Storage Barnes Cray Health and Safety Policy
Storage Barnes Cray is committed to maintaining the highest practical standards of health and safety across all storage and removal activities. Our aim is to provide a safe and healthy environment for employees, customers, contractors, and visitors, and to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health so far as is reasonably practicable.
This policy sets out our approach to health and safety management in our facilities and during removal and handling operations.
Policy Aims and Objectives
We are committed to:
Identifying, assessing, and controlling risks arising from our storage and removal services. Providing and maintaining safe premises, equipment, and systems of work. Ensuring that vehicles, lifting equipment, and storage areas used in removals are operated safely and maintained in a safe condition. Providing information, instruction, training, and supervision to enable employees to work safely and competently. Consulting with employees on health and safety matters and encouraging active participation in improving safety performance. Continually reviewing and improving our health and safety management system.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Barnes Cray has overall responsibility for ensuring that this health and safety policy is implemented, monitored, and reviewed. Management will:
Set clear safety standards for storage facilities and removal operations. Ensure that appropriate resources are made available for health and safety. Appoint competent persons to assist in meeting health and safety requirements. Regularly review risk assessments covering storage units, handling of goods, manual handling, vehicle movements, and loading and unloading activities. Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses in order to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, whether based in storage premises or involved in removal work, have an obligation 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 health and safety procedures and safe systems of work. Use equipment, vehicles, and protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately. Cooperate with management to enable all legal and policy duties to be complied with. Report hazards, near misses, accidents, or unsafe practices as soon as they are identified. Attend required training and apply the skills and knowledge gained.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Barnes Cray will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments of its operations, including storage areas, access routes, loading bays, and removal activities at customer premises. These assessments will consider risks such as:
Manual handling of furniture, boxes, and equipment. Use of trolleys, lifting aids, and loading ramps. Vehicle movements in yards, access roads, and customer locations. Working in confined or restricted areas within storage units. Slips, trips, and falls, particularly during loading and unloading. Stacking and storage of goods to prevent collapse or falling objects.
Following assessment, we will implement safe systems of work that may include designated walkways, vehicle control measures, manual handling techniques, restriction of access to high-risk areas, and use of appropriate lifting equipment.
Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Manual handling is central to removal and storage activities. To reduce the risk of injury, we will:
Provide manual handling training tailored to removal and storage work. Use mechanical aids and trolleys wherever reasonably practicable. Plan removal routes to minimise unnecessary carrying, twisting, and reaching. Encourage team lifting for heavy, awkward, or bulky items. Rotate tasks where possible to reduce repetitive strain.
Vehicles, Driving, and Transport Safety
Where vehicles are used for removals or transport of goods, Storage Barnes Cray will:
Ensure all vehicles are maintained, inspected, and fit for purpose. Provide training and instructions for drivers and loaders, including safe loading, securing of loads, and use of tail lifts or ramps. Manage vehicle movements in yards, loading areas, and at customer sites to reduce the risk of collision with other vehicles, pedestrians, or property. Require drivers to comply with traffic laws and drive responsibly and considerately.
Equipment and Maintenance
All equipment used in storage and removal operations will be suitable for its intended task and maintained in a safe condition. This includes trolleys, lifting equipment, shelving, ladders, and any other tools or machinery. Regular checks will be carried out, and defective equipment will be taken out of service until repaired or replaced.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Barnes Cray will maintain clear fire safety and emergency procedures within its premises. These include:
Provision and maintenance of suitable fire detection and firefighting equipment. Clear signage for fire exits and escape routes. Regular checks to ensure exits and routes are unobstructed. Employee training in fire and emergency evacuation procedures. Periodic drills to test the effectiveness of emergency arrangements.
Welfare, First Aid, and Incident Reporting
We will provide appropriate welfare and first aid arrangements for employees and visitors. This includes access to sanitary facilities, drinking water, rest areas where appropriate, and adequate first aid provisions.
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly. These incidents will be recorded, reviewed, and investigated where necessary to identify corrective and preventive actions.
Information, Instruction, and Training
Storage Barnes Cray will ensure that employees receive appropriate health and safety training relevant to their roles. This may include induction training, manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, fire safety, and site-specific procedures. Training needs will be reviewed regularly, particularly when new equipment, processes, or working methods are introduced.
Contractors, Customers, and Visitors
We recognise our duty to protect not only our employees but also contractors, customers, and other visitors. All visitors to our premises will be given suitable information on relevant safety procedures. Contractors working on site must follow our health and safety requirements and provide evidence of their own competence and safety management where appropriate.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
This health and safety policy will be monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure it remains relevant and effective. Regular inspections, audits, and reviews of procedures will be carried out. The policy will be formally reviewed periodically and updated to reflect changes in operations, best practice, or applicable requirements.
By working together, management and employees at Storage Barnes Cray will continue to promote a strong safety culture and maintain safe conditions for all aspects of our storage and removal services.
