Storage Gidea Park Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures that Storage Gidea Park follows to protect employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. It applies to all storage operations, removal services, office activities, and vehicle movements carried out by the company.
Our aim is to provide a safe and healthy working environment, prevent accidents and work-related ill health, and continuously improve our health and safety performance.
Management Responsibilities and Commitment
Senior management is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, maintained, and periodically reviewed. Adequate resources are provided so that health and safety standards are upheld across warehouses, storage units, vehicles, and removal services.
Management will:
Set clear health and safety objectives and review performance against them, ensure risk assessments are carried out and updated, provide appropriate equipment and protective measures, and make sure employees receive suitable information, instruction, and training. Management will also promote a culture where safety is an integral part of planning and delivering storage and removal services.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Staff must cooperate fully with the company in meeting legal and policy requirements.
Employees are expected to follow safe systems of work and site rules, use equipment correctly, report hazards, accidents, and near misses without delay, and attend health and safety training and briefings. They must not interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety, or welfare.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Risk assessments are carried out for key activities including storage of goods, warehouse operations, manual handling, loading and unloading vehicles, driving and route planning, use of trolleys, lifts and handling equipment, working at height where applicable, and office-based tasks.
The findings of risk assessments are used to create safe systems of work, which are communicated to staff and, where relevant, to contractors. These systems are periodically reviewed, particularly after incidents, near misses, or significant changes in operations.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of storage and removals work. To minimise the risk of injury, we seek to avoid hazardous lifting where possible, for example by using trolleys or mechanical aids, reducing load weights, and planning routes in advance.
Where manual handling is unavoidable, employees receive training in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, and assessing the load before moving it. Heavy, awkward, or unstable items are only handled by trained staff and, where necessary, with appropriate lifting equipment.
Vehicles, Driving, and Loading
Our removal services involve the operation of vehicles for collection, transport, and delivery of customer belongings. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow road safety rules, and comply with company procedures for vehicle checks and journey planning.
Before each trip, drivers carry out basic vehicle safety checks including tyres, lights, and securing equipment where applicable. Loads must be evenly distributed and securely restrained to prevent movement during transit. Employees involved in loading and unloading must use safe techniques and follow designated traffic and loading bay arrangements at depots and customer locations.
Storage Facilities and Site Safety
Our storage sites are managed to maintain safe access and a tidy environment. Aisles and exits are kept clear, and materials are stored so that they are stable and do not present a risk of collapse or falling items.
We monitor housekeeping, lighting, and floor conditions to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Safety information is displayed where required, and emergency routes and exits are clearly indicated and kept unobstructed at all times.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Fire risk assessments are carried out for each site. Appropriate control measures such as fire detection systems and extinguishers are provided in line with regulatory requirements.
Emergency procedures, including evacuation routes and assembly points, are communicated to staff and, where necessary, to visitors and contractors. Employees are trained in fire and emergency procedures, and drills are conducted at suitable intervals to confirm that arrangements are effective.
Welfare, Health, and Training
Storage Gidea Park provides welfare facilities such as toilets, wash areas, and rest facilities that are kept in a clean and hygienic condition. Drinking water is made available to staff.
Employees receive relevant health and safety training, including induction training for new starters, job-specific instructions for removal crews and warehouse teams, and refresher training as required. Additional training is provided where work changes or new risks are identified.
Visitors, Customers, and Contractors
All visitors, including customers attending storage sites, must follow site safety instructions. Access to operational areas may be restricted or supervised where necessary to protect visitors and staff.
Contractors working on site must comply with our health and safety requirements and provide evidence of their own arrangements where appropriate. Work is coordinated to minimise risk to everyone present.
Accident Reporting and Continuous Improvement
All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported promptly to a responsible person. They are recorded and investigated so that root causes can be identified and corrective actions implemented.
We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety. This policy and related procedures are reviewed on a regular basis and whenever necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, or our operating methods.
By following this Health and Safety Policy, Storage Gidea Park aims to provide a secure environment for storage customers, a safe and professional removal service, and a healthy workplace for all employees.
