Storage Cheam Health and Safety Policy
Storage Cheam is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all staff, contractors, visitors and customers using our storage and removals services. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with our premises, vehicles, equipment and working practices.
Policy Statement
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm arising from our activities. We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance through effective planning, implementation, monitoring and review. Compliance with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice is a minimum standard, not a goal.
Scope of the Policy
This policy applies to all Storage Cheam operations, including storage facilities, offices, warehouses, loading bays, on-site handling of goods, and removals activities carried out at customer locations or during transport. It covers permanent and temporary employees, agency staff, contractors and any other person working under our control.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Cheam has overall responsibility for health and safety. Management will provide adequate resources, information, instruction, supervision and training to ensure that this policy is effectively implemented. Managers must:
Promote a positive health and safety culture in all areas of the business.
Ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out, recorded and reviewed.
Implement safe systems of work for storage, handling, lifting, driving and customer-facing activities.
Maintain premises, vehicles, equipment and welfare facilities in a safe condition.
Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and act on findings to prevent recurrence.
Consult with staff on health and safety matters and encourage feedback.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has 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. All staff must:
Follow safety instructions, procedures and training at all times.
Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly.
Report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents and near misses without delay.
Cooperate with management in meeting health and safety requirements.
Refrain from horseplay, misuse of equipment or any behaviour that could compromise safety.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Cheam will conduct and maintain risk assessments for all significant hazards associated with storage and removals operations. These include manual handling of furniture and goods, loading and unloading vehicles, working in confined or stacked storage spaces, movement of vehicles in yards and at customer premises, and working at height where applicable.
Control measures identified by risk assessments will be incorporated into documented safe systems of work, including clear procedures for lifting and carrying, securing loads in vehicles, stacking and accessing stored goods, and managing traffic flows in and around our facilities. These procedures will be communicated to all relevant staff and monitored for compliance.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key element of our storage and removals service. To reduce the risk of injury, we will:
Provide training in safe lifting techniques and team handling.
Use appropriate handling aids such as trolleys, dollies and lifting equipment where reasonably practicable.
Plan removals work to minimise excessive lifting, carrying distances and awkward postures.
Maintain handling equipment in safe working order with regular inspections.
Where mechanical lifting equipment is used, only trained and authorised personnel may operate it in line with safe operating procedures.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
Safe operation of vehicles is essential to our removals and storage business. Storage Cheam will ensure that:
All drivers are competent, suitably licensed and familiar with their vehicles.
Vehicles are maintained, inspected and serviced in line with manufacturers recommendations and legal requirements.
Loads are properly assessed, distributed and secured to prevent shifting during transit.
Parking, loading and unloading at customer premises are planned to minimise risk to staff, customers and the public.
Drivers follow safe driving practices, observe speed limits and comply with road safety regulations.
Workplace Safety and Housekeeping
Our storage facilities, offices and yards will be kept clean, orderly and free from unnecessary hazards. This includes:
Keeping walkways, fire exits and emergency routes clear at all times.
Ensuring storage areas are organised, with goods stacked safely and within recommended heights.
Controlling slip, trip and fall risks through proper maintenance, cleaning and lighting.
Managing noise, dust and other environmental factors as far as reasonably practicable.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Cheam will identify fire risks and implement prevention and protection measures appropriate to our operations. This includes the provision and maintenance of suitable fire detection and firefighting equipment, clear evacuation routes and signage, and designated assembly points. All staff will receive fire safety information, including how to raise the alarm, the location of exits and the steps to take in an emergency. Fire drills and emergency exercises will be carried out periodically to confirm that procedures are effective.
Training, Information and Supervision
Health and safety training will be provided on induction and refreshed at suitable intervals, especially where there are changes to tasks, equipment or procedures. Training will cover general workplace safety, manual handling, safe use of equipment, vehicle safety, fire safety and any other relevant topics. Supervisors will monitor working practices to ensure adherence to training and procedures, and will provide guidance and support where needed.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses that occur in connection with Storage Cheam activities must be reported as soon as possible. We will maintain accurate records, investigate causes and take corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Where required, incidents will be reported to the appropriate enforcing authorities in line with legal obligations.
Health and Wellbeing
Storage Cheam recognises that health and safety includes both physical and mental wellbeing. We will seek to manage workload, working hours and job demands responsibly, and encourage open communication about any concerns. Where practicable, adjustments will be considered to support individuals with specific health needs.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Our health and safety performance will be monitored through inspections, audits, incident statistics and staff feedback. This health and safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, operations or best practice. Revised versions will be communicated to all staff to ensure ongoing understanding and compliance.
By working together, Storage Cheam aims to ensure that all storage and removals activities are carried out safely, protecting our people, our customers and the wider community.
