Storage East Bedfont Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitments, standards, and responsibilities adopted by Storage East Bedfont in relation to the safety and wellbeing of employees, contractors, customers, and visitors. It applies to all activities taking place on our premises and through our storage and removal-related services, including handling, lifting, loading, and transportation of goods.
Health and Safety Objectives
Storage East Bedfont is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Our objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, comply with relevant health and safety legislation and industry standards, and promote continual improvement in our safety performance. Safety is considered alongside service quality, efficiency, and customer care in all business decisions.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this policy. Management ensures that appropriate resources, systems, and procedures are in place to manage health and safety risks. This includes conducting and reviewing risk assessments, providing suitable equipment, organising training and supervision, and ensuring that incidents are properly reported and investigated.
Managers and supervisors must ensure that safe systems of work are followed, that staff are aware of their duties, and that any breaches of safety procedures are addressed promptly. They are expected to lead by example, demonstrating visible commitment to safe working practices in storage areas, loading zones, vehicle access routes, and office environments.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees have 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 safety instructions, use equipment correctly, and co operate with management to enable all legal and policy obligations to be met.
Employees are required to report hazards, near misses, accidents, and unsafe conditions without delay so that prompt corrective action can be taken. They must not interfere with or misuse any equipment, devices, or systems provided for health, safety, or welfare. Where tasks involve manual handling or working in and around removal vehicles, employees must follow the training and guidance provided.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage East Bedfont undertakes regular risk assessments covering storage units, loading bays, vehicle movements, access routes, lifting and handling activities, and any ancillary services related to removals and transport. These assessments identify significant hazards and appropriate control measures, which may include restricted access, use of mechanical aids, signage, traffic management, and personal protective equipment.
Safe systems of work are developed, documented where necessary, and communicated to employees and contractors. These systems are reviewed periodically, particularly after any incident, change in operations, introduction of new equipment, or expansion of services. Our aim is to minimise risks associated with heavy lifting, stacking, use of trolleys, operating in confined areas, and interaction between pedestrians and vehicles.
Manual Handling and Lifting Operations
Because storage and removal services involve frequent handling of goods, special attention is paid to manual handling risks. Wherever reasonably practicable, mechanical aids such as sack trucks, trolleys, and pallet equipment are used to reduce the need for manual lifting. Employees receive guidance on safe lifting techniques, load assessment, and avoiding overreaching and twisting.
Loads must be stable, secure, and within safe weight limits for the individual or team involved. When handling customers possessions as part of removal or loading assistance, employees must follow safe handling procedures and ensure that items are stacked securely to prevent falls, crushing, or obstruction of fire exits and walkways.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
Good housekeeping is essential to maintaining a safe storage and removals environment. Aisles, corridors, stairways, and loading areas must be kept clear of obstructions at all times. Spills are to be cleaned up immediately, and waste material must be disposed of in designated areas.
Storage East Bedfont maintains adequate lighting, ventilation, and where relevant, temperature control to help ensure safe working conditions. Emergency exits and routes are clearly marked and must never be blocked by goods, packing materials, or removal equipment. Regular inspections are carried out to identify and rectify unsafe conditions, including damage to racking, fixtures, or access equipment.
Equipment, Vehicles, and Maintenance
All equipment and tools, including trolleys, lifts, access platforms, and loading equipment used for storage and removal activities, must be maintained in safe working order. Any defect must be reported immediately, and faulty equipment must be taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Where vehicles are used in connection with removals and transport of goods, Storage East Bedfont ensures that they are properly maintained, loaded safely, and operated only by competent, authorised personnel. Vehicle movements on site are managed to reduce risk to pedestrians, with attention to speed limits, designated loading areas, and reversing practices.
Information, Instruction, and Training
Employees receive appropriate information, instruction, and training relevant to their roles. This includes induction training, safe manual handling techniques, emergency procedures, reporting of incidents, and any specific tasks linked to storage and removal operations.
Training is refreshed at reasonable intervals and whenever there is a significant change in work processes, equipment, or legislation. Records of training are maintained, and additional guidance is provided when new employees, contractors, or temporary staff join the business.
Contractors, Customers, and Visitors
Contractors working on site must comply with this policy and any additional site rules. They are required to assess risks arising from their activities and implement appropriate control measures. Storage East Bedfont provides relevant safety information about site hazards, access restrictions, and emergency procedures.
Customers and visitors are expected to act responsibly while on the premises, follow safety signage and instructions, and take care when handling or moving their own goods. They must not bring prohibited or dangerous items into storage, and they should immediately alert staff to any hazards they notice.
Emergency Preparedness and First Aid
Storage East Bedfont maintains procedures for fire safety, evacuation, and other foreseeable emergencies. Fire detection and equipment such as extinguishers are installed and maintained in line with applicable requirements. Emergency exits are clearly signed, and evacuation routes are kept unobstructed.
First aid provisions are available on site, and nominated personnel are trained to provide basic assistance until professional medical help is obtained. All incidents, including minor injuries and near misses, are recorded and reviewed to identify corrective and preventive measures.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
Compliance with this Health and Safety Policy is monitored through inspections, audits, incident analysis, and consultation with employees. Where shortcomings are identified, corrective action is taken promptly.
This policy is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains suitable, adequate, and effective for the nature and scale of our storage and removal related operations. Revisions may be made in response to changes in legislation, guidance, industry practice, or business activities.
By implementing this Health and Safety Policy, Storage East Bedfont aims to provide customers, employees, and visitors with a safe and well managed environment that supports secure storage, careful handling of goods, and reliable removal services.
