Storage Chelsea Health and Safety Policy
Storage Chelsea is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage operations, removals activities, manual handling, vehicle movements, and the use of equipment on our premises and at customer locations.
Our aim is to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, protect property, and ensure that everyone associated with our operations understands their responsibilities. Health and safety is a core part of our business and is integrated into the planning and delivery of all services.
Policy Objectives
We are committed to achieving the following objectives:
To comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards relevant to storage and removal services. To identify, assess, and control risks arising from our work activities. To provide and maintain safe facilities, vehicles, equipment, and systems of work. To ensure that employees receive appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision. To consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage active participation. To continuously improve our health and safety performance through review and monitoring.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Chelsea is responsible for establishing, implementing, and reviewing this policy. Managers will lead by example and are accountable for ensuring that:
Risk assessments are carried out for storage and removals activities, including manual handling and vehicle operations. Safe working procedures are developed, communicated, and followed. Suitable resources are allocated to maintain health and safety arrangements. Incidents, near misses, and hazards are reported, investigated, and addressed promptly. Employees are consulted on changes that may affect their health and safety.
This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes to our operations or relevant legislation.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees are required to:
Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided. Use equipment and vehicles only for their intended purpose and in a safe manner. Wear any personal protective equipment provided, such as safety footwear and gloves, where required. Report accidents, incidents, near misses, and hazards as soon as possible. Co-operate with management in meeting health and safety obligations.
No employee should undertake any task for which they have not been trained or that they believe to be unsafe. Concerns about safety must be raised immediately with a supervisor or manager.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Chelsea aims to ensure that customers and visitors are protected from risks while on our premises or while removals are being carried out at their property. We will:
Maintain clear access routes, walkways, and emergency exits. Provide appropriate signage in operational areas. Manage vehicle and pedestrian movements to minimise the risk of collision. Ensure that lifting and handling of customer goods is carried out safely. Inform customers of any relevant safety information relating to their visit or removal service.
Customers and visitors are required to follow on-site instructions, observe warning signs, and refrain from entering restricted or operational areas unless authorised and accompanied by a member of staff.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Risk assessments will be carried out for activities such as loading and unloading vehicles, handling bulky or heavy items, operating storage equipment, working at height where necessary, and driving and parking vehicles. The findings of these assessments will be used to develop safe systems of work, which may include:
Use of appropriate manual handling techniques and aids, such as trolleys and lifting equipment. Planning routes to avoid unnecessary carrying and reduce trip or slip risks. Ensuring loads are stable and secure during lifting and transport. Controlling access to loading areas during removals operations. Implementing safe procedures for stacking, accessing, and retrieving stored goods.
Risk assessments and safe systems of work will be reviewed periodically and following any incident or significant change in working practices.
Vehicles, Equipment, and Maintenance
We recognise the importance of maintaining vehicles and equipment in safe working order. Storage Chelsea will ensure that:
Removal vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained to a safe standard. Lifting and handling equipment is checked before use and subject to regular inspections by competent persons. Defective equipment is taken out of service immediately and reported for repair or replacement. Storage areas, access points, and loading bays are kept in good condition and free from avoidable hazards.
Only trained and authorised employees are permitted to operate vehicles and specialist equipment.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All employees will receive appropriate induction and role-specific training to enable them to work safely. This includes, where relevant:
Manual handling and safe lifting techniques. Safe operation of vehicles and equipment. Emergency procedures, including fire safety and evacuation. Hazard awareness in storage and removal environments.
Training will be refreshed periodically and whenever work practices, equipment, or legal requirements change. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring working practices to ensure that training is applied correctly and that standards are maintained.
Emergency Preparedness and First Aid
Storage Chelsea will maintain clear emergency procedures for fire, accidents, and other incidents. This includes:
Identified escape routes and assembly points. Fire detection and firefighting equipment appropriate to the premises. Trained staff capable of assisting with evacuation and basic first aid. Recording and review of incidents to identify corrective actions.
Employees, customers, and visitors must follow instructions given during any emergency, including evacuation alarms or directions from staff.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement
We are committed to maintaining and improving our health and safety standards. Storage Chelsea will:
Monitor compliance with this policy through inspections and reviews. Record and investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses. Take corrective and preventive actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Review this policy and related procedures at regular intervals.
By working together and maintaining a proactive approach, Storage Chelsea aims to provide a safe, well-managed environment for storage and removal services, protecting the health, safety, and welfare of everyone involved in our operations.
