Health and Safety Policy for Storage Motspur Park
Storage Motspur Park is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with storage facilities, handling of goods and removal operations. Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by maintaining high standards of safety, cleanliness and organisation.
Policy Statement and Objectives
We recognise our duty to manage health and safety in a systematic and proactive way. Our key objectives are to identify hazards, assess risks and implement effective controls for all storage and removal activities. We aim to continuously improve our performance and to promote a positive health and safety culture throughout the organisation.
Health and safety is an integral part of how we operate. Safe working practices, safe storage of goods and safe movement of people and vehicles are fundamental to the services we provide.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management holds overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented, maintained and reviewed. Management will provide the resources, information and training necessary to support safe operations within the facility and during any removal or transport work carried out by our teams.
Managers are responsible for
Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out and kept up to date for storage areas, loading zones and removal tasks.
Ensuring that equipment used for lifting, loading and transporting goods is suitable, properly maintained and inspected as required.
Setting clear safety standards, communicating them to staff and monitoring performance.
Responding promptly to health and safety concerns raised by employees, customers or contractors.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share a responsibility for health and safety. Every member of staff must take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Employees are expected to
Follow all safe working procedures and instructions provided during induction and ongoing training.
Use equipment, tools and personal protective equipment correctly and for their intended purpose.
Report any hazards, near misses, faulty equipment or unsafe conditions to their manager without delay.
Cooperate with management in implementing health and safety measures and participating in training.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Motspur Park is committed to ensuring that customers and visitors can access the premises safely. We manage customer access to storage units, reception areas and loading zones to reduce the risk of slips, trips, falls and collisions with vehicles or handling equipment.
Customers and visitors must follow all safety signage and instructions from staff, especially in loading areas and where vehicles and trolleys operate. Children must be supervised at all times and are not permitted in loading zones or other restricted areas.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We undertake regular risk assessments covering storage units, corridors, stairways, lifts, loading bays, external areas and any removal work undertaken for customers. These assessments consider risks associated with manual handling, working at height, use of trolleys and handling equipment, vehicle movements, fire safety and security.
Where significant risks are identified we implement safe systems of work, including clear procedures for lifting and carrying items, stacking and storing goods safely, operating loading equipment and managing vehicle and pedestrian routes.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of storage and removal activities and presents a significant risk of injury if not done correctly. We provide training to staff on proper lifting techniques, use of mechanical aids and team lifting. Heavy or awkward items must not be lifted alone where a mechanical aid or additional assistance is available.
We encourage customers using our storage facilities to follow safe lifting practices and to ask staff for guidance where appropriate. Heavy items should be loaded at waist height where possible and stacked in a stable manner.
Equipment and Vehicle Safety
All equipment used in our storage facility and in any removal or transport work is selected, maintained and inspected to ensure it is fit for purpose. This includes trolleys, sack trucks, lifting aids, loading ramps and vehicles used to support removal services.
Only trained and authorised personnel may operate mechanical handling equipment or drive company vehicles. Pre use checks are carried out and any defects are reported and addressed promptly. Unsafe equipment is taken out of service until repaired or replaced.
Housekeeping and Premises Safety
Good housekeeping is essential to minimise risks. We maintain storage areas, corridors and loading bays in a clean and orderly condition. Routes are kept clear of obstructions, and any spillages are cleaned promptly. Lighting levels are maintained to ensure safe visibility in all areas used by customers, staff and contractors.
We monitor the condition of doors, gates, floors, stairs and handrails and arrange repairs where necessary to maintain safe access and egress.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
We have measures in place to reduce the risk of fire and to protect people in the event of an emergency. This includes appropriate fire detection and alarm systems, clearly marked escape routes, emergency lighting and fire extinguishers located at suitable points within the premises.
Staff receive training on fire safety and evacuation procedures. Customers and visitors must familiarise themselves with the location of exits and follow staff instructions if an alarm sounds. Obstruction of fire exits or escape routes is strictly prohibited.
Contractors and Third Parties
Contractors working on site, such as maintenance providers or external removal teams, are required to comply with our health and safety rules. We communicate relevant information about site hazards and monitor contractor activities to ensure that they do not compromise the safety of others.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents and near misses on our premises or involving our services must be reported to management as soon as possible. We keep records of incidents and investigate them to determine causes and to identify measures that can prevent recurrence.
Where necessary we will revise risk assessments and procedures in light of incident findings and share any lessons learned with staff.
Training, Supervision and Communication
Storage Motspur Park provides relevant health and safety training to all employees, including induction training for new starters and task specific instruction for those involved in storage operations and removal activities. Refresher training is provided as needed, and additional training is given when new equipment or procedures are introduced.
Supervisors monitor working practices and provide guidance to help maintain consistent safety standards. Health and safety information is communicated through briefings, signage and written instructions.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
We regularly monitor our health and safety performance through inspections, audits and review of incident data. This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice or the nature of our operations.
Everyone connected with Storage Motspur Park has a role in maintaining and improving safety standards. By working together, we aim to provide secure storage and removal services in an environment that protects the wellbeing of all.
