Storage Hayes Health and Safety Policy
Storage Hayes is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, customers, and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and arrangements we follow to manage risks across our storage, removals, handling, and transportation 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 continually improve our health and safety performance and to integrate safety considerations into all business operations, including storage services and removals.
Management is responsible for providing appropriate resources, training, and supervision to ensure that this policy is implemented and maintained. All employees and contractors have a duty to work safely, follow procedures, and report hazards, incidents, or near misses without delay.
Legal Compliance and Responsibilities
Storage Hayes will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, regulations, and approved codes of practice applicable to our operations. We will keep our procedures under review to ensure they reflect current legal requirements and industry standards.
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with senior management. Day-to-day implementation is delegated to appointed managers and supervisors who must:
Ensure that risk assessments are completed and reviewed regularly.
Provide safe systems of work for storage, handling, removals, and vehicle use.
Ensure staff receive adequate information, instruction, and training.
Monitor working practices and address unsafe conditions promptly.
Employees must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must cooperate with Storage Hayes to enable us to fulfil our obligations.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for our activities, including but not limited to:
Manual handling of goods and customer belongings.
Operation of vehicles used for removals and transport.
Use of trolleys, lifting aids, and other handling equipment.
Storage of items in units, warehouses, and loading areas.
Access and egress for staff, customers, and visitors.
These assessments identify hazards, evaluate risks, and determine appropriate control measures. Safe systems of work are developed, documented where required, communicated to staff, and monitored for effectiveness.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling activities are a core part of storage and removals operations. Storage Hayes is committed to minimising the risk of musculoskeletal injuries by:
Avoiding hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable.
Providing suitable handling equipment such as sack trucks and trolleys.
Ensuring items are packed, stacked, and moved in a stable and secure manner.
Training staff in safe lifting techniques and correct use of equipment.
Employees must use handling aids where provided and must not attempt to lift or move loads that are beyond their capability. Faulty equipment must be removed from service and reported immediately.
Vehicle Safety and Removals Operations
Vehicles used for removals and the transport of goods are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Drivers and removals teams must follow all traffic laws and company procedures, including:
Carrying out pre-use vehicle checks.
Loading vehicles to maintain stability and avoid overloading.
Securing loads to prevent movement during transit.
Using designated loading and unloading areas where provided.
Operating safely in shared areas such as yards and car parks.
Only authorised and competent persons may drive company vehicles or operate any specialised equipment associated with removals and storage tasks.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
Storage Hayes will maintain a clean, tidy, and orderly environment across all storage and operational areas. Good housekeeping is essential to the prevention of slips, trips, and falls. This includes:
Keeping access routes, corridors, and fire exits clear.
Storing items safely to prevent collapse or falling objects.
Managing waste and recyclables in a safe and timely manner.
Promptly dealing with spillages and other contaminants.
Signage, markings, and barriers will be used where appropriate to indicate hazards, restricted zones, or changes in floor levels.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We take fire safety seriously and will implement appropriate measures to reduce fire risks and protect people on our premises. These measures include:
Fire risk assessments and regular reviews.
Provision and maintenance of suitable fire detection and firefighting equipment.
Clearly marked escape routes and emergency exits.
Display of fire action notices and emergency instructions.
Periodic drills and staff familiarisation with evacuation procedures.
All persons on site must follow instructions given during an emergency and must not obstruct fire exits or tamper with fire safety equipment.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Storage Hayes will provide employees with appropriate health and safety training relevant to their roles, including induction training for new starters and refresher training as needed. This may include:
Manual handling and safe lifting.
Use of handling equipment and vehicles.
Fire safety and emergency arrangements.
Hazard awareness in storage and removals operations.
Information on risks and control measures will be communicated through briefings, notices, and instructions. Supervisors will monitor working practices and provide guidance to uphold safe standards.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions must be reported as soon as possible to a manager or supervisor. Storage Hayes will record and, where necessary, investigate such events to identify causes and implement corrective actions.
Records of incidents will be reviewed periodically to identify trends and opportunities for improvement in our health and safety arrangements.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We encourage open communication on health and safety matters and welcome suggestions from employees and customers on ways to improve safety in storage and removals operations. Where appropriate, staff will be consulted on changes that may affect their health and safety.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, operations, or best practice. A current version of the policy will be made available to employees, contractors, and customers upon request.
