Storage Lea Bridge Health and Safety Policy
Storage Lea Bridge is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risk in our storage facilities and during removal operations, including packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and handling of goods.
We recognise our duty of care and aim to continually improve our health and safety performance. Everyone working for or with Storage Lea Bridge is expected to take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others who may be affected by their actions.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The aims of this Health and Safety policy are to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property, and to promote a positive safety culture throughout our storage and removals services. We will achieve this by identifying and managing risks, providing appropriate training and supervision, and ensuring that safe systems of work are in place and followed.
Our objectives are to maintain safe working conditions, safe equipment, and safe working practices, and to ensure that health and safety considerations are integrated into all planning and decision making across storage and removal activities.
Management Responsibilities
The management team at Storage Lea Bridge has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are made available to support it. Management will lead by example, promote safe behaviour, and ensure that health and safety is an integral part of operational planning for storage units, removal vehicles, and customer moves.
Managers are responsible for carrying out and reviewing risk assessments, ensuring that control measures are implemented, and monitoring compliance. They will investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Employee and Contractor Responsibilities
All employees and contractors engaged in storage, removals, packing, loading, and related activities must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others. They must follow safety instructions, use equipment correctly, and report hazards, defects, near misses, and incidents as soon as possible.
No one should undertake any task for which they have not been trained or authorised, particularly when it involves manual handling, vehicle operation, working at height, or the use of lifting equipment. Employees and contractors must not misuse or interfere with anything provided in the interests of health and safety.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Lea Bridge will undertake suitable and proportionate risk assessments for its activities, including storage operations, customer access to units, handling of goods, and removal services. These assessments will identify significant hazards and specify the measures necessary to reduce risks to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work will be developed for key tasks such as manual handling, loading and unloading vehicles, stacking and storing goods, operating trolleys and handling equipment, and moving items within storage areas. These procedures will be communicated to all relevant staff and reviewed periodically or following any incident or significant change in operations.
Manual Handling and Handling of Goods
Manual handling is central to removals and storage operations. Storage Lea Bridge will minimise the need for hazardous manual handling wherever reasonably practicable by using mechanical aids, appropriate vehicles, and well planned loading and unloading arrangements.
Employees and contractors will receive guidance on safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and the use of handling equipment. Loads will be assessed for weight, size, stability, and potential hazards before being lifted or moved. Unsafe lifting practices such as twisting while carrying heavy items, lifting above shoulder height without assistance, or carrying items that obstruct vision are not permitted.
Safe Storage and Use of Equipment
All equipment used in storage and removal activities, including trolleys, dollies, pallet trucks, steps, and any lifting accessories, must be suitable for the task and properly maintained. Defective or damaged equipment must be removed from use immediately and reported to management.
Storage areas will be kept organised to prevent overloading, unstable stacks, and blocked access routes. Heavy items should be stored at low levels where possible, and aisles, fire exits, and emergency equipment must remain unobstructed at all times.
Vehicle and Traffic Safety
Safe vehicle movements are essential in and around our premises and when providing removal services. Vehicle loading and unloading will take place in designated areas and, where necessary, will be supervised to manage the interaction between vehicles, staff, and customers.
Drivers are responsible for the safe operation of their vehicles, adherence to road safety rules, and correct securing of loads to prevent movement during transit. Reversing manoeuvres will be planned to reduce risk, and where appropriate a trained person should act as a guide to assist the driver.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Lea Bridge will maintain appropriate fire safety measures, including clear fire escape routes, alarm systems where applicable, and suitable fire extinguishers. Fire exits must be kept unlocked and unobstructed during operating hours.
All staff will be made aware of the fire evacuation procedures, assembly points, and the location of emergency equipment. In the event of an emergency, the safety of people is the primary concern. Personal belongings and stored items must not be retrieved until it is confirmed safe by an authorised person.
Welfare, Housekeeping, and Work Environment
We will provide and maintain welfare facilities appropriate to the size and nature of our operations, including access to toilets, hand washing facilities, and rest areas. Good housekeeping is essential for a safe environment; floors and walkways should be kept clear, dry, and free from trip hazards such as loose packaging, straps, and discarded materials.
Lighting and ventilation will be maintained at suitable levels to ensure safe working conditions in storage spaces, corridors, and loading areas.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Storage Lea Bridge will ensure that all employees receive appropriate induction and role specific training covering health and safety responsibilities, accident reporting, manual handling, and safe use of equipment. Refresher training will be provided as needed, particularly when there are changes in work practices or introduction of new equipment.
Information on health and safety procedures will be communicated through briefings, instructions, and notices. Supervision will be proportionate to the level of risk and the experience of the individuals involved.
Incident Reporting and Policy Review
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported so that they can be properly recorded, investigated, and, where necessary, notified to the relevant authorities. The findings from investigations will be used to improve our systems and procedures.
This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when required to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, and company operations. The latest version of the policy will be made available to employees, contractors, and customers on request.
