Storage Harold Park Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety policy sets out the standards and procedures adopted by Storage Harold Park to provide a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, customers and visitors. It applies to all storage, removals, handling, loading, unloading and associated activities carried out at our premises and within our service area.
Policy Statement
Storage Harold Park is committed to preventing injury and ill health arising from our work activities. We will identify and manage risks, provide appropriate information and training, and maintain our facilities, vehicles and equipment in a safe condition. Health and safety considerations will form an integral part of our planning, decision-making and day-to-day operations.
We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance and to foster a culture in which safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Responsibilities
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Harold Park is responsible for implementing this policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are made available to support it. Management will
• Establish and review health and safety objectives and targets.
• Ensure risk assessments are carried out, documented and reviewed regularly.
• Provide appropriate training, instruction and supervision.
• Maintain safe systems of work, including for lifting, carrying and loading activities.
• Ensure all vehicles, handling equipment and storage facilities are properly maintained and inspected.
• Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and implement corrective actions.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must
• Follow all safety procedures and instructions provided by Storage Harold Park.
• Use equipment, machinery and vehicles only when authorised and trained to do so.
• Wear any required personal protective equipment correctly.
• Report hazards, defects, incidents and near misses to management promptly.
• Refrain from any behaviour that could endanger themselves or others, including horseplay or unsafe shortcuts.
• Cooperate with management to enable compliance with health and safety obligations.
Contractors and Visitors
Contractors and visitors must comply with the safety rules and instructions applicable on site. Contractors are required to carry out their work in a safe manner, use appropriate equipment and report any incidents or hazards they encounter.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Harold Park undertakes risk assessments for all significant activities, including storage operations, removals, vehicle movements, manual handling, use of lifting equipment and work at height. These assessments are used to develop safe systems of work that reduce risks as far as reasonably practicable.
Risk assessments will be reviewed periodically and following any significant change in operations, introduction of new equipment or occurrence of a serious incident.
Storage Facilities and Site Safety
The layout and management of our storage facilities and yards are designed to minimise risks to customers, staff and contractors. Measures include
• Clear marking of pedestrian and vehicle routes.
• Adequate lighting in access areas, corridors and loading bays.
• Housekeeping standards to keep walkways free from obstructions and trip hazards.
• Secure stacking of goods and use of racking systems in line with manufacturer guidance.
• Safe access to storage units, including steps, ramps and doors maintained in good order.
• Control of hazardous substances and materials, where relevant.
Vehicle Movements and Removals Operations
Our removals and transport activities are planned and carried out to protect staff, customers, the public and property. Control measures include
• Only competent, authorised drivers operating company vehicles.
• Pre-use checks of vehicles and lifting aids such as sack trucks and trolleys.
• Safe loading and securing of items to prevent movement during transit.
• Use of appropriate lifting techniques and team lifts for heavy or awkward items.
• Planning of access routes at collection and delivery sites, including use of banksmen where necessary.
• Compliance with relevant road safety rules and parking restrictions during operations.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a core part of storage and removals work and is managed to reduce the risk of injury. Employees are trained in safe lifting and carrying techniques, assessment of loads and use of aids. Where practicable, mechanical aids are used to reduce manual handling demands.
All equipment, including pallet trucks, trolleys, ladders and other handling devices, is selected for suitability, maintained regularly and removed from service if defective.
Training, Information and Supervision
Storage Harold Park provides employees with induction training and ongoing instruction relevant to their roles. This may include
• General health and safety awareness.
• Fire safety and emergency arrangements.
• Manual handling and safe lifting practices.
• Safe use of vehicles, plant and equipment.
• Incident reporting and first aid arrangements.
Supervisors monitor work activities to ensure that safe systems are followed and that staff understand and apply the training received.
Fire Safety and Emergencies
Procedures are in place to deal with fire and other emergencies at our premises. These cover evacuation routes, assembly points, alarm systems, fire extinguishers and the roles of appointed persons or fire marshals. Fire risk assessments are carried out and reviewed regularly.
All persons on site must familiarise themselves with emergency instructions and follow them immediately in the event of an alarm or instruction to evacuate.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported as soon as possible, whether they involve employees, customers, contractors or visitors. Storage Harold Park will record, investigate and analyse such events to identify causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.
Health, Welfare and Wellbeing
Storage Harold Park recognises the importance of general health, welfare and wellbeing. We strive to provide adequate welfare facilities, encourage safe working practices that reduce stress and fatigue, and consider individual capabilities when allocating tasks.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
The effectiveness of this Health and Safety policy is monitored through inspections, audits, review of incident data and feedback from staff and customers. Management will review the policy periodically and whenever significant changes occur in our operations or legal requirements.
By working together and following the arrangements set out in this policy, Storage Harold Park aims to maintain a safe, healthy and secure environment across all storage and removals activities.
