Storage Barnehurst Health and Safety Policy
Storage Barnehurst is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, customers, visitors and contractors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures that guide our day-to-day operations, including our storage facilities and removal and transport activities. We aim to prevent accidents, protect property and minimise risks associated with manual handling, vehicle movements, and the use of equipment and storage units.
Policy Aims and Objectives
Our objective is to manage health and safety in a systematic way so that all foreseeable risks are identified, assessed and either removed or adequately controlled. We strive to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practices. Continuous improvement is central to our approach, and we regularly review our procedures, training and equipment to maintain high standards of safety across storage and removal services.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Storage Barnehurst has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring adequate resources are available. Management will:
Ensure that health and safety considerations are integrated into planning and decision-making for all storage and removal operations. Provide and maintain safe premises, plant and equipment, including vehicles, lifting aids, trolleys and storage systems. Carry out and review risk assessments for activities such as loading, unloading, packing, moving goods, working at height and vehicle movements. Develop safe systems of work and communicate them clearly to all employees. Arrange appropriate training, instruction and supervision so that staff are competent to perform their duties safely. Monitor performance, investigate incidents and implement corrective actions where necessary.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Every member of staff must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety procedures, method statements and instructions given by management or supervisors. Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Report all accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions so that they can be investigated and addressed. Cooperate with training, briefings and audits aimed at improving safety performance.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Barnehurst recognises its duty to safeguard the health and safety of customers and visitors who access our premises or interact with our removal teams. We will:
Provide clear signage for pedestrian routes, vehicle areas, fire exits and emergency equipment. Keep public and customer areas clean, well lit and free from slip, trip and fall hazards. Inform customers of any relevant safety restrictions, such as no-smoking areas or limitations on the type and size of items that may be stored or moved. Ensure that loading and unloading areas are controlled and supervised where necessary.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Formal risk assessments are carried out for tasks associated with storage and removal activities, including manual handling, use of vehicles, working in confined spaces, use of ladders and handling heavy or bulky items. These assessments identify hazards, evaluate risks and specify control measures. Safe systems of work and method statements are developed from these assessments and communicated to staff through training and briefings. Where necessary, additional control measures such as mechanical aids or revised access routes will be introduced to maintain safe operations.
Manual Handling and Lifting Operations
Manual handling is a significant aspect of our storage and removal services. To reduce the likelihood of injury, Storage Barnehurst will:
Provide staff with training in safe lifting techniques and load assessment. Use appropriate mechanical aids, trolleys, sack trucks and lifting equipment where feasible. Plan removal and storage tasks so that heavy or awkward items are handled by sufficient staff or with appropriate lifting aids. Avoid unnecessary lifting by thoughtful route planning and load positioning within vehicles and storage units. Ensure that lifting equipment is maintained, inspected and used only by trained personnel.
Vehicle, Driving and Transport Safety
Safe operation of vehicles and transport is essential to our removal services. We will:
Ensure that vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and suitable for their intended use. Provide drivers and porters with clear instructions on route planning, loading, securing loads and safe driving behaviour. Maintain safe speed limits within premises and enforce designated traffic routes, loading zones and parking areas. Use appropriate restraints, straps and protective materials to secure goods inside vehicles and prevent movement during transit. Reinforce the importance of good communication and coordination between drivers, removal teams and customers at collection and delivery points.
Fire Safety and Emergency Arrangements
Storage Barnehurst has procedures in place to reduce the risk of fire and ensure effective response in emergencies. These include:
Maintaining suitable fire detection and firefighting equipment, and ensuring it is inspected and serviced. Keeping escape routes, exits and access to emergency equipment clear at all times. Providing information to employees on fire prevention, alarm signals, evacuation procedures and assembly points. Conducting periodic drills and reviewing outcomes to improve our emergency response.
Welfare, First Aid and Incident Reporting
We provide appropriate welfare facilities, including access to toilets, washing facilities and rest areas. First aid supplies are maintained on site, and appointed persons or trained first aiders are made available where required. All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported without delay. Incidents are investigated to determine root causes and to implement corrective actions that reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Training, Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Barnehurst recognises that effective health and safety management relies on competent people and open communication. We will provide induction training and task-specific instruction for new employees, as well as refresher training when required. Employees are encouraged to raise safety concerns and suggest improvements. Feedback from staff, customers and contractors, along with the findings from audits and investigations, is used to update this policy and associated procedures. This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant to our storage and removal operations and reflects our commitment to safe, reliable and responsible service delivery.
