Storage Downham Health and Safety Policy
Storage Downham is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, customers, contractors, visitors and any other persons affected by our activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage, handling, removals, transport and related services carried out on our premises or under our control.
Policy Aims and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and interruption to operations by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective controls. We aim to promote a positive safety culture, in which safe working practices are integral to all aspects of our storage and removal services.
We will ensure that health and safety considerations are integrated into our planning, decision-making and day-to-day operations, including the management of storage facilities, vehicle loading and unloading, and any associated moving or lifting activities.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Downham has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are made available to maintain and improve health and safety performance. Management will:
Set clear health and safety objectives and review performance regularly to promote continuous improvement.
Ensure that risk assessments are conducted for all significant activities, including the handling, lifting and transportation of customer goods.
Provide clear instructions, information and supervision to ensure that work is carried out safely and without risks to health.
Ensure that plant, equipment and facilities are properly maintained, inspected and suitable for their intended purpose.
Act promptly to investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, identify underlying causes and implement corrective actions.
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 are required to:
Follow all safety procedures, safe systems of work and instructions provided by Storage Downham.
Use equipment, vehicles and lifting aids correctly and report any defects or concerns to management.
Cooperate with risk assessments, training sessions and safety briefings.
Immediately report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions and any health and safety concerns so that appropriate action can be taken.
Refrain from misusing or interfering with anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Downham recognises its responsibility to ensure that customers, visitors and contractors are not exposed to unnecessary risks when using our storage or removal-related services. We will:
Provide clear signage and guidance on safe access, parking, loading areas and pedestrian walkways.
Control access to operational areas where vehicles, lifting equipment or high storage areas are in use.
Maintain floors, stairs, ramps and access routes in a clean and safe condition, with attention to good housekeeping practices.
Advise customers of any relevant site rules, such as designated loading zones and manual handling precautions when they load or unload their goods.
Safe Storage, Handling and Removals
The nature of our operations involves storage units, movement of goods and, in some cases, removal or transport activities. To manage these safely we will:
Ensure that all shelving, racking and storage structures are suitable for the loads placed on them and checked at appropriate intervals.
Control stacking heights and loading patterns to prevent collapse, falling items or blocked access routes.
Provide manual handling guidance to reduce the risk of strain injuries, including safe lifting techniques and use of trolleys or other aids.
Ensure that vehicle loading and unloading operations are managed to avoid collision, falls from vehicles or contact with moving equipment.
Plan removal and transport activities to minimise manual handling, secure loads properly and protect both staff and customer property.
Workplace Environment and Welfare
Storage Downham will provide and maintain a workplace environment that supports the health, safety and welfare of employees and all persons on site. This includes:
Providing adequate lighting, ventilation and, where appropriate, temperature control in work and storage areas.
Maintaining suitable welfare facilities such as toilets, washing facilities and rest areas.
Ensuring that fire precautions, emergency exits, alarms and firefighting equipment are in place, clearly marked and kept in effective working order.
Displaying clear instructions for emergency procedures, including evacuation arrangements and assembly points.
Training, Information and Supervision
We recognise that competence is essential to safe working. Storage Downham will:
Provide appropriate induction training for new employees, covering site rules, emergency procedures and key risks.
Offer task-specific training for activities such as manual handling, use of lifting equipment, operation of company vehicles and safe stacking of goods.
Ensure that supervisory staff are competent to monitor work, address unsafe practices and support colleagues with health and safety issues.
Review training needs regularly and refresh training when procedures change or new equipment is introduced.
Risk Assessment and Control
Risk assessments will be carried out for all significant hazards associated with our storage and removal operations, including but not limited to manual handling, vehicle movements, working at height, use of equipment and fire risks. These assessments will:
Identify foreseeable hazards and who may be harmed.
Evaluate existing controls and determine whether additional measures are required.
Be recorded, communicated to relevant staff and reviewed at suitable intervals or following incidents or changes in operations.
Monitoring and Review
Storage Downham will monitor health and safety performance using a combination of inspections, audits, incident reports and staff feedback. We will use this information to identify trends, address weaknesses and share good practices across the business.
This Health and Safety Policy will be kept under regular review to ensure it remains suitable, effective and aligned with our operational needs and legal obligations. Revised versions will be communicated to employees and, where relevant, to contractors and other stakeholders.
Commitment
Storage Downham believes that high standards of health and safety are fundamental to the quality and reliability of our storage and removal services. By working together, following agreed procedures and reporting concerns promptly, all parties can help create a safer environment and protect people, property and the continuity of our operations.
