Health and Safety Policy for Storage Elephant and Castle
Storage Elephant and Castle is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, visitors, contractors, and any other persons affected by our storage and removal activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks in our premises and during associated removal and transport operations.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing appropriate control measures. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance and to ensure that safety considerations are integrated into all aspects of our storage and removal services.
We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards, and we will apply best practice where reasonably practicable to protect people, property, and the environment.
Responsibilities
The overall responsibility for health and safety within Storage Elephant and Castle rests with senior management, who will ensure that adequate resources, information, instruction, and supervision are provided to maintain safe working conditions.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy within their areas of control, including safe operation of storage facilities, loading bays, vehicles, and associated handling equipment.
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 acts or omissions. Employees must follow safety instructions, make full use of provided equipment, and report any hazards, incidents, or near misses without delay.
Contractors and removal teams working on our premises or on our behalf must comply with this policy and with all site safety rules. Customers are expected to act responsibly, observe signage and guidance, and not engage in unsafe handling or loading activities.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will conduct and regularly review risk assessments covering our storage facilities, removal operations, transport activities, and office functions. These assessments will identify hazards, evaluate associated risks, and determine suitable control measures.
Safe systems of work will be developed for key activities, including but not limited to:
Manual handling of goods and furniture.
Use of trolleys, pallet trucks, and lifting devices.
Loading and unloading of vehicles.
Use of storage units, corridors, stairways, and loading areas.
Working at height where this cannot be avoided.
These systems will be communicated to staff through training, briefings, and written procedures, and will be reviewed and updated when there are significant changes to operations or identified risks.
Safe Premises and Storage Areas
We will maintain our premises, storage units, and associated access routes in a safe condition. This includes:
Maintaining clear walkways and emergency exits.
Ensuring adequate lighting in corridors, stairwells, loading bays, and parking areas.
Controlling access to restricted or high-risk areas.
Managing storage layouts to prevent overloading, instability, or unsafe stacking.
Implementing housekeeping standards to reduce slips, trips, and falls.
Regular inspections will be carried out to identify and correct unsafe conditions, including damaged doors, uneven flooring, faulty fixtures, and any hazards arising from customer goods.
Manual Handling and Removal Operations
Manual handling and removal activities present a significant risk of injury if not properly managed. We will minimise manual handling where possible by using mechanical aids and safe loading techniques.
Staff and removal teams will receive guidance on correct lifting methods, team lifts for heavy or bulky items, and safe use of trolleys and other equipment. Loads will be assessed before moving, and employees are instructed not to lift items that are too heavy, awkward, or unstable without assistance or suitable aids.
Vehicle loading and unloading will be planned to ensure safe distribution of weight, prevention of load movement during transit, and controlled access to loading areas.
Equipment and Vehicles
All equipment used in our storage and removal operations, including lifting devices, trolleys, and vehicles, will be maintained in a safe and serviceable condition. Regular checks and planned maintenance schedules will be followed, and any defects will be reported and rectified promptly.
Only trained and authorised personnel may operate specialised equipment or vehicles. Instructions, safety notices, and operating procedures will be available and followed at all times.
Fire Safety and Emergencies
We will implement appropriate fire safety measures, including provision and maintenance of fire detection and fire-fighting equipment, clear emergency routes, and visible signage.
Emergency procedures will be established for fire, serious incidents, and other emergencies. Staff will be informed of evacuation routes, assembly points, and the role of fire wardens where appointed.
Storage of goods will be managed to reduce fire and explosion risks. Hazardous or prohibited items must not be stored, and customers will be informed of any restrictions that apply to our storage units.
Training, Information, and Consultation
Employees will receive suitable induction and ongoing training relevant to their roles, including general health and safety awareness, manual handling, use of equipment, emergency procedures, and any specific risks associated with storage or removal activities.
Information on health and safety arrangements will be communicated through notices, briefings, and written procedures. We encourage open reporting of hazards, near misses, and safety suggestions, and we will consult staff on matters affecting their health and safety.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported as soon as possible to a responsible person. An internal record will be kept and, where required, incidents will be reported to the relevant authorities.
We will investigate incidents to identify root causes and take corrective action to prevent recurrence. Lessons learned will be communicated to staff and reflected in updated procedures and risk assessments.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
We will monitor our health and safety performance through inspections, audits, incident analysis, and staff feedback. This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, premises, or legal requirements.
Storage Elephant and Castle is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety and to fostering a culture where safety is a shared responsibility and an integral part of our storage and removal services.
