Storage Welling Health and Safety Policy
Storage Welling is committed to providing safe, healthy and secure conditions for all employees, customers, contractors and visitors who access our storage facilities and removal services. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with storage operations, goods handling and removals, including collection, loading, transportation and delivery.
The aim of this policy is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. Health and safety is a core part of our service standards and is integrated into our day to day activities across storage and moving operations.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Welling has overall responsibility for ensuring that this Health and Safety Policy is implemented, maintained and reviewed regularly. Management will provide appropriate resources, information and support to achieve safe working practices and continuous improvement.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that staff follow safe systems of work, receive the required training, are provided with suitable equipment and are aware of their individual responsibilities. They must lead by example, report hazards promptly and take action to correct unsafe conditions or behaviour.
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. This includes colleagues, customers, visitors and members of the public encountered during removal and delivery work.
Employees must follow all safety instructions, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment, and report hazards, near misses, accidents or unsafe practices without delay. Employees are expected to cooperate fully with all health and safety procedures, risk assessments and training activities.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Welling carries out risk assessments for activities relating to storage units, loading bays, vehicle operations, lifting and carrying, use of trolleys and handling equipment, and customer access to the premises. Risk assessments also cover removal services, including packing, loading, transport, unloading and work at both origin and destination addresses.
Safe systems of work and method statements are developed from these assessments and communicated to all relevant staff. Controls may include planning routes, using mechanical aids for heavy items, team lifting procedures, securing loads in vehicles, and limiting manual handling wherever practicable. These controls are regularly reviewed and updated when new risks are identified or work practices change.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of storage and removal activity. Storage Welling minimises manual lifting by promoting the use of trolleys, sack trucks, dollies, ramps and other handling aids. Items that are too heavy or awkward for one person will be moved by a team or with mechanical assistance whenever possible.
Employees receive guidance on correct lifting techniques, posture, safe team handling and the need to assess each load before attempting to move it. Equipment such as trolleys, straps and protective materials is inspected regularly and taken out of use if found to be defective or unsafe.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Storage Welling ensures that vehicles used in connection with storage and removal services are maintained, inspected and operated safely. Loads are secured appropriately to prevent movement, crushing, or damage during transit. Drivers are required to operate vehicles safely, follow traffic laws and consider the safety of pedestrians and other road users at all times.
Parking, loading and unloading are planned with consideration for visibility, traffic flow and safe access to premises. Staff are instructed to avoid unsafe lifting from road level, work around blind corners, or manoeuvres that place people at unnecessary risk.
Customer and Visitor Safety
We are committed to providing a safe environment for customers and visitors accessing our storage facilities or attending premises where we carry out removals. Clear signage, instructions and guidance are provided to help customers move items safely and to highlight any restricted or high risk areas.
Walkways, loading areas and common spaces are kept as clear as practicable to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls. Where appropriate, customers may be advised on safe loading of their own vehicles, the use of trolleys, and the correct stacking of items within storage units.
Housekeeping, Fire Safety and Security
Good housekeeping is essential for safe operations. Storage Welling maintains storage corridors, stairways, loading bays and vehicle access routes free from unnecessary obstruction. Waste, discarded packaging and damaged items are removed regularly and disposed of using safe methods.
Fire safety measures are in place at storage sites, including suitable detection systems and clearly identified escape routes. Staff are instructed on alarm procedures and the safe evacuation of buildings. Security arrangements help control entry, reduce unauthorised access and protect both people and property.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive appropriate induction and job specific health and safety training before undertaking tasks that may pose a risk. Topics may include manual handling, use of handling equipment, load security, safe driving practices, working at customer premises and emergency procedures.
Additional refresher training is provided where needed, or when equipment, processes or legislation change. Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure that training is followed in practice and that support is provided where tasks are complex or new.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near misses and hazardous conditions must be reported as soon as practicable. Storage Welling records and investigates these events to determine root causes and to identify corrective actions that can prevent recurrence.
Lessons learned from investigations are communicated to staff and, where relevant, incorporated into revised procedures, training materials or equipment selection. We encourage an open reporting culture so that potential issues are raised early and addressed effectively.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Welling values the input of employees in improving health and safety performance. Staff are encouraged to raise suggestions, highlight potential hazards and participate in reviews of working methods. Feedback from customers and contractors is also considered when updating procedures and assessing risk control measures.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable for our storage and removal activities and reflects any changes in operations or applicable requirements. Our goal is the ongoing improvement of health, safety and welfare for everyone involved with Storage Welling.
