Storage Crews Hill Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and practices that Storage Crews Hill follows to protect employees, customers, contractors and visitors. Our work includes storage, handling, loading, unloading and removal of goods. These activities involve physical effort, vehicle movements and use of equipment, and we are committed to managing these risks responsibly.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Storage Crews Hill is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment. Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, damage to property and disruption to operations by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective controls. We aim for continual improvement in health and safety performance and compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Health and safety considerations are integrated into planning and decision making for all storage and removal activities, including site operations, vehicle use, manual handling, packing, lifting, and temporary storage arrangements at customer premises.
Management Responsibilities
The management team at Storage Crews Hill has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that suitable resources are provided. Management will:
Set clear health and safety standards for all storage and removal services, communicate those standards, and lead by example. Ensure that risk assessments are carried out, recorded and reviewed. Provide safe equipment and maintain it in good working order. Arrange appropriate training, information and supervision for employees. Investigate accidents, near misses and incidents, and implement corrective actions. Review this policy regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our activities.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including permanent, temporary and agency staff, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must:
Follow safe systems of work, site rules and instructions given by supervisors and managers. Use equipment, tools, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Cooperate with management in implementing this policy and participating in training. Report all accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards as soon as possible. Refrain from any behaviour that could compromise safety, including horseplay or misuse of equipment.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Crews Hill carries out risk assessments for all key activities, including storage operations, lifting and carrying, packing, loading and unloading vehicles, and work at customer properties. These assessments identify hazards, evaluate the level of risk and specify control measures.
Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments and communicated to staff through training, briefings and written instructions. Where necessary, method statements will be used for higher risk tasks such as the movement of large, heavy or awkward items, stair carries, and operations involving lifting equipment or vehicles working in confined areas.
Training, Information and Supervision
We provide employees with appropriate training for their roles, particularly in manual handling, use of handling aids, safe vehicle loading and unloading, and working safely at customer sites. New starters receive an induction covering general safety rules, emergency procedures, welfare facilities and reporting arrangements.
Refresher training is provided as required, especially where there are changes in equipment, working methods or legislation. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring working practices, correcting unsafe behaviour and providing guidance during day-to-day operations. Safety information is communicated through briefings, tool box talks and written notices.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Manual handling is a key part of storage and removal work. To reduce the risk of injury, Storage Crews Hill assesses typical handling tasks and implements measures such as team lifting, use of trolleys and other handling aids, and planning routes to avoid unnecessary carrying. Employees are trained in good lifting techniques and encouraged to seek assistance when needed.
All equipment, including trolleys, ramps, straps, protective materials and any mechanical aids, is selected and maintained to be suitable and safe for its intended use. Defective or damaged equipment must be removed from service and reported immediately so that repairs or replacements can be arranged.
Vehicles, Driving and Site Movements
Safe operation of vehicles is essential to our services. Drivers must hold the appropriate licence, follow company driving procedures and comply with traffic laws. Vehicles are subject to regular checks and servicing in line with manufacturer and company requirements.
Loading and unloading activities are planned to minimise reversing and reduce the risk of falls, slips and trips. Where possible, a safe area is designated for these operations, and staff are trained to guide vehicles, manage pedestrian movements and secure loads correctly before transit.
Housekeeping, Welfare and Environment
Good housekeeping is an important part of accident prevention. Storage and working areas must be kept tidy and free from unnecessary obstructions. Spills, debris and packaging materials are to be cleared promptly, and walkways kept clear to reduce slip and trip risks.
Welfare facilities are provided for employees, including access to toilets, washing facilities, drinking water and rest areas. These facilities are to be used respectfully and kept clean. Attention is given to lighting, ventilation and temperature within storage and working environments to support safe, healthy working conditions.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, injuries and dangerous occurrences must be reported without delay. Storage Crews Hill records and investigates incidents to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Findings from investigations are communicated to relevant staff and may result in updates to procedures, training or equipment.
Emergency procedures are in place for fire, evacuation and other foreseeable incidents. Employees are briefed on alarm signals, exit routes, assembly points and the location of fire-fighting and first aid equipment. Practice drills are carried out at suitable intervals to ensure that everyone understands what to do in an emergency.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Storage Crews Hill monitors health and safety performance through inspections, audits, incident analysis and employee feedback. Management reviews the effectiveness of this policy and associated procedures at regular intervals, or following significant changes in operations, legislation or incident trends.
Where improvements are identified, we will update our processes, training and communication accordingly. This policy is made available to all employees and interested parties and reflects our ongoing commitment to the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in our storage and removal activities.
