Storage Hornsey Health and Safety Policy
Storage Hornsey is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, customers, visitors, and contractors. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across our storage and removal-related activities, including handling, transporting, loading, and unloading items for domestic and commercial clients.
We recognise that effective health and safety management is essential to the success of our operations and to maintaining the confidence of everyone who uses our services. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing appropriate control measures.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Storage Hornsey will work to:
Provide and maintain safe premises, vehicles, plant, and equipment used in the provision of storage and removal services.
Ensure that all lifting, carrying, packing, and moving of items is conducted in a safe and controlled manner.
Prevent accidents, injuries, and cases of work-related ill health through risk assessment and proactive management.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage reporting of hazards and near misses.
Provide clear information, instruction, and training so that employees can work safely and understand their responsibilities.
Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice.
Management Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety lies with the management of Storage Hornsey. Management will provide leadership, resources, and support to implement this policy and to ensure continuous improvement in health and safety performance.
Management responsibilities include:
Ensuring that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for all key activities, including storage operations and removal services.
Reviewing and updating safe systems of work for tasks such as lifting, loading, packing, securing loads, and operating equipment.
Ensuring that staff are appropriately trained and competent to carry out their roles safely, including manual handling and safe driving practices.
Providing and maintaining personal protective equipment where required, and ensuring its correct use.
Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
Monitoring compliance with this policy through inspections, audits, and performance reviews.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee at Storage Hornsey has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. Employees are expected to:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided by the company.
Use equipment, vehicles, and materials in a safe and responsible manner.
Wear any personal protective equipment issued for specific tasks.
Report unsafe conditions, defects, or hazards to their manager without delay.
Immediately report accidents, incidents, and near misses, however minor, so that they can be investigated.
Refrain from any act or omission that could endanger themselves, colleagues, customers, or members of the public.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Storage Hornsey conducts risk assessments for all significant activities, including the handling and storage of goods, removals, vehicle operations, and work at customer premises. These assessments consider potential hazards and identify measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.
Safe working practices cover:
Manual handling, lifting, and carrying techniques to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Safe packing and stacking of items in storage units and vehicles to prevent falls, collapses, or damage.
Use of trolleys, lifting aids, and other equipment to minimise strain and improve efficiency.
Safe loading, securing, and unloading of vehicles used for removal and delivery services.
Housekeeping standards to keep walkways, access routes, and work areas clear and free of obstruction.
Vehicles, Driving, and Transport Safety
For removal and transport activities, Storage Hornsey is committed to safe vehicle use and road safety. Vehicles are maintained regularly and inspected to ensure they are safe and fit for use. Drivers are expected to:
Hold the appropriate licence and be medically fit to drive.
Conduct pre-use checks and report any faults immediately.
Adhere to speed limits, driving regulations, and company driving standards.
Ensure loads are correctly distributed and securely fastened before moving vehicles.
Avoid using mobile devices while driving unless a legally compliant hands-free system is used and it is safe to do so.
Customer and Visitor Safety
Storage Hornsey takes reasonable steps to ensure that customers and visitors are not exposed to unnecessary risks while on our premises or during removal operations. This includes:
Maintaining clear signage and guidance regarding access, parking, and restricted areas.
Keeping floors, stairs, and walkways in good condition and free from slip and trip hazards.
Managing the movement of vehicles and pedestrians in and around loading bays and storage areas.
Ensuring that customers are informed of any safety requirements relevant to their visit or service.
Emergency Procedures
Storage Hornsey maintains procedures for dealing with emergencies, including fire, accidents, and other serious incidents. Staff receive training on emergency arrangements and their specific roles, such as raising the alarm, evacuation, and assisting customers and visitors.
Emergency procedures include:
Clear instructions on evacuation routes and assembly points.
Regular checks and maintenance of fire safety equipment where provided.
Prompt contact with emergency services when required.
Recording and investigating emergency incidents to prevent recurrence.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We provide appropriate training and information to all employees to ensure they understand the health and safety risks associated with their role and how to control them. This may include induction training, manual handling, use of equipment, working at height, and safe customer interaction during removal and storage operations.
Supervisors and managers are responsible for monitoring work practices, providing guidance, and ensuring that staff follow company procedures. Refresher training is provided when required, and when there are changes to equipment, processes, or legislation.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, or company operations. Storage Hornsey is committed to continuous improvement and welcomes feedback from employees, customers, and contractors to help enhance our health and safety performance.
By following this policy and working together, we aim to maintain a safe, healthy, and secure environment for everyone involved in our storage and removal services.
