Storage West Brompton Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Storage West Brompton manages the safety and wellbeing of employees, contractors, visitors, and customers using our storage units and associated removal and handling services. Our aim is to provide a safe, clean, and well managed environment and to reduce risks arising from storage, lifting, transportation, and access to our premises.
Policy Statement
Storage West Brompton is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety in all areas of our business, including storage facilities, loading bays, access routes, vehicle movements, and manual handling activities related to removals. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent accidents, work related ill health, property damage, and unsafe situations.
This policy applies to all employees, management, contractors, and customers while they are on our premises or engaged in activities directly connected with our services.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for implementing and reviewing this policy, providing adequate resources, and promoting a positive safety culture. This includes ensuring that:
Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for storage operations, removal and handling tasks, vehicle and pedestrian movements, working at height, and use of equipment. Safe systems of work are developed, communicated, and monitored. Staff receive appropriate health and safety training and instruction. Incidents and near misses are reported, investigated, and used to prevent recurrence. Emergency procedures are established, maintained, and tested where appropriate.
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. Employees must:
Follow all instructions, training, and safety procedures provided by the company. Use equipment, vehicles, and handling aids correctly and only when authorised and trained to do so. Report hazards, defects, accidents, and near misses to management without delay. Cooperate with any investigations, safety initiatives, and health and safety improvements. Refrain from unsafe behaviour, horseplay, or misuse of equipment.
Customer and Visitor Responsibilities
Customers and visitors are expected to act safely and follow site rules at all times while on our premises. In particular, customers using storage units or removal and loading areas must:
Follow any safety signage and instructions from staff. Park and drive carefully, respecting pedestrian areas and loading points. Load and stack items in a stable and safe manner, avoiding overloading units or vehicles. Use trolleys and handling aids correctly and only for their intended purpose. Refrain from bringing prohibited or hazardous items onto the premises, such as flammable, explosive, corrosive, or illegal goods.
Customers are encouraged to ask staff for guidance on safe manual handling and use of available equipment when moving items into or out of storage.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Storage West Brompton conducts and maintains risk assessments for key activities, including storage operations, customer access, removal and loading work, manual handling, and vehicle movements. Control measures may include designated loading zones, restricted areas, use of handling equipment, and clear traffic routes.
Safe working practices are developed based on these risk assessments. Where removal or transport assistance is provided, staff will follow manual handling guidance, use appropriate lifting techniques, and use suitable equipment to reduce the risk of injury.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a significant aspect of storage and removal services. To minimise the risk of strain, sprain, and other musculoskeletal injuries, we:
Provide staff with training on safe lifting techniques and the use of handling aids. Encourage team lifting for heavy or awkward items. Ensure that equipment such as sack trucks, trolleys, and other aids are inspected and maintained. Advise customers on safe loading practices and the importance of keeping pathways clear.
Only trained individuals are permitted to operate any mechanical or powered handling equipment supplied by the company.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire safety is managed through a combination of risk assessment, physical measures, and management procedures. The premises are fitted with appropriate fire detection and fire fighting equipment, and escape routes are kept clear and well signposted.
Staff receive instruction on emergency procedures, including evacuation, use of fire equipment where appropriate, and communication with the emergency services. Customers and visitors must follow staff instructions immediately in the event of an alarm or emergency and use the designated exits.
Housekeeping and Storage Standards
Good housekeeping is essential for safe operations. Storage West Brompton maintains a programme of regular inspections to ensure that:
Access routes, corridors, stairways, and loading areas remain free from obstruction. Floors are kept as clean and dry as reasonably practicable. Waste and unwanted materials are removed regularly and stored safely before disposal. Storage units are used in a way that avoids unsafe stacking or blocking of doors and walkways.
Customers are responsible for the safe arrangement of their goods within their units and are encouraged to stack heavier items at the bottom and avoid creating unstable piles.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We provide employees with training relevant to their roles, including induction training, manual handling, fire safety, and any task specific instruction needed for removal and storage operations. Refresher training is provided as required.
Health and safety information is communicated through briefings, signage, and written procedures. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring day to day compliance, providing guidance, and addressing unsafe practices promptly.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, and near misses on our premises must be reported to staff as soon as possible. Accurate records are maintained and reviewed regularly. Where appropriate, incidents will be investigated to identify underlying causes and to implement corrective actions.
Customers are asked to inform staff immediately if they are involved in or witness an accident, damage, or unsafe condition while using the storage or removal facilities.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Storage West Brompton is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. This policy and related procedures are reviewed regularly, and also following any significant change in operations, premises, or relevant guidance.
Where improvements are identified, we will update our systems, training, and communication to reflect best practice in storage and removal safety.
This Health and Safety Policy is supported by more detailed procedures and risk assessments held by management and made available to employees. All parties using our premises share responsibility for maintaining a safe environment and are expected to cooperate fully with these arrangements.
