Storage Harringay Health and Safety Policy
Storage Harringay is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for employees, contractors, visitors, and customers. This Health and Safety Policy outlines our approach to managing risks associated with storage, handling, transport, and removal services, including work in warehouses, storage units, client premises, and during loading and unloading activities.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures. We aim to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and to follow recognised best practice for storage operations and removal activities.
Storage Harringay will allocate appropriate resources to health and safety, maintain safe systems of work, and continuously review and improve health and safety performance.
Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for setting health and safety standards, ensuring suitable arrangements are in place, and reviewing performance. Management will ensure that employees receive adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision to carry out their work safely.
Supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation of this policy, including monitoring working practices, reporting hazards, and ensuring that control measures are followed.
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 work. Employees must cooperate with Storage Harringay in meeting health and safety obligations, follow all instructions and training, use equipment properly, and report unsafe conditions or incidents without delay.
Contractors and visitors are required to follow site rules, comply with safety instructions, and cooperate with staff to maintain a safe environment at all times.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Harringay will identify and assess significant hazards arising from its operations, including but not limited to manual handling, working at height, vehicle movements, use of lifting equipment, use of storage racking, and handling of customer goods.
Risk assessments will be documented, communicated to relevant staff, and reviewed at regular intervals or following incidents, changes in process, or the introduction of new equipment. Safe systems of work will be developed and implemented to manage identified risks, and employees will be trained in these procedures.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Storage and removal work often involves lifting, carrying, and moving items of various sizes and weights. To reduce the risk of injury, employees will receive training on correct lifting techniques, use of mechanical aids, and safe team handling methods.
Where practicable, handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, sack trucks, and lifting equipment will be used. Heavy or awkward loads will be assessed before moving, and staff will not be required to lift items that are beyond their capability or for which suitable equipment is not available.
Use of Equipment and Vehicles
All work equipment, including forklifts, pallet trucks, trolleys, and lifting accessories, must be suitable for the task, regularly inspected, properly maintained, and used only by trained and competent persons.
Vehicles used for removal and transport services will be maintained in a roadworthy condition and subject to regular checks. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence and follow company procedures for safe loading, securing of loads, safe driving, and parking at client premises. Access routes and loading areas must be kept clear, and reversing will be controlled wherever possible by use of a banksman or other safe system.
Storage Areas, Housekeeping, and Fire Safety
Storage areas and warehouses must be kept tidy, well organised, and free from unnecessary obstructions. Aisles, fire exits, emergency routes, and access to fire-fighting equipment must remain clear at all times.
Racking and shelving systems will be installed and used in line with manufacturers guidance and internal procedures. Loads will be placed safely and within stated capacity limits. Damaged racking or equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of service where necessary.
Fire risks will be managed through appropriate controls such as no-smoking rules in designated areas, safe use of electrical equipment, and regular inspection of fire extinguishers and alarm systems where installed. Fire evacuation procedures will be communicated to staff and, where relevant, to visitors and contractors.
Working at Client Premises
When providing removal or delivery services at client premises, Storage Harringay staff will follow site-specific safety arrangements and any reasonable instructions given by the client regarding safety on their property.
Access routes, stairways, corridors, and lifts will be assessed before work begins. Where possible, trip hazards and obstacles will be removed or controlled. Particular care will be taken when handling large or bulky items through narrow spaces and doorways. Staff will consider the safety of household members, neighbours, and the public, and will take steps to prevent unauthorised persons from entering work areas.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All employees will receive an appropriate induction that covers relevant health and safety requirements, site rules, emergency procedures, and reporting arrangements. Additional role-specific training will be provided where required, for example for manual handling, use of vehicles, and operation of lifting equipment.
Training records will be maintained and refreshed periodically, or sooner if work processes change or if monitoring indicates that additional training is needed. Supervisors will provide ongoing guidance and monitoring to ensure that procedures are followed in practice.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, near misses, and hazardous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to a manager or supervisor. Details will be recorded and investigated to identify root causes and to implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Where necessary, incidents will be reported to the relevant enforcing authorities in line with statutory requirements. Lessons learned from investigations will be shared with staff and may lead to changes in procedures, equipment, or training.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Harringay encourages employees to raise any health and safety concerns and to suggest improvements. Consultation may take place through meetings, briefings, or informal discussions. Feedback will be considered when reviewing risk assessments, procedures, and working practices.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, or the nature of our storage and removal operations. The latest version will be made available to employees, contractors, and customers on request.
