Storage Wennington Health And Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy explains how Storage Wennington manages health, safety and welfare for employees, contractors, visitors and customers using our storage and removals services. Our goal is to prevent accidents, protect property and safeguard everyone who enters our premises or works on our behalf.
Our Commitment To Health And Safety
Storage Wennington is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment in all areas of our business, including storage facilities, offices, vehicle loading zones and removal operations at customer locations. We aim to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and to apply industry best practice in manual handling, transport, lifting, storage and fire safety.
Health and safety is a core part of our operational planning. Management, employees and contractors must all cooperate to ensure that risks are identified, assessed and controlled, and that safe systems of work are followed at all times.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that adequate resources, training and supervision are provided, and that this policy is regularly reviewed and updated.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing safe working procedures, monitoring standards on site, reporting hazards and ensuring that all staff and contractors under their control follow this policy and attend required training.
All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions. This includes using equipment correctly, following instructions, reporting hazards and near misses, and cooperating with any health and safety investigations or audits.
Customers and visitors must follow on-site safety instructions, observe signage, use designated access routes and behave in a way that does not endanger themselves or others.
Risk Assessment And Safe Working Practices
Storage Wennington carries out risk assessments for its storage facilities, vehicles and removal activities. These assessments identify significant hazards such as manual handling, vehicle movements, slips and trips, working at height, fire, security risks and the handling of heavy or awkward items.
Findings from risk assessments are used to develop safe systems of work, standard operating procedures and training programmes. These are reviewed periodically and whenever work processes, equipment or layouts change.
Where risks cannot be eliminated, we aim to reduce them to as low as reasonably practicable through engineering controls, improved layout, staff training and where appropriate, the use of personal protective equipment.
Manual Handling And Lifting
Our storage and removals operations involve frequent lifting, carrying and moving of goods. To reduce the risk of injury, Storage Wennington promotes safe manual handling practices and the use of mechanical aids wherever possible.
Employees receive training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, the use of trolleys, sack trucks, tail lifts and other approved equipment. Staff must not exceed safe lifting limits and must seek assistance or mechanical support for heavy, bulky or awkward loads.
Customers are strongly encouraged to use appropriate lifting aids and to seek help from trained personnel for large or heavy items to avoid injury.
Vehicle And Site Safety
Vehicle movements present a significant risk in removal work and around storage loading areas. Storage Wennington aims to minimise this risk by managing traffic routes, using designated loading zones and ensuring that reversing, loading and unloading operations are controlled and supervised as needed.
Drivers must be competent, licensed and familiar with safe loading practices, securing loads and the proper use of lifting and securing equipment. Vehicles should be maintained in a roadworthy condition in line with applicable standards and checked regularly.
On site, customers and pedestrians must remain clear of loading areas and follow staff instructions. No unauthorised person may enter operational zones during lifting, loading or vehicle manoeuvring.
Storage Unit Safety And Housekeeping
Good housekeeping is essential for safe storage operations. Access routes, corridors, stairways and fire exits must be kept clear at all times. Spillages and obstructions should be reported immediately so they can be dealt with promptly.
Items stored must be stacked in a stable manner and within the capacity of the unit. Heavy items should be placed at low level, and racking or shelving must be used in accordance with manufacturer guidance. Customers are not permitted to store dangerous, illegal or prohibited goods that could create fire, chemical or security risks.
All persons on site must comply with safety signage, including restrictions on smoking, use of equipment, maximum loads and emergency exit routes.
Fire Safety And Emergencies
Storage Wennington takes fire safety seriously and aims to prevent fire through good housekeeping, restricted materials, appropriate electrical safety and regular inspections. Fire detection and alarm systems are installed where required and are tested at suitable intervals.
Emergency procedures are in place for evacuation in the event of fire or other serious incident. Fire exits and escape routes are clearly marked and must never be blocked or locked while the premises are occupied. Everyone on site must follow staff instructions and proceed calmly to the designated assembly points during an emergency.
Training, Information And Consultation
We provide health and safety induction for new employees, covering site rules, emergency procedures, manual handling, equipment use and incident reporting. Additional task-specific training is provided for roles involving driving, lifting equipment, or specialist storage and removal activities.
Information on health and safety procedures, risk assessments and relevant guidance is made available to staff. We encourage employees to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in consultations relating to health and safety.
Accident Reporting And Investigation
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables Storage Wennington to provide assistance, comply with reporting duties, investigate causes and implement corrective actions.
Accident investigations focus on identifying root causes and improving systems of work, rather than assigning blame. Where necessary, risk assessments and procedures will be updated and further training or control measures will be introduced.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant, effective and aligned with current legislation and industry practice. Revisions may be made following incidents, changes in operations, or feedback from staff, contractors or customers. An up-to-date version of this policy is available for inspection on request.
