Storage North End Health and Safety Policy Statement
Storage North End is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, contractors, visitors, and customers using our storage and removal services. We recognise our duty to manage health and safety risks effectively and to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property through responsible planning, training, supervision, and continuous improvement.
This policy sets out the principles and practical measures we follow to protect people and property on our premises and during the handling, loading, transportation, and unloading of goods as part of our storage and removal activities.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Storage North End aims to:
Identify, assess, and control significant health and safety risks associated with storage, lifting, moving, packing, and transport of goods.
Provide and maintain safe facilities, equipment, and systems of work for staff and visitors.
Ensure all employees are trained and competent to carry out their duties safely, particularly in relation to manual handling, use of equipment, and driving duties linked to removal services.
Engage with employees on health and safety matters and encourage a culture where concerns and near misses are reported promptly.
Review incidents, investigate root causes, and use findings to improve our procedures and controls.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage North End holds overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that appropriate resources are provided for health and safety management. This includes:
Setting clear health and safety standards and monitoring performance against them.
Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out and kept up to date for storage operations, handling tasks, vehicle use, loading and unloading, and customer access areas.
Providing safe equipment and ensuring it is regularly inspected, serviced, and fit for purpose.
Ensuring that employees receive initial and refresher training relevant to their roles, including safe lifting techniques, use of handling aids, and safe driving where applicable.
Reviewing this policy periodically and when changes in operations, technology, or legislation make it necessary.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Storage North End has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees are expected to:
Follow all health and safety instructions, procedures, and training provided.
Use equipment, vehicles, and handling aids correctly and not misuse or interfere with safety devices.
Practice safe manual handling, including assessing load weight, using correct posture, and seeking assistance or using equipment for heavier or awkward items.
Report hazards, defects, near misses, and incidents immediately to their manager so that prompt action can be taken.
Wear any personal protective equipment that has been provided for specific tasks, such as gloves, safety footwear, or high visibility clothing where required.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage North End is committed to ensuring that customers and visitors can access our premises safely. To support this, we:
Provide clear signage to indicate vehicle routes, pedestrian walkways, loading areas, and emergency exits.
Keep access routes, corridors, stairways, and loading bays as clear as reasonably practicable from obstructions.
Manage traffic flow in loading and unloading areas to reduce the risk of collisions between vehicles and pedestrians.
Request that customers follow site instructions, use designated areas, and avoid entering restricted or staff-only zones.
Encourage customers to seek assistance for heavy or bulky items and to make use of trolleys or handling equipment where made available.
Manual Handling and Removal Activities
Manual handling is a key part of our storage and removal operations. To minimise the risk of strain, sprain, and other injuries, Storage North End:
Provides training and guidance on safe lifting and carrying techniques, including assessing the load, planning the route, and using team lifts where appropriate.
Uses handling aids, such as sack trucks, trolleys, and lifting equipment to reduce the need for manual lifting of heavy items.
Plans removal and loading tasks to avoid unnecessary handling and to keep heavy or bulky goods at safe working heights where possible.
Encourages customers to pack items safely, distribute weight evenly in boxes, and identify fragile or heavy items before loading.
Equipment, Vehicles, and Premises
Storage North End is committed to maintaining safe equipment, vehicles, and premises. We will:
Inspect and maintain handling equipment and tools at appropriate intervals.
Keep vehicles used in connection with removals and storage in roadworthy condition, with regular checks on brakes, lights, tyres, and securing systems for loads.
Maintain lighting, ventilation, and general housekeeping within storage areas and common spaces to reduce accidents.
Ensure that fire detection, alarm systems, and fire-fighting equipment are provided and regularly tested, and that escape routes remain accessible.
Hazardous Substances and Prohibited Items
For the safety of everyone on site and in transit, Storage North End:
Prohibits the storage or transport of goods that present a significant risk, such as explosive, highly flammable, corrosive, or toxic materials, unless specifically authorised and managed under strict controls.
Provides guidance to customers on items that cannot be stored or moved as part of our services, to prevent fire, contamination, or other serious hazards.
Ensures that any substances used in the operation of the business are handled, stored, and used according to manufacturer information and applicable safety guidance.
Emergency Procedures and First Aid
Storage North End has emergency procedures in place to deal with fire, accidents, and other serious events. We will:
Provide clear instructions for evacuation and display information on emergency exits.
Make sure that staff are aware of the emergency arrangements and that drills or briefings are conducted where appropriate.
Provide basic first aid equipment on site and ensure there are trained individuals who can offer initial assistance in the event of an injury.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
Storage North End regularly monitors health and safety performance by reviewing incident reports, checking compliance with procedures, and seeking feedback from staff and customers. We use this information to identify trends, address issues, and update our procedures and training.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains appropriate to the nature and scale of our storage and removal activities, and to reflect any significant operational changes.
All employees, contractors, and customers are expected to cooperate with the principles set out in this policy to help maintain a safe, secure, and well-managed environment at Storage North End.
