Health and Safety Policy for Storage St Pancras
This Health and Safety policy sets out how Storage St Pancras manages and promotes a safe and healthy working environment for employees, contractors, visitors and customers. It applies to all activities carried out on our premises and to removal and storage services delivered off site.
Policy Statement
Storage St Pancras is committed to maintaining the highest reasonably practicable standards of health, safety and welfare. We aim to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures in all aspects of storage and removal operations.
Health and safety is an integral part of our business planning and decision-making. We expect all employees and contractors to share this commitment and to act responsibly at all times.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that adequate resources, systems and supervision are in place. Management will review this policy on a regular basis and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, premises or legal requirements.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for:
Ensuring that work is properly planned and controlled, with appropriate risk assessments completed and control measures implemented. Checking that staff receive suitable training and are competent for their roles. Monitoring safe working practices in storage areas, loading bays and vehicles. Reporting, recording and investigating accidents, incidents and near misses, and implementing corrective actions.
Employees are responsible for:
Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Following all safety procedures, instructions, training and signage. Using equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly. Reporting hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents and near misses to management without delay. Cooperating with management to enable compliance with health and safety obligations.
Contractors working on site must follow our safety rules and cooperate with our staff to ensure that their activities do not put anyone at risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage St Pancras conducts suitable and sufficient risk assessments for key activities, including manual handling of goods, operation of vehicles, use of handling equipment, storage of items at height, access to storage units, and cleaning and maintenance tasks.
Identified risks are controlled through safe systems of work, written procedures and method statements, which are communicated to staff through training and supervision. Risk assessments and procedures are reviewed following incidents, changes in operations or new equipment.
Staff Training and Competence
We provide induction and ongoing training to ensure that all employees understand their health and safety responsibilities and are competent to perform their duties safely. This includes, as appropriate:
Manual handling techniques relevant to lifting, carrying and stacking items during removal and storage work. Safe use of trolleys, sack trucks, pallet trucks and other handling aids. Vehicle safety, loading and unloading procedures for removal and transport services. Emergency procedures, including fire evacuation and first aid arrangements. Use, inspection and care of personal protective equipment.
Training needs are reviewed regularly and when new risks, procedures or equipment are introduced.
Safe Handling, Storage and Removal Operations
Our removal and storage activities are planned to minimise risk to staff, customers and the public. This includes:
Assessing access routes, stairways, lifts and loading areas before moving goods. Using appropriate equipment for heavy or awkward loads and team lifting techniques where necessary. Ensuring that vehicles are loaded securely and within safe weight limits. Keeping walkways, loading bays and storage aisles clear of obstruction and trip hazards. Stacking items in a stable and secure manner, with particular care for goods stored at height.
We do not accept for storage items that pose unacceptable safety risks, and clearly communicate to customers the types of goods that are restricted or prohibited.
Workplace Environment and Welfare
Storage St Pancras maintains premises in a clean, orderly and safe condition. We aim to provide adequate lighting, ventilation, access and egress, as well as suitable welfare facilities including toilets and washing facilities.
Floors, stairs and external areas are kept in a good state of repair and, so far as reasonably practicable, free from slip and trip hazards. Spillages are cleaned promptly and damaged fixtures or fittings are reported and addressed as soon as practicable.
Equipment and Vehicle Safety
All work equipment used in storage and removal operations, including trolleys, handling devices and any lifting equipment, is selected, maintained and inspected to ensure it is safe and suitable for use.
Company vehicles used for removal and transport services are maintained in roadworthy condition, serviced regularly and subject to routine checks. Drivers are expected to comply with road traffic rules, follow safe loading practices and report any defects immediately.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We maintain fire safety measures appropriate to our premises and activities. This includes fire detection and alarm systems where required, clearly marked escape routes, fire extinguishers suited to the environment and regular checks of emergency exits.
Employees receive instruction on evacuation procedures, assembly points and how to raise the alarm. Fire drills and emergency procedure reviews are carried out at appropriate intervals.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, incidents and near misses occurring in connection with our storage and removal activities must be reported to management as soon as possible. Accurate records are maintained in an incident log.
Incidents are investigated to determine root causes and to identify improvements to prevent recurrence. Where required, incidents are reported to the relevant enforcing authorities in line with applicable legal requirements.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage St Pancras encourages open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safe working practices.
This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure that it remains effective, reflects current operations and supports our commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety performance.
