Storage Holloway Health and Safety Policy
Storage Holloway is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, visitors, and customers. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage and removal activities, including manual handling, transport, loading and unloading, and the use of equipment in and around our facilities.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health arising from our operations and to promote a positive health and safety culture. We will identify hazards, assess risks, and implement proportionate controls to protect people, property, and the environment. Health and safety considerations are integral to all planning and decision-making related to our storage and removal services.
Management at all levels is responsible for leading by example and ensuring that health and safety standards are maintained, communicated, and continually improved.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Storage Holloway will comply with all applicable health and safety legislation, approved codes of practice, and relevant guidance. We will regularly review legal requirements affecting our storage and removals activities and adjust our procedures, training, and controls to ensure ongoing compliance.
Roles and Responsibilities
Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Clear roles and responsibilities are essential for effective management of risk.
Senior management is responsible for setting health and safety objectives, providing adequate resources, and ensuring that this policy is implemented and reviewed. They will monitor performance, investigate serious incidents, and ensure lessons are learned and communicated.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing safe systems of work, conducting and reviewing risk assessments, and ensuring that staff receive appropriate information, instruction, and training. They must ensure that equipment is maintained, inspections are carried out, and corrective actions are completed promptly.
Employees are required 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 training and instructions, using equipment correctly, wearing any required personal protective equipment, and immediately reporting hazards, near misses, incidents, or unsafe conditions.
Contractors and visitors must follow site rules, comply with any instructions given by Storage Holloway staff, and cooperate with our health and safety arrangements while on our premises or engaged in related activities.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Holloway undertakes systematic risk assessments covering all significant hazards associated with our storage and removal operations, including but not limited to manual handling, use of vehicles and lifting equipment, storage of goods, access and egress, and working in confined or restricted areas.
We will implement safe systems of work based on these assessments. These may include controls such as designated walkways, load limits, traffic management arrangements, protective equipment, clear signage, and specific procedures for complex or higher risk tasks. Risk assessments and related procedures will be reviewed regularly and after any significant change in work activities, equipment, or layout.
Manual Handling and Lifting Operations
Manual handling is a core element of storage and removal services and is a key focus of our safety management. We will avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable and, where it cannot be avoided, we will assess the risks and reduce them as far as possible.
Employees will receive instruction on correct lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of trolleys, dollies, and other handling aids. Heavy, bulky, or awkward items will be moved using suitable equipment or assisted by additional personnel. Load weights and stability will be considered before any lifting or moving activity is undertaken.
Vehicles, Driving, and Traffic Management
Our operations involve vehicles such as removal vans, storage units on wheels, and customer vehicles accessing the site. To manage these risks, Storage Holloway will maintain clear traffic routes, loading areas, and parking zones. Where appropriate, speed limits, one way systems, and pedestrian walkways will be introduced.
Drivers must be competent, licensed for the vehicles they operate, and follow all site rules. Vehicles must be loaded and unloaded safely, with attention to the weight distribution, stability, and securing of goods. Reversing will be minimised where possible; where reversing is necessary, banksmen or reversing aids may be used as appropriate.
Equipment, Maintenance, and Housekeeping
All work equipment, including trolleys, lifts, and any mechanical handling aids, will be selected, used, inspected, and maintained in line with manufacturer instructions and applicable safety standards. Defective equipment must be removed from use and reported immediately.
Good housekeeping is essential to safe operations. Storage areas, corridors, stairways, and loading bays must be kept clear of obstructions, spillages, and trip hazards. Goods will be stacked safely, within clearly identified height and weight limits, and in a way that maintains safe access to exits, fire equipment, and emergency routes.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Holloway will maintain appropriate fire safety measures, which may include fire detection and alarm systems, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, clearly marked escape routes, and assembly points. Fire safety equipment will be inspected and maintained as required.
Employees will receive information on emergency procedures, including evacuation routes and the location of fire safety equipment. Regular drills or practical briefings will be conducted to ensure that staff can respond safely and effectively in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Health, Welfare, and Working Environment
We will provide a working environment that supports the health and welfare of employees and visitors. This includes adequate lighting, ventilation, temperature control where practicable, and suitable welfare facilities.
We recognise the importance of managing work related stress, fatigue, and the physical demands of storage and removal activities. Workload, scheduling, and rest breaks will be managed to help reduce these risks, and employees are encouraged to raise any concerns about health or wellbeing with their manager.
Information, Instruction, and Training
Appropriate information, instruction, and training will be provided to all employees so they can perform their duties safely and competently. This includes induction training, task specific training for handling and driving activities, and refresher or update training when equipment, procedures, or legislation change.
Safety signage, written procedures, and verbal briefings will be used to reinforce safe practices. Where necessary, supplementary training will be arranged to address identified risks or trends from incident reports.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All incidents, accidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly. Storage Holloway will investigate these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. This will be achieved through monitoring, inspections, audits, consultation with employees, and regular review of this policy and associated procedures.
Policy Review and Communication
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, facilities, or legal requirements. Any updates will be communicated to employees and, where relevant, to contractors and other interested parties.
By working together and following the principles in this policy, Storage Holloway aims to provide safe, reliable storage and removal services while protecting everyone involved in or affected by our activities.
