Storage Belgravia Health and Safety Policy
Storage Belgravia is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for employees, contractors, customers and visitors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across our storage and removal activities, including handling, transport, loading, unloading and on-site operations.
Policy Statement
We aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective control measures. Health and safety is an integral part of how we plan and deliver our services, including storage management, packing, lifting, moving goods and operating vehicles.
Management will provide the resources, training and supervision needed to maintain high standards of safety and to ensure that health and safety responsibilities are understood and fulfilled at all levels of the business.
Responsibilities
The overall responsibility for health and safety rests with senior management, who ensure that this policy is implemented, monitored and reviewed regularly. Management duties include setting clear safety objectives, providing appropriate equipment and facilities, and ensuring that procedures are followed.
Supervisors are responsible for day-to-day application of this policy, including briefing staff on safe systems of work, checking the condition of equipment and vehicles, and addressing any unsafe behaviour or conditions immediately.
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. Staff must follow training and instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards or incidents without delay and cooperate fully with any health and safety investigations or improvements.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out regular risk assessments covering our storage facilities and removal operations. These assessments consider activities such as manual handling, use of trolleys and lifting aids, movement of vehicles, packing and unpacking, working at height, and handling bulky or awkward items.
Based on these assessments, Storage Belgravia establishes safe systems of work and standard operating procedures. These are communicated to employees during induction and through ongoing training and supervision. Where appropriate, written method statements are prepared for higher-risk tasks, including complex removals, restricted access moves or operations involving heavy or fragile items.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of storage and removal activities and presents a significant risk of injury if not properly controlled. We train our staff in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, assessing load weight and stability, and making use of mechanical aids such as sack trucks, dollies and platform trolleys.
Employees are instructed to avoid unnecessary lifting, to break loads down where practicable, and to stop work if a load is too heavy or awkward to move safely. Supervisors must ensure that adequate staffing and equipment are available for large, heavy or delicate items.
Vehicles, Driving and On-Site Safety
Storage Belgravia ensures that vehicles used for removals and deliveries are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow company driving procedures and conduct pre-use checks on vehicles before each shift.
Loading and unloading operations are planned to minimise reversing, reduce manual handling risks and protect the public. When working on customer premises or at third-party sites, staff must follow local safety rules and take care to prevent damage or injury, including the use of ramps, securing loads correctly and maintaining clear walkways.
Workplace Environment and Equipment
We maintain our storage premises in a clean and orderly condition, ensuring that access routes, stairways and fire exits are kept clear at all times. Lighting, ventilation and temperature are monitored to support a safe and comfortable working environment.
All equipment, including lifting aids, racking, trolleys and packaging tools, is selected, inspected and maintained to ensure safe operation. Defective equipment is taken out of service immediately and reported for repair or replacement.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire safety is managed through a combination of risk assessment, appropriate fire detection and alarm systems, fire-fighting equipment and clear evacuation procedures. Exits and escape routes are signed and kept unobstructed.
Staff are trained in emergency procedures, including how to raise the alarm, evacuate the building and assist customers and visitors to a place of safety. Fire drills are conducted periodically to ensure that procedures are understood and effective.
Health, Welfare and First Aid
Storage Belgravia recognises its duty to protect the health and welfare of employees and others who may be affected by our activities. We provide suitable welfare facilities and encourage staff to report any work-related health concerns at an early stage.
Appropriately trained first aid personnel and first aid equipment are made available, and all accidents, incidents and near misses are recorded and reviewed. Where necessary, corrective and preventive measures are implemented to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Information, Instruction and Training
All new employees receive health and safety induction training relevant to their role, including guidance on storage operations, removal procedures, manual handling and emergency arrangements. Refresher training is provided periodically, and additional training is given when new equipment, vehicles or processes are introduced.
We provide clear instructions for tasks that carry higher risks, and supervisors monitor compliance with these instructions. Staff are encouraged to raise any questions or concerns about safety and to participate actively in improving health and safety performance.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Storage Belgravia values the input of employees, customers and contractors in identifying hazards and improving safety. We encourage feedback and suggestions on safe working practices and respond promptly to any health and safety concerns raised.
This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice, our services or the nature of our operations. Our objective is continual improvement in health and safety performance across all aspects of our storage and removals work.
