Storage Wallington Health and Safety Policy
Storage Wallington is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for employees, contractors, visitors and customers. This policy sets out the principles, responsibilities and arrangements that guide our approach to health and safety across our storage facilities and removal operations.
We recognise our duty to manage risks arising from our activities, including handling and moving goods, operating vehicles, using equipment and maintaining storage environments. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health, and to promote a positive safety culture throughout the business.
Policy Objectives
Our main health and safety objectives are to:
Prevent work-related injuries and ill health by identifying and controlling hazards associated with storage and removal activities.
Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, regulations and approved codes of practice.
Provide safe systems of work for loading, unloading, packing, lifting, carrying and transporting goods.
Ensure that our storage areas, vehicles and equipment are maintained in a safe condition.
Provide adequate information, instruction, training and supervision to enable staff to work safely and competently.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage active participation in improving standards.
Continuously monitor and review our health and safety performance, learning from incidents and near misses.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety within Storage Wallington rests with senior management. Management is responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements, resources and monitoring systems are in place to support effective health and safety management.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy in their areas of control. This includes carrying out risk assessments, communicating safe working procedures, ensuring staff are trained and competent, and addressing safety concerns promptly.
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 are expected to follow safety instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards and cooperate fully with all health and safety measures.
Contractors and visitors are required to cooperate with Storage Wallington’s health and safety arrangements and follow all site rules and instructions given to them.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for key activities, including manual handling, use of lifting equipment, vehicle operations, storage and stacking of goods, and working in confined or elevated spaces. The findings of these assessments are used to develop and implement safe systems of work.
Safe working practices are communicated to employees through induction, training sessions, toolbox talks and written procedures. Areas of particular focus include safe lifting techniques, correct use of trolleys and handling aids, vehicle loading and securing, and safe access to storage units and elevated areas.
Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to equipment, processes or premises. Recommendations from reviews, audits or incident investigations are implemented promptly.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of our removal and storage operations. To minimise the risk of injury, we promote safe lifting methods and, where possible, use mechanical aids, wheeled equipment and team lifting techniques.
All employees engaged in lifting, carrying and moving goods receive suitable training in manual handling. Loads are assessed before movement to ensure they are within safe limits and do not pose a risk due to size, weight or shape.
Equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, lifting aids and vehicle loading systems is inspected and maintained in good working order. Employees are required to check equipment before use and to report any defects immediately so that items can be taken out of service and repaired or replaced.
Vehicles, Driving and Traffic Management
Safe operation of vehicles is essential to the safety of our teams and the public. Only authorised and trained personnel are permitted to drive company vehicles.
We maintain all vehicles in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and relevant road safety requirements. Drivers are expected to carry out basic pre-use checks and to report any defects or concerns promptly.
We plan routes and loading arrangements to minimise risks such as overloading, load movement and manual handling at destinations. At our premises, traffic routes are managed to reduce interaction between vehicles and pedestrians, with designated loading and unloading areas where practicable.
Workplace, Storage and Fire Safety
We maintain our facilities in a clean, orderly and safe condition. This includes keeping walkways and exits clear, managing trip hazards, controlling dust and debris, and ensuring adequate lighting and ventilation.
Goods are stored in a manner that avoids unstable stacks, excessive heights or blocked access. Heavy or bulky items are positioned to minimise the need for hazardous lifting or climbing.
Fire safety arrangements include suitable detection and alarm systems, clearly marked escape routes and fire exits, and accessible fire-fighting equipment. Employees receive guidance on emergency procedures and are informed of assembly points and evacuation arrangements.
Training, Information and Supervision
All new employees receive a health and safety induction covering site rules, emergency procedures, reporting lines and key hazards related to storage and removal work.
Ongoing training is provided for specific tasks and roles, such as manual handling, use of particular equipment or vehicles, and first aid responsibilities. Refresher training is arranged as necessary to ensure skills and knowledge remain current.
Supervisors monitor working practices, provide guidance and support, and intervene if unsafe behaviour or conditions are observed. Additional supervision is provided for new or inexperienced staff until they are assessed as competent.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses and hazardous conditions must be reported without delay to a manager or supervisor. This allows us to respond quickly, provide appropriate care and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.
Incidents are recorded and, where required, reported to the relevant authorities. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement improvements to equipment, procedures or training as appropriate.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage employees to raise health and safety concerns, suggestions and ideas for improvement. Management will listen to and consider all feedback and will communicate any resulting changes to procedures or controls.
Regular reviews of this policy, our risk assessments and our health and safety performance are carried out to ensure they remain suitable and effective. Lessons learned from audits, inspections and incident investigations are used to strengthen our systems and working practices.
This health and safety policy reflects the commitment of Storage Wallington to protecting people and property in all aspects of our storage and removal activities. It is reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, operations or best practice.
