Storage Pentonville Health and Safety Policy
Storage Pentonville is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, visitors and customers. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks in our storage facilities and during removal and related handling activities. Our aim is to prevent injury, protect health and promote safe working practices in all aspects of our operations.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The primary objective of this policy is to ensure that work carried out by or on behalf of Storage Pentonville is conducted in a manner that protects people, property and the environment. We will identify and control risks associated with storage, lifting, transporting and handling of goods, including those involved in our removal services, loading and unloading, and associated office and yard activities.
We will provide and maintain safe premises, equipment and systems of work, and ensure that all staff are competent to perform their tasks safely. We will promote a positive safety culture in which everyone understands their responsibilities and is encouraged to raise health and safety concerns.
Management Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the senior management of Storage Pentonville. Management will ensure that appropriate resources are provided to implement this policy and to maintain safety standards in our storage facilities and removal operations.
Management responsibilities include conducting and reviewing risk assessments, ensuring that safe working procedures are documented and followed, providing necessary training and supervision, and monitoring compliance. Managers will lead by example, ensuring that safety considerations are integrated into planning, scheduling and decision making.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Employees must follow all safety instructions, use equipment and protective gear correctly, and report hazards, accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions without delay.
Employees must cooperate with Storage Pentonville to enable the business to meet its legal and policy obligations. This includes attending relevant training, participating in safety briefings, complying with safe systems of work, and refraining from any behaviour that could put themselves, colleagues, customers or the public at risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Storage Pentonville conducts regular risk assessments covering our storage units, loading areas, offices, vehicles and any removal or handling tasks. We will identify potential hazards such as manual handling, slip and trip risks, falls from height, vehicle movements, fire, and the handling of heavy, bulky or awkward items.
Based on these assessments, we develop safe systems of work for tasks including lifting and carrying, use of trolleys and handling equipment, packing and stacking, loading and unloading vehicles and moving goods within storage areas. These procedures will be communicated to staff and, where relevant, to contractors and customers using our services.
Training, Information and Supervision
We will provide suitable training and instruction so that employees can perform their work safely and competently. This may include induction training, manual handling techniques, safe use of equipment, vehicle and driving safety, fire safety, emergency procedures and any task-specific training required for our storage and removal activities.
Supervisors are responsible for monitoring work practices to ensure that procedures are followed and that safety standards are maintained. Further guidance and refresher training will be provided when new equipment, processes or risks are introduced, or when monitoring shows that additional support is needed.
Equipment, Vehicles and Workplace Safety
Storage Pentonville will ensure that all work equipment, including lifting aids, trolleys, racking and any mechanical handling equipment, is suitable for its intended use, properly maintained and inspected at appropriate intervals. Defective equipment must be reported immediately and taken out of service where it presents a risk.
Our vehicles used for removal and transport activities will be maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition. Loads will be secured to prevent shifting during transit, and loading limits will be observed. Drivers will be expected to follow safe driving practices and observe traffic and parking rules at all times.
Manual Handling and Use of Storage Areas
Manual handling tasks, such as lifting, carrying and stacking, are a key part of storage and removal operations. We will seek to avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable by using mechanical aids or adjusting the layout and planning of tasks. Where manual handling cannot be avoided, it will be assessed and controlled, and staff will receive appropriate instruction.
Storage units and common areas must be kept tidy and accessible. Goods must be stacked safely, with heavier items stored at lower levels to reduce the risk of strains and falling items. Walkways, fire exits and loading bays must be kept clear of obstructions at all times.
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
Storage Pentonville will maintain appropriate fire safety arrangements, including suitable fire detection and firefighting equipment, clearly marked escape routes and emergency lighting where required. Regular checks and tests will be carried out to ensure that fire safety measures remain effective.
Emergency procedures will be communicated to staff and displayed on site. All persons on the premises must follow evacuation instructions in the event of an alarm. Fire doors must not be wedged open, and combustible materials should be stored safely and kept away from ignition sources.
Contractors, Visitors and Customers
Contractors working on our premises must comply with this Health and Safety Policy and any site-specific rules. We will provide relevant safety information and, where necessary, request details of their own safety arrangements. Contractors must work in a manner that does not endanger our staff, customers or the public.
Visitors and customers using our storage facilities or engaging our removal services will be expected to follow safety instructions, observe signage, and cooperate with staff directions. Children must be supervised at all times on site. Customers are encouraged to seek advice from our staff on safe loading, stacking and access to their stored goods.
Accident Reporting and Policy Review
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible so that they can be recorded, investigated and, where necessary, followed by corrective actions. This helps us to identify trends, improve controls and prevent recurrence.
This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes in our operations, services or legal requirements. Revised versions will be communicated to staff and made available to interested parties. Storage Pentonville is committed to the continual improvement of health and safety performance across all storage and removal activities.
