Storage Coulsdon Health and Safety Policy
Storage Coulsdon is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage, removals and related services, and explains the responsibilities we all share in maintaining a safe workplace.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and promote a culture where safety is an integral part of every activity. We aim to identify hazards, assess risks and implement effective control measures throughout our storage facilities, offices, vehicles and customer premises where we undertake work.
We will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards, and seek to continuously improve our performance through regular monitoring, review and staff engagement.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Coulsdon holds overall responsibility for health and safety. This includes ensuring that appropriate resources, equipment, training and supervision are provided, and that suitable procedures are in place to control risks associated with handling goods, operating vehicles, using equipment and accessing storage areas.
Managers and supervisors must lead by example, promote safe working practices, carry out and review risk assessments, investigate accidents and near misses, and take prompt action where improvements are needed. They must also ensure that employees understand this policy and any site-specific rules that apply to the work they undertake.
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 must follow training and instructions, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment, and report hazards, defects, accidents and near misses without delay.
Employees must not misuse or interfere with any safety equipment or systems. Where they are unsure about how to carry out a task safely, they must seek guidance from a supervisor before proceeding.
Customer and Visitor Safety
We are committed to protecting customers and visitors while they are on our premises or interacting with our removal teams. We take all reasonably practicable steps to maintain clear walkways, safe access routes and well-organised storage areas. Signage will be used where necessary to highlight restricted zones, vehicle movements, trip hazards or other significant risks.
Customers and visitors are expected to follow instructions from Storage Coulsdon staff, remain within designated areas, and avoid entering operational zones such as loading bays, vehicle manoeuvring areas or staff-only storage sections, unless specifically authorised and supervised.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Coulsdon will identify and assess the risks associated with our activities, including handling and stacking goods, operating lifting and moving equipment, driving and loading vehicles, and accessing storage units. Where necessary, written risk assessments and method statements will be produced and communicated to relevant staff.
We will implement and maintain safe systems of work that are appropriate for our operations. These may include manual handling procedures, vehicle loading and unloading protocols, control of access to higher-risk areas, use of suitable tools and equipment, and clear rules regarding maximum load limits and stacking heights.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Our work frequently involves the movement of furniture, cartons and other items associated with removals and storage. To minimise the risk of injury, manual handling tasks will be assessed and, where practicable, supported by mechanical aids such as trolleys or pallet trucks. Staff will receive training in safe lifting techniques and team handling methods.
All equipment used for lifting, moving, securing or storing goods will be selected, maintained and inspected in line with legal requirements and manufacturer guidance. Faulty or damaged equipment must be taken out of service and reported immediately.
Vehicle and Transport Safety
Our vehicles, including those used for removals and transport of stored goods, will be maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow company driving policies, and comply with road traffic laws at all times.
Loading and unloading activities will be planned to minimise risks from moving vehicles, falling objects and slips or trips. Loads will be secured appropriately, and access to loading areas will be controlled to prevent unauthorised or unsafe entry.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Coulsdon will maintain suitable fire safety measures, which may include alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting and clearly marked escape routes. Staff will be instructed on the actions to take in the event of a fire or other emergency, including evacuation procedures and assembly points.
Customers and visitors must follow all emergency instructions issued by staff, evacuate promptly when requested, and refrain from using lifts if advised not to do so. Fire exits and escape routes must remain unobstructed at all times.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide our employees with appropriate health and safety training relevant to their roles. This may include induction training, manual handling, safe operation of equipment, fire safety, and specific training for working at customer premises. Refresher training will be given as needed to ensure knowledge is maintained.
Information on hazards, safe working practices and emergency arrangements will be communicated clearly. Supervision levels will be set according to the nature of the tasks, the level of risk and the experience of the staff involved.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, dangerous occurrences and near misses must be reported using our internal procedures. Storage Coulsdon will investigate these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Where required by law, certain incidents will be reported to the relevant enforcing authorities. Records will be maintained and reviewed to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage open communication about health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in consultations related to health and safety arrangements. Feedback from customers is also welcomed where it highlights potential risks or opportunities to improve our practices.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice, our operations or lessons learned from incident investigations. The latest version will be made available to employees, customers and other interested parties upon request.
By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Storage Coulsdon aims to provide a safe and secure environment for all those who use or come into contact with our storage and removal services.
