Health and Safety Policy for Strawberryhill Storage

Strawberryhill Storage is committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and healthy environment for employees, customers, contractors, and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and responsibilities that support safe operations across all storage areas, offices, access routes, and shared spaces. It is designed to reduce risks, encourage responsible behaviour, and ensure that safety remains a core part of daily working practice.

The purpose of this policy is to prevent accidents, injuries, property damage, and work-related ill health by promoting careful planning, awareness, and consistent safe conduct. Health and safety is the responsibility of everyone on site, and all individuals are expected to act in a way that protects themselves and others. Strawberryhill Storage will review the policy regularly and improve procedures where needed to reflect operational changes, risk assessments, and learning from incidents.

The business will identify hazards, assess risks, and apply suitable control measures to reduce the likelihood of harm. This includes keeping storage areas clear, maintaining safe access, monitoring equipment, and ensuring that work activities are carried out in an orderly way. Where risks cannot be eliminated entirely, they will be managed through training, supervision, warning notices, and practical safeguards. Preventive action is always preferred to responding after an incident occurs.

Managers and supervisors have a duty to lead by example, enforce safe systems of work, and make sure that staff understand their responsibilities. They will ensure that suitable instructions are provided before work begins and that ongoing monitoring takes place. Employees and contractors must cooperate with safety measures, report hazards promptly, and avoid behaviour that could place others at risk. No task should be carried out unless the person responsible feels properly trained and equipped.

Safe Working Practices

Safe working at Strawberryhill Storage includes sensible manual handling, careful use of equipment, and attention to housekeeping standards. Items should be lifted and moved using correct techniques, with assistance used when loads are too heavy, bulky, or awkward. A tidy environment reduces the chance of slips, trips, and falls, so walkways, loading areas, and storage bays must remain free from obstructions. Good housekeeping is a simple but essential part of everyday risk control.

All equipment and facilities used on site must be kept in good working order. Checks and maintenance will be arranged as needed to make sure that doors, lighting, shelving, trolleys, alarms, and other operational systems remain safe to use. Faulty equipment must be taken out of service immediately and reported without delay. Electrical items should only be used in accordance with manufacturer instructions, and only where they have been approved for the intended task.

Fire Safety, Emergency Response, and Incident Reporting

Fire safety is a critical part of this policy. Suitable fire precautions will be maintained, including clear escape routes, appropriate extinguishing equipment, and routine inspections of high-risk areas. Staff must understand evacuation procedures and be ready to respond quickly in the event of fire, smoke, or another emergency. Emergency drills and awareness checks help ensure that people remain prepared and calm under pressure.

In the event of an accident, near miss, unsafe condition, or security concern, it must be reported as soon as possible so that action can be taken. Reports will be recorded, reviewed, and used to improve controls and prevent recurrence. Serious incidents will be investigated thoroughly and fairly. Strawberryhill Storage encourages a culture where reporting is seen as responsible and constructive, not as a reason for blame.

Occupational health is also an important part of overall safety. Staff should be aware of the need to manage fatigue, stress, and repetitive strain, especially where duties involve lifting, walking, standing for long periods, or repetitive administrative work. Reasonable steps will be taken to reduce exposure to harmful conditions and to support wellbeing through safe scheduling, ergonomic practices, and appropriate rest arrangements.

Personal protective equipment may be provided where risk assessments show it is necessary. When required, PPE must be worn correctly, stored properly, and replaced when damaged or worn out. However, PPE is only one layer of protection and does not replace the need for safe systems, training, or supervision. Strawberryhill Storage will always seek to control risk at source before relying on protective equipment alone.

Contractors, suppliers, and any third parties working on site are expected to meet equivalent standards of safety. Their activities must be planned so they do not create risks for staff, customers, or members of the public. Deliveries, maintenance work, and temporary access needs should be coordinated carefully. Shared responsibility helps prevent confusion and ensures that safety remains consistent across all operations.

Training and communication are central to the success of this policy. People must receive the information they need to do their jobs safely, and that information should be updated when procedures change. Safety notices, briefings, and written instructions may be used to reinforce key messages. Where necessary, supervision will be increased to support less experienced workers or those carrying out unfamiliar tasks.

All safety arrangements will be monitored through regular checks, inspections, and reviews. If problems are found, corrective actions will be prioritised according to the level of risk. This policy will be kept under review to ensure it remains effective, practical, and relevant. By working together and maintaining a strong safety culture, Strawberryhill Storage aims to provide a workplace where wellbeing, care, and responsibility are built into every activity.

The success of this policy depends on everyone understanding that safety is not a separate task but part of everyday work. Careful behaviour, prompt reporting, and respect for procedures all contribute to a safer storage environment. Each person has a role in protecting property, preventing harm, and supporting the smooth running of the business through thoughtful and responsible action.

Strawberryhill Storage expects all individuals on site to follow this policy and to treat health and safety as a shared priority. The business will continue to promote safe practice, review controls, and improve standards wherever practical. Through clear expectations and consistent action, the organisation can maintain a secure and healthy environment for everyone involved.