.
Use equipment, vehicles, and lifting aids correctly and report any defects immediately.
Report all incidents, near misses, hazards, and unsafe conditions to management without delay.
Cooperate with investigations, risk assessments, and health and safety improvement measures.
Refrain from horseplay or any behaviour that could endanger themselves or others.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We conduct risk assessments covering our storage operations, removal services, and associated activities. These assessments consider hazards such as manual handling, vehicle movements, slips and trips, working at height, use of equipment, and interaction with customers and the public.
Where risks cannot be eliminated, we implement safe systems of work and control measures, such as route planning, load securing procedures, designated walkways, and appropriate use of trolleys, ramps, and lifting devices. Risk assessments and procedures are regularly reviewed and updated when operations or equipment change, or following incidents.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core element of our removal and storage activities. To reduce the risk of injury, we:
Assess loads and the environment before lifting or moving items.
Provide training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and use of handling aids.
Use mechanical aids such as sack trucks, trolleys, and lifting platforms where practicable.
Avoid unnecessary lifting by planning loading sequences and using suitable packing methods.
Do not permit individuals to lift items beyond their capability or perform unsafe manoeuvres.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Safe operation of vehicles is essential to our removal services. Our commitment includes:
Ensuring that drivers are competent, appropriately licensed, and medically fit to drive.
Carrying out pre-use checks on vehicles, including brakes, tyres, lights, mirrors, and load securing systems.
Planning routes to minimise risk and allowing adequate time to complete journeys without speeding or unsafe driving.
Ensuring loads are evenly distributed, secured, and within weight limits.
Implementing safe driving practices, including compliance with road traffic laws and use of seat belts.
Storage Facility Safety
We manage our storage sites to provide a safe environment for employees and visitors. Measures include:
Maintaining good housekeeping to avoid slips, trips, and falls.
Ensuring lighting is adequate in storage areas, loading bays, and access routes.
Securing racking and shelving, ensuring they are used within design limits and inspected periodically.
Implementing safe access and egress, including clear signage and unobstructed emergency exits.
Managing fire and emergency procedures, including alarms, extinguishers, and evacuation arrangements.
Equipment and Maintenance
All work equipment, including trolleys, lifting aids, and storage systems, is selected and maintained to be safe and suitable. We:
Inspect equipment at appropriate intervals and remove any defective items from use until repaired or replaced.
Ensure that only trained and authorised personnel use specialised equipment.
Follow manufacturers instructions and safe operating procedures.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We provide employees with appropriate information, instruction, and training relevant to their roles. This includes induction training for new starters, task-specific training for removal and storage duties, and refresher training where required.
Supervisors monitor working practices, provide guidance, and ensure that safe systems of work are followed. Additional training is provided when new equipment, procedures, or risks are introduced.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, dangerous occurrences, and near misses must be reported as soon as possible to management. We keep records of such events and investigate them to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
Lessons learned from incidents are shared with relevant staff and, where appropriate, used to review risk assessments and procedures to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Contractors, Customers, and Visitors
We take reasonable steps to ensure that contractors working on our premises follow safe practices and comply with our health and safety requirements. Customers and visitors are given appropriate information about any hazards that may affect them and are expected to follow safety instructions while on our premises or when interacting with our removal teams.
Monitoring and Review
We monitor health and safety performance through inspections, audits, and review of incident data. This policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in operations, legislation, or best practice. Updates are communicated to employees and, where relevant, to contractors.
By working together and following this Health and Safety policy, Storage Malden Rushett aims to maintain a safe, professional environment for all those involved in or affected by our storage and removal services.
