Storage Aldwych Health and Safety Policy
Storage Aldwych is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors, visitors, and others who may be affected by our storage and removal activities. We recognise our duties under applicable health and safety legislation and aim to prevent accidents, injuries, and damage to property through effective planning, control, and continuous improvement.
Policy Aims
The purpose of this policy is to set out our objectives and general arrangements for managing health and safety in all areas of our storage and removals operations. Our aims are to:
Promote a positive health and safety culture throughout the organisation.
Identify hazards arising from our activities and implement suitable control measures.
Provide safe and secure storage facilities, including safe access and egress.
Ensure that removal and handling activities are planned and carried out safely.
Reduce risks associated with manual handling, vehicle movements, and use of equipment.
Provide appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision for all employees.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage active participation.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Aldwych has overall responsibility for health and safety performance and the implementation of this policy. Management will:
Ensure that suitable resources are made available for health and safety arrangements.
Set clear health and safety objectives and review progress regularly.
Ensure risk assessments are carried out, kept up to date, and communicated to those affected.
Monitor compliance with legal requirements and recognised best practice.
Review this policy periodically and following any significant changes in operations.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Storage Aldwych share responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace. Employees are required to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and safe systems of work provided.
Use equipment, machinery, and vehicles only when authorised and trained to do so.
Wear any personal protective equipment supplied and use it correctly.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses, hazards, or unsafe conditions promptly.
Cooperate fully with health and safety investigations, training, and emergency drills.
Safe Storage Environment
Storage Aldwych will ensure that storage facilities and areas used to receive, store, and dispatch goods are maintained in a safe condition. This includes:
Keeping walkways, staircases, and emergency exits clear and well lit.
Providing adequate signage for directions, hazards, and emergency procedures.
Maintaining good housekeeping standards to reduce slips, trips, and falls.
Inspecting racking, shelving, and storage units regularly to ensure structural integrity.
Ensuring that loads are stored securely and within stated weight limits.
Managing environmental conditions, such as ventilation and lighting, to support safe working.
Removals and Handling Operations
As part of our removal and storage services, Storage Aldwych undertakes activities involving the handling, movement, and transportation of items. To control the risks associated with these operations, we will:
Plan removal activities in advance, assessing routes, access points, and potential hazards.
Ensure that manual handling tasks are avoided where reasonably practicable by using mechanical aids.
Provide manual handling training so employees understand safe lifting techniques and load limits.
Ensure vehicles and removal equipment are suitable, properly maintained, and inspected regularly.
Control loading and unloading operations to prevent falls, crush injuries, and unstable loads.
Ensure that customers are informed of any relevant safety instructions relating to access, parking, or loading areas.
Contractors and Visitors
Storage Aldwych will manage the health and safety of contractors and visitors on our premises. We will:
Provide visitors with appropriate safety information and directions upon arrival.
Ensure contractors are competent and supplied with relevant site safety rules.
Coordinate activities with contractors to prevent risks arising from overlapping work.
Monitor contractor performance and take action where safety standards are not met.
Risk Assessment and Control
Risk assessments will be carried out for all significant hazards arising from our storage and removals operations. This includes manual handling, working at height where applicable, use of vehicles, handling hazardous substances provided by customers, fire risk, and security. Control measures will be implemented following the principles of elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment where necessary.
Training and Supervision
Storage Aldwych is committed to ensuring that all employees are competent to carry out their work safely. We will:
Provide induction training covering general safety rules, emergency procedures, and reporting processes.
Deliver specific training relating to manual handling, operation of equipment, and vehicle use.
Provide refresher training when required, and when processes or equipment change.
Ensure appropriate levels of supervision, particularly for new or inexperienced staff.
Emergency Preparedness
We will maintain clear and effective procedures for dealing with emergencies, including fire, accidents, and serious incidents. These arrangements include:
Displaying emergency instructions and evacuation routes within the premises.
Providing appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment and maintaining it regularly.
Appointing and training fire wardens and first aiders where required.
Conducting emergency drills at reasonable intervals and reviewing outcomes.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported promptly. Storage Aldwych will record and, where necessary, investigate these events to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Findings from investigations will be shared with relevant staff and used to improve procedures and training.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
Storage Aldwych will monitor health and safety performance through inspections, audits, incident statistics, and employee feedback. This policy and associated procedures will be reviewed regularly, and whenever there are changes in our activities, to ensure they remain effective and up to date. We are committed to continuous improvement of our health and safety management to support safe, reliable storage and removals services.
This Health and Safety Policy is endorsed by senior management and communicated to all employees. It is available to customers, contractors, and other interested parties upon request.
