Storage Clerkenwell Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures adopted by Storage Clerkenwell to provide a safe and healthy working environment for employees, contractors, customers and visitors. As a company operating storage and removal services, we recognise our duty to manage risks associated with handling, lifting, transport, access to storage facilities and the use of equipment.
We are committed to continuous improvement in our health and safety performance and to ensuring that our practices comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aims of this policy are to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property, and to promote a culture where safety is an integral part of daily activity. Our key objectives include identifying and controlling risks associated with removals and storage, providing safe systems of work, and encouraging every individual on our premises or engaged in our services to take responsibility for their own safety and that of others.
We will review this policy periodically and in response to significant changes in our operations, equipment, or working practices.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Clerkenwell has overall responsibility for health and safety within the business. Management will provide adequate resources, information, instruction and supervision to ensure that this policy is effectively implemented and maintained.
Managers are responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, recorded, and reviewed, and that suitable control measures are implemented. They must make sure that employees understand safe working procedures for removal services, vehicle loading and unloading, storage handling, and access to units or warehouse areas.
Management will also ensure that incidents, accidents and near-misses are reported, investigated and, where appropriate, acted upon to prevent recurrence.
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. This includes following safety instructions, using equipment correctly, cooperating with training, and reporting any hazards or incidents without delay.
Employees working on removal operations must follow manual handling procedures, use lifting aids where provided, wear appropriate protective equipment and adhere to vehicle safety protocols. Unsafe practices, including overloading vehicles, improper stacking of goods, or blocking emergency routes, are not tolerated.
Every member of staff is encouraged to raise health and safety concerns, suggest improvements and participate actively in promoting a safe working environment.
Safe Operations for Removals and Storage
Storage Clerkenwell recognises that removal and storage activities can present specific risks related to lifting, moving and transporting goods. We will assess these risks and implement controls such as route planning, safe loading methods, and the use of proper handling equipment.
Goods will be loaded and unloaded in a manner that maintains stability and prevents shifting during transit. Access routes to and from vehicles will be kept clear, well organised and, where possible, segregated from pedestrian pathways to reduce the risk of collision or injury.
Within storage areas, items must be stacked securely and within safe height limits. Aisles, emergency exits and fire-fighting equipment will be kept unobstructed at all times.
Risk Assessment and Hazard Control
Regular risk assessments will be conducted for all key activities, including manual handling, operation of lifting equipment, driving and parking of removal vehicles, working at height where applicable, and entry to storage spaces. The purpose of these assessments is to identify hazards, evaluate the level of risk and introduce proportionate control measures.
Where risks cannot be eliminated, they will be reduced as far as reasonably practicable through a combination of engineering controls, administrative procedures and the use of personal protective equipment. Risk assessments will be reviewed following any incident, introduction of new equipment or significant change in working practice.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Clerkenwell will provide appropriate health and safety training to all employees, including induction training for new starters and role-specific training for those involved in removal operations or the use of equipment. Training may cover topics such as safe lifting techniques, vehicle and driving safety, emergency procedures, use of fire equipment and awareness of site rules.
Information on hazards, controls and safe systems of work will be communicated clearly, both verbally and in writing where necessary. Supervisors will monitor compliance with procedures and provide guidance and feedback to promote safe behaviour.
Equipment, Vehicles and Personal Protective Equipment
All work equipment and vehicles used by Storage Clerkenwell will be selected, maintained and inspected to ensure they are safe and suitable for their intended use. Defective or damaged equipment must be taken out of service immediately and reported to management.
Where personal protective equipment is required, such as safety footwear, gloves or high-visibility clothing, it will be provided as appropriate and must be used in accordance with training and instructions. Employees are responsible for looking after issued equipment and reporting any defects.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Clerkenwell will maintain clear fire safety arrangements, including suitable alarms, extinguishers and escape routes. Fire exits will be clearly marked and kept free from obstruction. All staff and regular contractors will be made aware of evacuation procedures, assembly points and the location of firefighting equipment.
Emergency procedures, including response to fire, accidents, spillages or other incidents, will be communicated and tested through drills where appropriate. Any shortcomings identified during drills or actual incidents will be reviewed and corrective actions implemented.
Contractors, Customers and Visitors
All contractors working on our premises must comply with this policy and with any additional site rules that apply to their work. They must ensure that their own activities do not put our employees, customers or visitors at risk.
Customers and visitors using our storage facilities or meeting our teams during removal services are expected to follow safety instructions, adhere to signage and avoid entering restricted areas or interfering with equipment. Children and vulnerable persons must be supervised at all times.
Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
Storage Clerkenwell will monitor its health and safety performance through inspections, incident statistics, staff feedback and audits of procedures. We are committed to ongoing improvement and will make changes to our operations, training and controls as necessary to maintain a high standard of safety for all.
This Health and Safety Policy is approved by management and applies to all aspects of our storage and removal services. Compliance with this policy is a condition of employment and a requirement for all individuals who work with or visit Storage Clerkenwell.
