Storage Primrose Hill Health and Safety Policy
Storage Primrose Hill 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 activities, handling and moving goods, and the day to day operation of our facilities and removal services.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting proportionate controls in place. We aim to continuously improve our health and safety performance through training, supervision, monitoring and regular review.
Senior management is responsible for ensuring that the necessary resources, equipment and systems are in place to maintain high standards of health and safety across all storage units, loading areas, vehicles and offices.
Legal Compliance and Standards
Storage Primrose Hill will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. We will keep up to date with changes in regulations governing storage facilities, lifting and handling operations, workplace transport, fire safety and occupational health, and incorporate those requirements into our procedures.
Responsibilities
Health and safety is a shared responsibility:
Management responsibilities include providing a safe workplace, suitable equipment, clear procedures, and competent supervision. Managers will ensure risk assessments are completed, regularly reviewed and that control measures are effectively implemented.
Employee responsibilities include following safety instructions, using equipment correctly, reporting hazards or incidents promptly and cooperating with all health and safety procedures, including training and emergency drills.
Customers, visitors and contractors must comply with site rules, safety signage and instructions given by our staff while on the premises or while our teams are collecting or delivering goods.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We systematically assess the risks associated with our operations, including storage activities, lifting and carrying, the use of trolleys and mechanical aids, vehicle movements, working at height and handling bulky or heavy items during removal and delivery work.
Where significant risks are identified, we implement safe systems of work. These include method statements for moving and loading, limits on manual handling weights, safe stacking heights for stored goods, and designated walkways and loading zones to separate people from vehicles.
Manual Handling and Moving Goods
Manual handling is a core part of both storage and removal services. To minimise the risk of strains, sprains and other injuries, we provide staff with training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, use of trolleys and use of other handling equipment.
Staff must always assess the weight, size and stability of items before moving them, and should not attempt to lift or carry anything beyond their capabilities. Where necessary, mechanical aids or additional personnel will be used.
Workplace Transport and Vehicle Safety
Vehicle movements present a significant risk in storage yards and at customer premises. We establish clear procedures for the safe movement of vehicles, loading and unloading, and the use of reversing guides where required.
Drivers and porters must follow speed limits, parking rules and loading instructions. Vehicles must be kept in good working order, with defects reported immediately so that corrective action can be taken.
Slips, Trips and Falls
We take practical steps to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls in storage aisles, loading bays and office areas. This includes keeping walkways clear, cleaning up spills promptly, maintaining good lighting and ensuring that floor surfaces remain in good condition.
All staff must maintain good housekeeping standards and must not leave obstacles, wrapping materials or equipment in walkways or stairwells.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire safety is a key priority in storage environments. Storage Primrose Hill maintains fire detection and alarm systems appropriate to the nature of our premises and the goods stored. Clearly signed escape routes and assembly points are provided, and must be kept clear at all times.
Employees receive instruction in fire safety procedures, including evacuation routes and the location and basic use of fire fighting equipment where appropriate. Fire drills are held periodically to ensure everyone understands what to do in an emergency.
Hazardous Substances and Prohibited Items
To protect the health and safety of everyone on site, certain items and substances may not be stored in our units or transported by our teams. These include flammable, explosive, toxic, corrosive or otherwise hazardous materials, as well as perishable or illegal items.
We clearly communicate our list of prohibited items to customers, and reserve the right to refuse to handle or store goods that present a risk to people, property or the environment.
Information, Instruction and Training
Storage Primrose Hill provides employees with adequate information, instruction and training to enable them to work safely. This includes induction training for new starters, refresher training for existing staff, and task specific training for those involved in higher risk activities such as vehicle operations, manual handling and the use of lifting aids.
Training needs are reviewed regularly and whenever there are changes to our operations, equipment or procedures.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported without delay. We maintain records of all such events and investigate them to identify underlying causes and implement corrective actions. Lessons learned from incidents are shared as appropriate and used to improve our procedures and training.
Consultation and Communication
We encourage open communication about health and safety. Employees are consulted on matters that affect their safety and are encouraged to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in developing safer ways of working.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Our health and safety performance is monitored through inspections, audits, incident reviews and feedback from staff and customers. This policy and the associated procedures will be reviewed regularly, and whenever significant changes occur in our operations or in relevant legislation.
Storage Primrose Hill is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety, ensuring that our storage and removal services are delivered in a way that protects people, property and the wider community.
