Storage Highbury Health and Safety Policy
Storage Highbury is committed to maintaining high standards of health, safety, and welfare for all employees, contractors, visitors, and customers using our storage and removal services. We recognise our duty to identify, assess, and control risks arising from our operations, and to foster a safety culture where everyone understands their responsibilities and acts to prevent harm.
Policy Aim and Scope
This policy sets out the principles and arrangements we follow to manage health and safety across Storage Highbury premises and activities, including storage operations, handling of goods, and removal services. It applies to all employees at every level, as well as agency workers, contractors, and any person who may be affected by our work.
We will regularly review and update this policy to reflect changes in our operations, best practice, and applicable legal requirements.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Storage Highbury has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining effective health and safety systems. Management will:
Provide and maintain safe premises, equipment, and working conditions, including storage areas, loading bays, vehicles, and access routes.
Ensure that significant risks are identified, assessed, and controlled through risk assessments and safe systems of work.
Provide appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision to enable employees to work safely and competently.
Set clear health and safety objectives and monitor performance, taking corrective action where necessary.
Allocate adequate resources to health and safety, including time, personnel, and equipment.
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 work or omissions. Staff are expected to:
Follow all Storage Highbury safety procedures, instructions, and training.
Use equipment, vehicles, tools, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.
Work in a way that minimises risk, particularly when handling, lifting, or transporting goods as part of storage and removals activities.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions without delay so that appropriate action can be taken.
Cooperate with managers and colleagues to support continuous improvement in health and safety arrangements.
Safe Storage and Handling of Goods
Storage Highbury will manage storage areas and goods handling processes to prevent injury, damage, or ill health. We will:
Ensure storage units, shelving, and racking are suitable, stable, and maintained in a safe condition.
Control the layout of storage spaces to provide safe access, clear walkways, and adequate lighting.
Implement safe systems of work for loading and unloading vehicles, including use of mechanical aids where appropriate.
Provide manual handling guidance and training to staff involved in moving customer goods, including heavy or awkward items.
Assess and manage risks from any hazardous or restricted items in line with our terms of service and relevant regulations.
Vehicle and Driving Safety
For removal and transport activities, Storage Highbury will ensure that vehicles and driving practices are safe and well managed. We will:
Maintain vehicles used for removals and transport in a roadworthy and safe condition, with appropriate inspections and servicing.
Require drivers to hold valid licences and receive suitable training for their roles and the types of vehicles operated.
Plan routes and schedules to reduce the risk of driver fatigue and to allow for safe loading, unloading, and securing of loads.
Ensure that all loads are secured, balanced, and within weight limits, and that customers are advised on safe packing where relevant.
Workplace Environment and Welfare
Storage Highbury is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment. We will:
Maintain the cleanliness and condition of all work areas, storage spaces, and customer access zones.
Provide suitable welfare facilities, including toilets, washing facilities, and drinking water for staff and, where appropriate, visitors.
Monitor environmental factors such as lighting, temperature, and ventilation to ensure they remain at safe and comfortable levels.
Take reasonable steps to prevent slips, trips, and falls, including prompt attention to spillages, obstructions, and uneven surfaces.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We recognise that competent and informed staff are essential to safe operations in storage and removals. Storage Highbury will:
Provide induction training for all new employees covering key health and safety procedures and emergency arrangements.
Offer role-specific training on manual handling, use of lifting equipment, safe driving, and other operational tasks.
Keep training records and arrange refresher training where necessary or when procedures change.
Ensure that work is appropriately supervised, particularly where staff are new, inexperienced, or performing higher-risk tasks.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
Storage Highbury operates clear procedures for reporting and investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses. We will:
Record all reportable incidents and investigate their causes to prevent recurrence.
Encourage prompt reporting of hazards and near misses to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
Maintain and communicate emergency procedures for fire, evacuation, first aid, and other foreseeable emergencies.
Provide appropriate first aid equipment and trained first aiders, and ensure all employees are familiar with emergency arrangements.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We believe that involving employees and contractors in health and safety is key to improving performance. Storage Highbury will:
Consult with employees on health and safety matters, including changes to working practices and procedures.
Encourage suggestions for improving safety in storage, handling, and removals operations.
Review health and safety performance regularly and update this policy and supporting procedures as needed.
Policy Review and Availability
This health and safety policy will be reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes to our operations or applicable requirements. The policy is available to all employees, contractors, and customers on request and forms part of the core governance arrangements for Storage Highbury.
By implementing and maintaining this policy, Storage Highbury aims to ensure that all storage and removals activities are carried out in a way that protects people, property, and the wider community.
