Health and Safety Policy for Storage Cockfosters
Storage Cockfosters is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across our storage facilities and removal operations, including handling, transport and storage of goods for domestic and business clients.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We aim to prevent injury, ill health and damage arising from our activities by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning, decision-making and daily work practices.
Senior management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and will ensure that adequate resources, information, training and supervision are provided so that this policy can be implemented and maintained.
Roles and Responsibilities
Management is responsible for establishing safe systems of work, maintaining equipment, ensuring a safe working environment and reviewing this policy on a regular basis. Managers and supervisors must lead by example, promote a positive safety culture and ensure compliance with established procedures at all times.
Employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes following instructions, using equipment correctly, reporting hazards or incidents promptly and cooperating fully with training and safety initiatives.
Contractors and visitors are required to follow site rules, safety signage and any instructions provided by Storage Cockfosters staff. They must not undertake any activity that could put themselves or others at risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out risk assessments for our storage premises and removal services, including vehicle loading, unloading, lifting, carrying, packing, storage and access to units. These assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, equipment or premises.
Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments and communicated clearly to employees. Where necessary, written procedures are provided for high-risk tasks, such as use of lifting equipment, working on or around vehicles and handling heavy or bulky items.
Safe Storage Facilities
Storage Cockfosters aims to ensure that all storage units and communal areas are kept in a safe condition. Aisles, corridors, loading bays and fire exits are to be kept clear of obstruction. Lighting, flooring and access routes are inspected regularly to minimise trip, slip and fall hazards.
Customers are expected to store goods safely within their units, stacking items securely and avoiding overloading shelves or creating unstable loads. Prohibited and hazardous materials must not be brought onto the site. Staff may intervene if goods are stored in a way that creates risk.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Our removal and storage activities involve regular lifting, carrying and moving of goods. To reduce the risk of injury, employees receive guidance on correct manual handling techniques and the use of appropriate handling aids such as sack trucks, trolleys and lifting equipment where provided.
Employees must not attempt to lift or carry items that are beyond their capability. Team lifts and mechanical assistance should be used for heavy or awkward loads. Any defects or concerns with handling equipment must be reported immediately so that the equipment can be taken out of use until made safe.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
For removal and transport services, drivers must operate vehicles safely and in accordance with traffic laws, company procedures and any site-specific rules. Vehicles are to be kept in good working order, subject to regular checks and maintenance schedules.
Loading and unloading must be carried out in designated areas where possible, with particular attention paid to securing loads, preventing falls from vehicles and protecting pedestrians. Engines should be switched off when vehicles are being loaded or unloaded unless essential for operation of equipment.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We maintain appropriate fire detection and firefighting equipment, and ensure that escape routes and emergency exits are clearly marked and kept unobstructed. Fire safety arrangements are communicated to staff and displayed on site for customers and visitors.
In the event of an emergency, all persons on site must follow the instructions of Storage Cockfosters staff, evacuate promptly when required and proceed to the designated assembly point. Regular checks and, where appropriate, drills will be carried out to confirm that procedures remain effective.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents, near misses and hazardous situations must be reported without delay to a manager or designated person. This enables us to investigate the causes, take corrective action and prevent recurrence.
Records of accidents and incidents are kept and reviewed periodically to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Where necessary, risk assessments and procedures will be updated, and additional training or controls introduced.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Cockfosters provides information, instruction and training appropriate to the roles and responsibilities of employees. This may include induction training, manual handling guidance, safe use of equipment, site rules, emergency procedures and specific training for driving or specialist tasks.
Supervision levels are set according to the level of risk and the experience of employees. New or inexperienced staff may be subject to closer supervision until they are considered competent to work more independently.
Health, Welfare and Wellbeing
We recognise the importance of protecting both physical and mental health. Suitable welfare facilities, such as toilets and handwashing, are provided and maintained in clean and safe condition.
We seek to manage workload and scheduling for removal and storage activities in a way that reduces unreasonable stress and fatigue. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns about their health or workload so that supportive measures can be considered.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Cockfosters encourages open communication on health and safety issues. Employees are invited to contribute ideas for improving safety and to participate in consultations on changes that may affect their work.
This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in our operations, improvements in best practice and feedback from employees and customers. Our objective is continual improvement in health and safety performance across all storage and removal services we provide.
