Storage Elm Park Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of Storage Elm Park to provide a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, customers and visitors. It applies to all storage, handling, loading and unloading activities carried out on our premises, including work connected with removals and the transfer of goods to and from storage units.
Policy Statement
Storage Elm Park is committed to preventing injury and ill health, protecting property and maintaining a safe workplace. We will identify and manage health and safety risks, comply with relevant legislation and continuously improve our safety performance. Health and safety is a shared responsibility and forms an integral part of our planning and service delivery, including our work with removal and transport partners.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for establishing, implementing and reviewing this Health and Safety Policy. Management will allocate appropriate resources, set clear safety objectives and monitor performance. Managers and supervisors must ensure that safe systems of work are developed, communicated and followed, especially for higher risk tasks such as manual handling, loading, unloading, vehicle movements and storage of bulky or heavy items.
Employee Responsibilities
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 actions or omissions. Employees must follow safety procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards and cooperate with any training or instruction provided. No employee is permitted to engage in unsafe practices, bypass safety controls or carry out tasks for which they are not trained or authorised.
Risk Assessment and Control
We will carry out risk assessments for all significant activities, including storage operations, movement of goods, vehicle access, and interaction with customers and contractors. Identified risks will be controlled using appropriate measures such as safe systems of work, physical safeguards, signage, training and supervision. Risk assessments will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or premises.
Safe Storage and Handling of Goods
Goods must be stored in a stable and secure manner, with attention to weight limits, stacking heights and accessibility for safe handling. Items likely to shift or topple must be secured, and walkways and emergency exits must remain clear at all times. Dangerous or prohibited items must not be stored, and any goods requiring special handling or conditions must follow specific procedures. Staff and contractors involved in removals or goods transfer must adhere to these rules when placing or retrieving items from units.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling tasks will be assessed and, where possible, reduced or mechanised. Employees and authorised contractors will receive instruction on correct lifting techniques, use of trolleys, pallet trucks and similar equipment. Overloading of equipment is not permitted. Any defects or concerns relating to handling aids or lifting equipment must be reported immediately, and faulty equipment must be removed from use until repaired or replaced.
Traffic Management and Vehicle Safety
Vehicle movements in loading and unloading areas will be managed to minimise the risk of collisions or injury. Designated routes, parking areas and loading bays must be observed by drivers, staff and customers. Reversing should be controlled and supported by use of signals or assistance when necessary. Speed limits and signage must be respected at all times. Pedestrians and vehicles must be separated where practicable, with clear walkways maintained around the site.
Workplace Environment and Housekeeping
Storage Elm Park will maintain a clean, tidy and well-organised workplace. Floors and access routes must be kept free of obstructions, spills and loose materials. Lighting, ventilation and temperature will be monitored to support safe working conditions. Waste must be disposed of in the correct containers and removed regularly. Good housekeeping is essential for safe storage and efficient removal activities.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire precautions, including alarms, extinguishers and escape routes, will be maintained and inspected at appropriate intervals. Emergency procedures will be communicated to staff and, where relevant, to contractors and visitors. Fire exits and routes must remain unobstructed. In the event of an emergency, all persons on site must follow instructions from senior staff and proceed to the designated assembly point. Drills will be held periodically to ensure familiarity with procedures.
Health, Welfare and First Aid
Suitable welfare facilities will be provided, including access to drinking water and rest areas. Adequate first aid arrangements will be maintained, with trained first aiders and stocked first aid supplies available. All accidents, injuries, near misses or incidents must be reported promptly so that they can be recorded, investigated and used to improve safety measures.
Training, Information and Supervision
Employees will receive health and safety induction training and, where appropriate, additional instruction relevant to their role. This may include training on manual handling, safe storage practices, emergency procedures and interaction with customers and removal teams. Information about risks and controls will be communicated clearly, and supervision will be provided to ensure that safe practices are consistently applied.
Contractors, Visitors and Customers
Contractors, including removal companies and transport providers, must comply with our health and safety rules while on site. Relevant information on risks and site procedures will be provided to them. Visitors and customers will be expected to follow safety instructions and signage, keep children under close supervision and refrain from entering restricted or staff-only areas. Unsafe behaviour may result in removal from the premises.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Storage Elm Park will monitor health and safety performance through inspections, incident data and feedback from employees, contractors and customers. This policy and associated procedures will be reviewed regularly and updated where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, operations or best practice. Everyone involved in our storage and removal services is encouraged to raise safety concerns and suggest improvements.
This policy is approved by management and is made available to employees, contractors, customers and visitors upon request.
