Health and Safety Policy for Storage Strawberry Hill
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of Storage Strawberry Hill to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, contractors, customers, visitors, and any other persons who may be affected by our operations, including storage services and associated removal activities. Our aim is to provide safe and healthy working conditions, prevent accidents and work-related ill health, and promote a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety performance.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Storage Strawberry Hill recognises its duty of care and legal responsibilities in relation to health and safety. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that our facilities, vehicles, equipment, and working practices do not pose unacceptable risks. Our key health and safety objectives are to prevent injury, prevent damage to property, and minimise the likelihood of occupational ill health arising from our activities, including manual handling, loading, unloading, and storage operations.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes establishing appropriate procedures, allocating adequate resources, and ensuring competent supervision across all storage and removal services. Management will regularly review risk assessments, incident reports, and safe systems of work to verify that controls remain effective and proportionate to the level of risk.
Managers and supervisors must lead by example, promote a positive safety culture, and respond promptly to any reported hazards or concerns. They are required to ensure that staff and contractors understand and follow the health and safety rules applicable to storage units, loading bays, parking areas, and wherever removal vehicles operate.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a legal and moral responsibility to work safely and to protect the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must:
Follow all safety instructions, safe systems of work, and company procedures at all times.
Use equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Take reasonable care when moving, lifting, or transporting items during storage and removals activities, and request assistance or mechanical aids for heavy or awkward loads.
Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions, and health concerns to management without delay.
Cooperate fully with any investigation, training, or monitoring related to health and safety.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Strawberry Hill will routinely identify hazards and assess risks associated with its operations, including but not limited to manual handling, slips and trips, working around vehicles, use of trolleys, use of ladders, and the storage of goods within units. Risk assessments will be documented and reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to work processes, services, or premises.
Safe systems of work will be implemented to control identified risks. These may include loading and unloading procedures for removal vehicles, restrictions on certain types of hazardous goods, and clear rules for stacking, packing, and securing items within storage units to prevent collapse or obstruction of walkways and fire exits.
Training, Information, and Supervision
All employees will receive suitable and sufficient health and safety training relevant to their role. This includes induction training, refresher training, and specific instruction on manual handling, safe use of handling equipment, vehicle awareness, and emergency procedures. Additional training may be provided to staff involved in more complex removal tasks or the operation of mechanical aids.
Information on health and safety policies, emergency arrangements, and site rules will be communicated clearly to employees, contractors, and customers through signage, written guidance, and verbal briefings where appropriate. Supervisors will monitor compliance and provide guidance to support safe behaviour.
Manual Handling and Removals Safety
Handling, lifting, and transporting items is central to storage and removal activities and can present a risk of injury if not managed properly. Storage Strawberry Hill will minimise manual handling risks by:
Encouraging the use of trolleys, dollies, and other handling aids for heavy or bulky items.
Providing instruction on correct lifting techniques and team lifting for larger loads.
Planning removal and delivery routes to avoid unnecessary carrying distances, steps, or obstructions where possible.
Assessing the suitability of items for storage, with particular attention to weight, size, and stability.
Premises, Equipment, and Vehicle Safety
Our premises, including storage units, corridors, entrances, loading bays, and external areas, will be maintained in a safe condition. Floors and access routes will be kept clear, well lit, and free from foreseeable slip and trip hazards. Fire exits and escape routes must remain unobstructed at all times.
All equipment used in storage and removal operations, such as trolleys, sack trucks, ladders, and any mechanical lifting aids, will be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. Only trained and authorised personnel may operate specific equipment where required.
Vehicles used in connection with removal services will be maintained to a high standard and operated in a safe and considerate manner. Drivers and loaders must follow safe loading practices to ensure that goods are secured and weight limits are not exceeded.
Hazardous Substances and Prohibited Items
Certain items may pose increased risks to health and safety and are therefore restricted or prohibited within our storage facilities and vehicles. Customers and staff must comply with the company rules regarding hazardous or illegal items, flammable or explosive substances, corrosive materials, and items likely to deteriorate and cause contamination or odour.
Where permitted substances present residual risks, appropriate control measures will be implemented, including safe handling, labelling, and segregation as necessary.
Emergency Procedures and First Aid
Storage Strawberry Hill maintains clear emergency procedures for fire, serious incidents, and other foreseeable emergencies. These include evacuation routes, assembly points, and instructions displayed throughout the premises. Staff must familiarise themselves with these procedures and participate in drills or training as required.
First aid arrangements will be provided, including suitable equipment and trained first aiders or appointed persons. All accidents and incidents, however minor, must be recorded and investigated to identify causes and prevent recurrence.
Consultation, Monitoring, and Continuous Improvement
We will consult with employees on health and safety matters, encouraging feedback on potential improvements and the reporting of hazards. Management will monitor health and safety performance through regular inspections, audits, and review of incident data. Lessons learned from incidents, near misses, and customer feedback will be used to update procedures and training.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever significant changes occur in our operations, legal requirements, or best practice. Updated versions will be communicated to staff and made available to customers and other interested parties on request.
Policy Acceptance
By using the services of Storage Strawberry Hill or working on our premises, employees, contractors, and customers agree to comply with the principles and rules set out in this Health and Safety Policy. Everyone has a role to play in maintaining a safe, secure, and well managed environment for storage and removal activities.
